Cervicitis is inflammation or infection of the cervix, the thick tissue that connects the uterus with the vagina. It can be caused by various factors, such as sexually transmitted infections, allergies and irritation from physical or chemical causes. If you want to effectively treat this ailment, it is necessary for the gynecologist to identify the cause of the infection and prescribe specific treatments accordingly.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing Cervicitis
Step 1. Identify the symptoms
Some women have no symptoms; you may not even notice that you suffer from this disorder until your gynecologist notices the problems during a routine visit. Other women, however, may have symptoms, including:
- Unusual, foul-smelling, yellow or gray vaginal discharge
- Episodes of spotting between menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse;
- Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, especially during sexual intercourse;
- Sensation of burning or irritation when urinating.
Step 2. Allow the gynecologist to perform a pelvic exam
Symptoms of cervicitis can be easily confused with those of other disorders, so you can't think of diagnosing this pathology yourself. Contact your primary care physician or gynecologist if you suspect that you have cervicitis. If the doctor is of the same opinion, they will perform a standard pelvic exam, using the speculum to analyze the cervix.
If the visit confirms the suspicions, the gynecologist will invite you to perform further laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis and establish the cause. These tests may require a culture of cervical secretions or the cervical cells themselves, a blood test, and, if you are sexually active, also a test for sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
Step 3. Define the cause of cervicitis
With the right tests, your doctor will be able to identify the cause. There are two main types of cervicitis: infectious (also known as "acute") and non-infectious (also called "chronic"). Both can have different causes that require different treatment modalities.
- Infectious cervicitis is almost always caused by a virus, such as those that are sexually transmitted, the human papilloma virus, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. It is often treated with antiviral drugs.
- Non-infectious cervicitis can be caused by several factors, for example the presence of foreign bodies, such as the spiral or cervical cap, allergic reactions to latex due to the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, vaginal douching or other products that they can irritate the vagina and cervix. In this case the disorder is treated with antibiotics and with the removal of the responsible agents.
Part 2 of 4: Treating Infectious Cervicitis with Drugs
Step 1. Take the antibiotics prescribed for STDs
If the infection is caused by these diseases, such as the human papilloma virus, gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis, the gynecologist will prescribe antibiotics to eradicate it.
- If you have gonorrhea, your doctor may prescribe ceftriaxone, an antibiotic that must be taken in a single 250 mg injectable dose. If there are complications or if the infection is in an advanced stage, a stronger dose or taking other antibiotics by mouth may be needed. Your doctor may also recommend azithromycin or doxycycline, which are taken to treat chlamydia. This further therapy is necessary because patients often suffer from both diseases.
- If you suffer from chlamydia, your gynecologist will prescribe azithromycin, which must be taken in a single 1 gram dose orally. Alternatively, they may point you to other antibiotics, such as erythromycin, doxycycline, or ofloxacin, which are usually taken for 7 days. In addition, he may also recommend ceftriaxone to treat gonorrhea, as the two infections are often present together.
- If you have trichomoniasis, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, called Flagyl, which is given in a single dose.
- If you have syphilis, penicillin is the best treatment. A single dose is usually sufficient to cure it in the early stage, i.e. when the infection has been present for less than a year. In advanced cases, other injections or other treatments are needed. If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe azithromycin for you.
Step 2. Take your antiviral medications exactly as they are prescribed for you
If cervicitis is caused by a virus, such as genital herpes, the most suitable drugs are antiviral drugs that act directly on the pathogen.
If you have genital herpes, the first-line drug is acyclovir, which must be taken for five days. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe valaciclovir or famciclovir, which are taken for three and a day, respectively. If your infection is severe or has complications, other treatments and / or higher doses of medication will be needed. Keep in mind that genital herpes is a chronic disease, an infection that remains a lifetime and you will need to be treated continuously once you get it
Step 3. Make sure your sexual partners are also treated
If you have cervicitis and are sexually active, it is important that your partners also have tests to see if they have been infected with the same pathogen. Sexually transmitted infections can affect both men and women and present asymptomatically; if left untreated, they can infect again in the future. Make sure your previous partners are seen by the doctor.
Step 4. Follow all the gynecologist's instructions and take medications correctly
If you are pregnant or there is a possibility that you are expecting a baby, if you are breastfeeding or already taking drug therapy for other conditions, you must inform your doctor before he prescribes medicines. Call him in case of adverse drug reactions, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rashes.
Cervicitis can become a serious and long-lasting problem if it is not treated with the right medications and if they are not taken properly. If you follow the directions to the letter and the drug therapy is correct, you can recover completely. However, if you have genital herpes, be aware that you will have to manage this chronic infection throughout your life
Part 3 of 4: Treating Non-Infectious Cervicitis with Surgery
Step 1. Consider cryosurgery
If you have persistent non-infectious cervicitis, you may be able to manage the disorder with surgery, such as cryosurgery, also called cold therapy.
- This procedure uses very low temperature products to destroy abnormal cells. The operation consists of inserting a cryoprobe into the vagina, an instrument that contains liquid nitrogen. The compressed nitrogen makes the tool cold enough to destroy diseased cells. The procedure takes three minutes, waits for the cervix to thaw and then repeats for another three minutes.
- Cryosurgery is relatively painless, but you may experience cramps, bleeding, and, in severe cases, even infections and scarring. For two to three weeks after surgery, you may notice watery discharge, due to the detachment of dead cervical tissue.
Step 2. Consult your doctor about cauterization
This is another surgical treatment that can be performed in cases of persistent non-infectious cervicitis. This procedure is also called heat therapy.
- It is an outpatient procedure and consists of burning the inflamed or infected cells. You will be asked to lie on your back with your legs on the stirrups and the doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina to dilate it. Then the cervix is cleaned using a vaginal swab and a heated probe is inserted to destroy the diseased tissues.
- Sometimes anesthesia is performed to prevent possible discomfort during cauterization. You may experience cramps, bleeding, and watery discharge for up to four weeks. However, contact your gynecologist if the secretions smell bad or if the bleeding is severe.
Step 3. Ask your doctor for more information about laser therapy
This is the third possible surgical procedure to treat non-infectious but persistent cervicitis.
- Typically this treatment is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia and involves the use of an intense laser beam or light to burn / destroy the abnormal tissues. Again, the speculum is inserted to widen the vagina. The laser beam is aimed directly at the diseased tissues.
- Anesthesia allows you to reduce discomfort during the procedure. After that, you may experience cramps, bleeding, and watery discharge for two to three weeks. Call your doctor if the discharge smells bad or if bleeding or pelvic pain increases.
Part 4 of 4: Treating Symptoms at Home
Step 1. Avoid sexual intercourse
You cannot cure cervicitis without medical assistance, especially if the disease is infectious. However, you can take some steps to experience less discomfort and improve the effectiveness of prescribed medications. It is important to refrain from sexual intercourse until the gynecologist confirms that you have completely eradicated the infection.
If cervicitis is infectious, you must avoid spreading the bacteria or viruses; however, even if it is not infectious, it is important not to have sex as it may further irritate the cervix and aggravate symptoms
Step 2. Try not to irritate the vagina
Do not use products that could cause more irritation or inflammation to the whole area, such as tampons or douches.
- Use regular pads, rather than internal ones;
- Avoid scented lotions, soaps, cleansers, and sprays, as they can cause more irritation when combined with other products.
- Do not use the diaphragm as a method of birth control.
Step 3. Wear comfortable, cotton underwear
Avoid tight, constricting clothing made of synthetic fabric, as they cause irritation and can retain moisture in the genital area. Check that the bedding you choose is 100% cotton to allow for proper breathability and keep the area clean.
