Cervicitis

What is cervicitis?

Cervicitis is a condition where your cervix becomes inflamed (red and swollen). Your cervix is found at the bottom part of your uterus (womb). Your cervix is part of your female reproductive organs. Cervicitis may become a chronic condition meaning you have it many times in your life. The condition may also be persistent, which means that your symptoms do not go away after treatment. Treatment may decrease your symptoms such as vaginal discharge and bleeding. Treatment may cure your condition and prevent other problems with your female organs.

What causes cervicitis?

In some cases, the exact cause of cervicitis may be unclear. Most cases are caused by following:

• Infections: The following infections from germs called bacteria or viruses may be causing your condition:
  
  
  • Sexually transmitted infections: Cervicitis is commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are diseases that occur when you have sex with an infected partner. Ask your caregiver for more information about STIs.
    
    
  • Non-sexually transmitted infections: Non-sexually transmitted infections may start in your vagina and spread up into your cervix. The infection may also have started in your other female organs.
  
  
• Chemicals: Putting chemicals, such as spermicides, into your vagina may cause your cervix to swell. Spermicides kill sperm and are often used to prevent pregnancy.
  
  
• Normal vaginal bacteria: Different types of bacteria normally live in your vagina. When you have an overgrowth of normal bacteria, you may get a vaginal infection leading to cervicitis.
  
  
• Vaginal trauma: Putting items into your vagina that may cause an injury could lead to cervicitis.

What increases my risk for cervicitis?

• Age: Your risk for cervicitis increases as you get older.
  
  
• Douching: Douching can upset the normal balance of bacteria that live in your vagina and cause a vaginal infection. Douching is when you squirt a cleansing liquid into your vagina.
  
  
• Many sex partners: Having sex with many different people increases your risk. This includes having more than one sex partner at a time, or changing partners often. Having many sex partners also includes having a sexual partner who is having sex with other people.
  
  
• Past STI: You may be at a higher risk if you have had a STI in the past.
  
  
• Unprotected sex: Not using a condom during sex may increase your risk for an STI.

What are the signs and symptoms of cervicitis?

With cervicitis, you may have no signs and symptoms. If you do have signs or symptoms, you may have any of the following:

• Fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• Green or yellow discharge from your vagina. The discharge may have a bad smell.
  
  
• Pain in your stomach area.
  
  
• Pain with urination.
  
  
• Pain during or after having sex.
  
  
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting in between your monthly periods, such as during or after sex.
  
  
• Vaginal itching.

How is cervicitis diagnosed?

Your caregiver may ask you questions about your health and sexual history. Tell your caregiver what symptoms you have, and when they started. Tell your caregiver if you are taking any medicines. Tell him about any STIs that you or your partner may have, or have had in the past. Your caregiver may also ask about the health of your current or past sexual partners. Your caregiver may do a pelvic exam to check your vagina and cervix. Using a cotton swab, he may gently rub your cervix to check if it bleeds easily. You may also need any of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. This may include blood tests to see if you have an infection and what germ is causing it. Blood tests can also give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Culture: A sample of discharge from your vagina or cervix may be taken for testing. Your caregiver may get a sample by rubbing a cotton swab on or around your cervix. Your caregiver may do this test to learn what germ is causing your condition.
  
  
• Urine tests: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. A urine test may help caregivers learn what germ is causing your condition.

How is cervicitis treated?

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotic medicines fight infection caused by bacteria. Your caregiver may have you start this medicine before your test results are back. Taking the antibiotics right away may help prevent worsening of your symptoms. Tell your caregiver if you are pregnant, or if you have allergies to any antibiotics.
    
    
  • Antivirals: Antiviral medicine is given to fight the virus that may be causing your condition.
  
  
• Procedures:
  
  
  • Ablation: Ablation of your cervix is done to destroy the cells causing your condition. You may need ablation if you have chronic or persistent cervicitis. Ask your caregiver for more information about ablation.
    
    
  • Ultrasound therapy: During ultrasound therapy, a beam of heat is used to kill the bacteria causing your condition. Ultrasound therapy may also improve the blood supply to your cervix to help it heal.

What problems may occur with cervicitis?

• Medicines used to treat your cervicitis may cause an allergic response. A medicine allergy may cause you to have a skin rash or trouble breathing. Ablation treatments may cause bleeding and scarring of your cervix. Scarring may cause your cervix to narrow. Cervicitis caused by a STI may lead to an infection in your uterus or pelvic inflammatory disease.
  
  
• If you are pregnant, the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby in your womb may get infected. Infected fluid may cause you to give birth before your due date. Babies born too early are at risk of being very small and sick. If you have HIV, you are at an increased risk of giving the disease to others. Cervicitis may also cause changes in your cervical tissue and increase your risk for cervical cancer.

How can I decrease my chance of getting cervicitis?

• Do not put chemicals into your vagina. Do not douche unless caregivers tell you to. If you have sex, do not use spermicides if they caused symptoms in the past. Do not use any vaginal products that have chemicals in them.
  
  
• Do not have unprotected sex. If you have sex, always use a latex condom. If you are allergic to latex, use a non-latex condom. Do not have sex with someone who has, or is being treated for a STI.
  
  
• Limit your sexual partners. If you are having sex, having one sexual partner may decrease your risk of getting an STI.
  
  
• Talk to your partners. If you have a STI, tell your recent sexual partners. Tell them to see a caregiver for testing and treatment to help stop the spread of infection.

Where can I find more information?

Contact the following:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You are spotting blood from your vagina and it is not time for your period.
  
  
• You have yellow or green discharge from your vagina.
  
  
• You have pain in your stomach area.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You think or know you are pregnant.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have bleeding from your vagina that does not stop and it is not time for your period.
  
  
• Your symptoms do not go away 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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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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