Cervicitis

Cervicitis is irritation and swelling, called inflammation, of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

Symptoms of cervicitis may include bleeding between menstrual periods, pain during sex or during a pelvic exam, and atypical vaginal discharge. But some people have no symptoms with cervicitis.

Sometimes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea causes cervicitis. Cervicitis caused by an STI needs treatment. Other causes of cervicitis may not need treatment.

Most often, cervicitis causes no symptoms. You may learn you have the condition after you have a pelvic exam for another reason. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Fluid from the vagina that's not typical, called discharge. Not all vaginal discharge means you have a condition. Some vaginal discharge is expected.
• Urinating often and with pain.
• Pain during sex.
• Bleeding between menstrual periods.
• Bleeding from the vagina after sex, not linked to aa menstrual period.

When to see a doctor

See your healthcare professional if you have:

• Fluid from the vagina that isn't typical.
• Bleeding from the vagina that isn't a period.
• Pain during sex.

Possible causes of cervicitis include:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexual contact spreads infections that can cause cervicitis. Common STIs that cause cervicitis include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes.
• Reactions and allergies. A reaction to chemicals, such as those in some birth control methods, or an allergy to latex in condoms may lead to cervicitis. A reaction to feminine hygiene products, such as douches or feminine deodorants, also can cause cervicitis.
• Bacterial overgrowth. An overgrowth of some of the bacteria that are already in the vagina can lead to cervicitis. This overgrowth is called bacterial vaginosis.

You're at greater risk of cervicitis if you:

• Have high-risk sex. This may include having sex without protection, having sex with a partner who's at high risk or having more than one partner.
• Began having sex at an early age.
• Have a history of STIs.

Complications of cervicitis may include the infection spreading into the uterus.

If gonorrhea or chlamydia cause cervicitis, the infection may spread to the uterine lining and the fallopian tubes. This is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If not treated, PID can cause problems having a baby.

Cervicitis also can raise the risk of getting HIV from a sex partner who has HIV.

To reduce your risk of cervicitis from sexually transmitted infections, use condoms every time you have sex. Condoms help prevent the spread of STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, which can lead to cervicitis. Being in a long-term relationship in which both you and your partner don't have sex with anyone else can lower your risk of an STI.

To diagnose cervicitis, your healthcare professional does a physical exam. The exam includes:

• A pelvic exam. Your healthcare professional checks your pelvic organs for swelling and tenderness. An instrument placed in the vagina to hold it open, called a speculum, helps your healthcare professional see the upper, lower and side walls of the vagina and the cervix.
• Getting a sample of fluid. Your healthcare professional uses a small cotton swab or a brush to remove a sample of cervical and vaginal fluid. The sample goes to a lab to test for infections. A sample of your urine also may go to a lab for testing.

You won't need treatment for cervicitis caused by a reaction to products such as spermicide or feminine hygiene products. Instead, you stop using the product causing the reaction to clear the irritation.

But for cervicitis caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), both you and your partner will need treatment, often with antibiotic medicine. Healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics for STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.

Your healthcare professional may offer antiviral medicine if you have genital herpes. This helps cut the time you have cervicitis symptoms. But there is no cure for herpes. Herpes is a long-term condition that you can pass to your sexual partner.

Your healthcare professional also may suggest repeat testing for cervicitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia to be sure the infection has cleared.

To keep from passing an infection to your partner, wait to have sex until you complete the treatment your healthcare professional prescribes.

If you have symptoms of cervicitis, make an appointment with your main healthcare professional or a doctor who specializes in the female reproductive system, called a gynecologist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Take note of:

• Your symptoms and when they began.
• Your sex partners and when you had sex.
• Your allergies.
• All medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including doses.
• Questions you have.

Some basic questions include:

• How did I get this condition?
• Do I need medicine?
• Is there anything I can get without a prescription to treat my condition?
• Does my partner also need tests or treatment?
• What should I do if my symptoms return after treatment?
• How can I keep from getting cervicitis again?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional may ask you questions, such as:

• Are you sexually active?
• Have you or your partner ever had a sexually transmitted infection?
• Do you have pain or bleeding during sex?
• Do you douche or use feminine hygiene products?
• Do you use a birth control method that kills sperm, called spermicide?
• Might you be pregnant?

What to do in the meantime

Until you see your healthcare professional:

• Don't have sex.
• Use pads, not tampons.
• Don't douche.