Cervicitis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Cervicitis
is inflammation of your cervix. Your cervix is at the bottom of your uterus where it opens into your vagina.
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What causes or increases your risk for cervicitis:
In some cases, the exact cause of cervicitis may not be clear. Most cases are caused by the following:
- Douching, which causes normal vaginal bacteria to be out of balance
- An infection in your vagina or reproductive organs, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Chemicals, such as spermicides used to kill sperm, latex in condoms
- Items placed in your vagina, such as a tampon, diaphragm, or cervical cap
- Cancer, or radiation used to treat cancer
- Older age, which causes your estrogen levels decrease
- Multiple sex partners or unprotected sex
Signs and symptoms of cervicitis:
You may have no signs and symptoms, or you may have any of the following:
- Vaginal itching
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting in between your monthly periods or during or after sex
- Green or yellow vaginal discharge that may smell foul
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain with urination
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
Seek care immediately if:
- You have bleeding from your vagina that does not stop and it is not time for your period.
Call your doctor or gynecologist if:
- You are spotting blood from your vagina and it is not time for your period.
- You have yellow or green discharge coming from your vagina after you start treatment.
- You have abdominal pain.
- You have a fever.
- You think or know you are pregnant.
- Your symptoms do not go away 2 to 4 weeks after treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment
may include any of the following:
- Antibiotics helps kill bacteria causing cervicitis. Take them as directed.
- An ablation may be used to treat cervicitis that continues or comes back after treatment. Your healthcare provider may freeze, burn, or scrape the top layer of skin from your cervix.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Activity:
You may need to stop having sex until after you finish taking medicine to treat your condition. If you had other procedures to treat your condition, you may need to stop having sex for some time. Ask your healthcare provider or gynecologist when you can have sex or return to your normal activities.
Prevent cervicitis:
- Get treatment before you continue having sex. Your risk for an STI is lower if you have fewer sex partners. If you have an STI, tell all recent sex partners. Tell them to see a healthcare provider for testing and treatment to help stop the spread of infection. Do not have sex with someone who has or is being treated for an STI.
- Use a condom during sex. Use a latex condom every time you have sex. If you are allergic to latex, use a nonlatex condom.
- Do not use products that can cause irritation. Do not douche unless healthcare providers tell you to. Do not use spermicides if they caused symptoms in the past. Use sanitary napkins instead of tampons.
Follow up with your doctor or gynecologist as directed:
You may need to return to have your cervix checked or more tests done. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
For more information:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta , GA 30333
Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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