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Cervicitis

Cervicitis Overview

Cervicitis, a common infection of the lower genital tract, is the inflammation of the cervix (this is the neck and outlet of a woman's uterus).

Inflammation may be caused by infection from certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or by injury to the cervix from a foreign object inserted in the vagina, from birth control devices such as the cervical cap or a diaphragm, or by cancer.

Many cases of cervicitis go untreated because women who have the infection do not know they do. Often there are no obvious symptoms.

If untreated, cervicitis may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, spontaneous abortion, cervical cancer, or other complications during the delivery of a baby.
Cervicitis often develops in young women, younger than age 25 years who are not married but sexually active. In fact, more than half of all women may develop cervicitis at some point in their adult lives.

Cervicitis Causes

A vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted disease (such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) can cause cervicitis.
HIV, infection with the herpes virus ( genital herpes), and human papillomavirus (HPV, genital warts) are additional STDs (also now called STIs) that put you at risk for developing cervicitis.
You are at increased risk if you have sexual relations at an early age or engage in high-risk sexual behavior with many partners or have a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
Injury or irritation (a reaction to the chemicals in douches and contraceptives or a forgotten tampon) also can cause the disease. The objects may simply cause irritation and make the cervix more susceptible to infection.
You may have an allergy to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms that leads to cervicitis.

Cervicitis Symptoms

In the mildest form of cervicitis, you may not notice any symptoms at all.

The first symptom of cervicitis likely will be a vaginal discharge that becomes more pronounced immediately following your menstrual period.
Other signs include the following:
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Irritation of the external genitals
- Pain during intercourse
- Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse or between periods
- A burning sensation during urination
- Lower back pain or pain low in the abdomen, sometimes felt only during sexual intercourse
A more severe case of cervicitis can cause a profuse, almost puslike, discharge with an unpleasant odor, accompanied by intense vaginal itchiness or abdominal pain.
If the infection gets into your system, you may also have fever, nausea, and abdominal pain.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms:
- A yellow puslike vaginal discharge
- Difficult or painful urination
- Increased frequency in urination
- Pelvic pain
- Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse or between periods
- Pain low in the abdomen, sometimes felt only during sexual intercourse
Go immediately to a hospital's emergency department if you have a great deal of vaginal discharge, fevers, chills, nausea and vomiting, severe abdominal pain, dizziness, or any other symptoms that you think might be an emergency.