cervicitis

A cervix disorder is a problem with your cervix. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which opens into the vagina (birth canal). The cervix has a small opening that expands during childbirth. It also allows menstrual blood to leave your body.

You may not have any symptoms of a cervix disorder, but routine pelvic exams and a Pap smear test can help determine if you may need treatment.

Cervix disorders can include:

• Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix.
• Cervicitis is swelling of the cervix. An infection usually causes it, but it can also be caused by skin irritation. Treatment can help you avoid potential complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Cervical incompetence (also called cervical insufficiency) can happen during pregnancy. The opening of your cervix widens too early. This may cause you to give birth too soon, or you could lose the fetus.
• Cervical polyps and cysts are fleshy or fluid-filled growths on your cervix. These growths are usually benign (not cancer). They are more common during your reproductive years, especially after age 20.

You are more likely to develop a cervix disorder if:

• You've had a previous cervical procedure or surgery.
• You've had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
• You used a latex condom or a feminine product such as a spermicide or douche that irritated the skin of your vagina.
• You left something in your vagina too long, such as a diaphragm, tampon, or cervical cap, and it caused irritation.
• You don't consistently use a condom when you have sex, or you have multiple sex partners.

You may not know that something is wrong since cervix disorders may not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may vary based on the cervix disorder.

Symptoms can include:

• Vaginal bleeding that's not normal for you, such as bleeding between menstrual periods
• Pain during sex or a pelvic exam
• Abnormal vaginal discharge

If you are pregnant, a few signs of an incompetent cervix could include light vaginal bleeding, a feeling of pelvic pressure, or mild cramps. But you may not have any signs.

Even if you don't have symptoms, your health care provider may notice changes to the cells of your cervix during a pelvic exam. Your provider may look for:

• Redness or inflammation (swelling) of your cervix or vaginal walls
• Vaginal discharge or strong odor

Your provider may perform a Pap test to look for changes in your cervix.

The treatment for cervix disorders depends on the cause. It might include antibiotics or stopping using a product that causes skin irritation.

If you have had an incompetent cervix in the past, you might take medicine or have ultrasound imaging tests to check how your pregnancy is going.

You can take steps to prevent some cervix disorders. This can include to:

• Use a condom every time you have sex. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STIs. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
• Have regular pelvic exams.
• Get tested for STIs as needed.
• Avoid using personal care products that may cause skin irritation to your vagina.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. This is because some STIs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact.

Some STIs can be passed to the fetus during pregnancy or during childbirth. Other ways that some STIs may be spread include during breastfeeding, through blood transfusions, or by sharing needles.

There are more than 20 types of STIs, including:

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• HIV
• HPV
• Pubic lice
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Most STIs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If an STI is passed to a baby, it can cause serious health problems.

STIs don't always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. So it is possible to have an infection and not know it. And even without symptoms, STIs can still be harmful and may be passed on during sex.

If there are symptoms, they could include:

• Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
• Sores or warts on the genital area
• Painful or frequent urination (peeing)
• Itching and redness in the genital area
• Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
• Abnormal vaginal odor
• Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Fever

If you are sexually active, you should talk to your health care provider about your risk for STIs and whether you need to be tested. This is especially important since many STIs do not usually cause symptoms.

Some STIs may be diagnosed during a physical exam or through STI testing. Some tests involve a microscopic examination of a sore or fluid swabbed from the vagina, penis, or anus. Blood tests can diagnose other types of STIs.

Antibiotics can treat STIs that are caused by bacteria or parasites. There is no cure for STIs caused by viruses, but antiviral medicines can often help with the symptoms and lower your risk of spreading the infection.

It's important to get treatment if you have an STI. Some types of STIs can cause serious health problems if they are not treated.

The surest way to protect yourself against STIs is to not have sex.

If you do decide to have sex, you can lower your risk of getting an STI by:

• Having you and your partner tested for STIs before having sex.
• Using a condom every time you have sex. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STIs. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
• Reducing your number of sex partners. You might even consider "mutual monogamy" with just one partner. This means that you agree to be sexually active only with them, and they agree to be sexually active only with you. But first you should both get tested to make sure that you don't already have an STI.
• Getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B.

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The first sign of a problem with the uterus may be bleeding between periods or after sex. Causes can include hormones, thyroid problems, fibroids, polyps, cancer, infection, or pregnancy.

Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes birth control pills treat hormonal imbalances. If a thyroid problem is the cause, treating it may also stop the bleeding. If you have cancer or hyperplasia, an overgrowth of normal cells in the uterus, you may need surgery.

With two other uterine problems, tissue that normally lines the uterus grows where it is not supposed to. In endometriosis, it grows outside the uterus. In adenomyosis, it grows in the uterus's outside walls. Pain medicine may help. Other treatments include hormones and surgery.