What is cervicitis?

Cervicitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the cervix. The cervix is located at the lower part of the uterus which opens into the vagina. There are millions of women that develop cervicitis in the United States every year. More than 50 percent of women will be affected by the condition at some point during their life. Cervicitis can be acute or chronic, meaning it can occur suddenly for a short period of time, or it can last for several months.

Cervicitis usually does not cause any signs or symptoms. Many women only figure out that they have the condition when they visit a doctor and have a Pap test or a biopsy done for another condition. However, if you do have signs and symptoms, they may include large amounts of vaginal discharge that appears green, brown or yellow and pus-like and may have a foul smell, frequent, painful urination, pain during intercourse, or vaginal bleeding after intercourse that is not related to having a menstrual period. It is important to see your doctor if you experience persistent, unusual vaginal discharge, non-menstrual vaginal bleeding, or pain during intercourse.

What causes cervicitis? Cervicitis may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, allergic reaction, or a bacterial overgrowth. In most cases, the bacterial and viral infections that cause cervicitis are transmitted by a sexually transmitted infection. The most common sexually transmitted infections that may cause cervicitis include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes. Cervicitis may also be caused by having an allergy to either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, or feminine hygiene products, such as douches or feminine deodorants. Cervicitis may also be caused by a bacterial overgrowth of some of the bacteria that are normally present in the vagina.

Your risk for developing cervicitis increases if you participate in high-risk sexual behavior (such as unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners or sex with someone who engages in high-risk behaviors), started having sex at an early age, or have a history of sexually transmitted infections.

Diagnosing cervicitis involves your doctor performing a pelvic exam where they will check the pelvic organs for areas of swelling and tenderness and placing a speculum in the vagina to view the upper part of the vagina and the cervix. The doctor may also take a specimen collection which involves using a cotton swab to remove a sample of cervical and vaginal fluid which is sent to the lab for analysis.

If cervicitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, treatment may include an antibiotic medication or an antiviral medication.