Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.

Cervix is the bottom, narrow part of the womb or uterus, shaped like a 1-inch long cylinder forming a canal between the vagina and the womb. The role of the cervix is to keep bacteria out of the uterus and to “clean” the vagina by producing discharge. Also, the cervix is a protector during pregnancy and childbirth, the menstrual cycle, and plays a key role when it comes to fertility in general. 

For all of the abovementioned reasons, it is of the utmost importance to take good care of your reproductive health and to have regular check-ups of the cervix in order to avoid conditions such as cervicitis, i.e., inflamed cervix and others.

Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix where the condition is followed by a vaginal discharge, bleeding, cervix pain, and other unpleasant symptoms. If you experience any of these signs, you must ask for advice and help. Many different OBGYN services in Boca Raton can help you answer questions and perform additional examinations in order to avoid serious consequences for your reproductive health. 

What Are Cervicitis Causes and Symptoms? 

A few factors can cause inflamed cervix or cervicitis:

  • infection
  • chemical irritation
  • physical irritation from tampons, diaphragms, cervical caps, etc. 
  • allergy to latex rubber, douches
  • bacterial vaginosis (bacterial imbalance)
  • hormonal imbalance (low estrogen or high progesterone)
  • injury to the cells lining the cervix  
  • sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes, mycoplasma, and alike
  • cancer or treatments for cancer 

Cervicitis can be acute (caused by an infection) or chronic (caused by irritation). It is a very common condition, and studies show that almost half of all adult women will have an inflamed cervix at one point in their lives. 

It is very important to find the exact cause of the inflammation in order to start the proper treatment in a timely fashion. Suppose the cause is, for example, a cervical infection. In that case, it can develop beyond the cervix to other reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes or the womb and spread throughout the abdominal cavity causing severe damage and issues with fertility. 

When it comes to cervicitis symptoms, it is interesting to mention that many women do not have any symptoms. If, on the other hand, the cervicitis symptoms do occur, they can be the following:

  • Yellow, white, or gray abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Unpleasant vaginal odor
  • Cervix pain during sexual intercourse
  • Light vaginal bleeding
  • Bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Pressure in the pelvis 
  • Lower back pain 
  • Vaginal irritation
  • Painful and frequent urination
  • Abdominal and pelvic pain
  • Fever 

To be absolutely certain that you have cervicitis, you will need to schedule a doctor’s appointment and have a physical check-up. If you have previously suffered from an STD, it is essential to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. 

Beautiful Young Woman Suffering From Backache in Office

Who Can Get It?

Generally, every woman can get cervicitis because there are different causes of this condition. When it comes to cervical infections, as an acute form of the condition, the risk is higher with people who are more sexually active, who have had cervicitis before, and who have a history of STIs and STDs.

Prevention of Cervicitis 

When it comes to the topics of prevention, there are specific steps you can take in order to decrease your chances of getting inflammation of the cervix. The steps are:

  • Always use protection during sexual intercourse
  • Try to put a limitation on the number of sexual partners
  • If your partner has some issues with reproductive health, try to refrain from sexual intercourse
  • Pick your feminine hygiene products carefully, following any potential allergies you might have
  • In case you already have an STD, seek advice from the doctor on whether your partner should also get treated 
  • In case you have diabetes, control your blood sugar continuously 

Is an Inflamed Cervix Contagious?

Yes, this infection is contagious and can be passed to your chosen sexual partners. If you have a cervicitis diagnosis, it is important to get proper treatment and follow the healing process until you are completely free of any symptoms. After that, doctors advise not to engage in sexual intercourse at least ten days after you become symptom-free to protect others from getting an infection. 

Potential Complications 

If cervicitis is not treated promptly, it can lead to complications such as:

  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Infertility
  • Pelvic inflammation 
  • Ectopic pregnancy

How to Diagnose Cervicitis?

Most often, doctors diagnose this condition during a pelvic exam because it allows them to look closely at the cervix. Also, vaginal fluid can be taken from the cervix for additional tests such as the test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, and alike. The doctor can also take a Pap smear in order to analyze cervical cells for any potential malformations. 

The doctors will look for redness or blood on the cervix, blood on the vagina, inflammation on the walls of the vagina, or any discharge. 

Apart from the physical examination, the medical professionals can ask you questions about your sexual activities, such as the number of partners in the past, protected sexual intercourse, and contraception used. All these questions help diagnose cervicitis, so you need to be open and honest in sharing this information with your chosen doctor. 

Patient With a Gynecologist During the Consultation in the Gynecological Office

Treatment Strategies 

The treatment approach for cervicitis completely depends on the cause of the condition. Antibiotics have been proven to very successfully treat acute cervicitis. Bacterial infections are treated with either antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medication in order to eliminate the infection. Besides treating the condition, antibiotics prevent the infection from spreading into the fallopian tubes, uterus, pelvis, and abdominal cavity, causing severe issues. 

If the cause of the condition is not an infection, but some other factors, some commonly shared options are referred to as “natural treatments.” Some of these treatments are:

  • Probiotic supplementation such as yogurts or other forms of probiotics 
  • Garlic which has a strong antibacterial influence 
  • Specific herbs which are said to have anti-inflammatory effects 
  • Green tea
  • Avoiding irritation by not using tampons, scented soaps, and douches 
  • Wearing cotton underwear that is loose and reduces moisture and bacteria buildup

All the abovementioned treatments are still being explored and cannot be a substitute for medical care. 

We Are Here!

In every blog post, we try to offer as much information as possible, but if this is not enough for you and you have any additional doubts and uncertainties, call us. We are happy to offer solutions and advice because cervicitis, like all other reproductive health issues, is of immense importance for all of us! 

Dr. Ellman is a Board Certified OBGYN who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. His office, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, is located in Boca Raton, Florida at West Boca Medical Center. Dr. Ellman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he received his medical degree. He went on to intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston- an affiliate of Harvard Medical School- and continued his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York- an affiliate of Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

Published On: August 7th, 2022