A cervical infection takes place when bacteria or virus infect the cervix, which is situated at the lower part of the uterus atop the canal of the vagina.
The infection may be caused by irritation or any sexually transmitted disease. The treatment and symptoms may vary on the basis of the reason which caused the infection.
Often, the lack of appropriate treatment can lead to severe medical complications.
Causes of cervical infection
Cervical infections are usually caused by STD or sexually transmitted disease with the vaginal and uterine infections easily spreading into the cervix. Some of the diseases include Chlamydia and gonorrhea, although chances of vulnerability are enhanced with the human papillomavirus and genital herpes.
Infection in the cervix is hardly created always by sexually transmitted diseases, but irritation on the cervical skin is an added factor too.
Once the skin of the cervical region is irritated, it gets more susceptible to infection. This is why the infections in the cervix are often resulted by allergies to spermicidal creams or latex, bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections. Use of intrauterine devices, douching or leaving on tampons for a long while may lead to infections frequently.
Irritations or mild infections in the cervical region can be asymptomatic. If a cervical infection is sexually transmitted like Chlamydia, it may seriously damage the reproductive organs, while at the same time being asymptomatic. Symptoms of cervical infections usually comprise foul smelling and excessive vaginal discharge which can look grey or yellow.
With excessive urination, sexual intercourse and urination can be painful. Intercourse can be accompanied with vaginal bleeding, which can happen during menopause or between your periods.
Diagnosis
A cervical infection is usually diagnosed through a Pap smear or pelvic examination where the doctor visually examines the genitals for changed appearance. With the Pap smear, the doctor can sample your vaginal fluids which are lab tested for detecting the presence of viruses or bacteria. Cervical infections created by bacterial influences are often treated with antibiotics; those resulted by viral influences are treated with antiviral drugs.
In case the infection is not caused by an STD, no treatment may be required. Regular causes of cervical infections like bacterial vaginosis or vaginal yeast infection can resolve spontaneously. If not, they are treated with OTC medication.
Anyone suffering from a cervical infection should seek medical advice as to the symptoms. Untreated cervical infections may lead to complications like ectopic pregnancy, PID or pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, chronic pain, miscarriage, cervical cancer and birthing problems.
Antibiotics may be cure bacterial cervical infections. At times, if the case is complicated, doctors may need to work on certain factors for locating a suitable treatment option, with a specialist in infectious diseases deciding the stages of treatment.
In case the previous rounds of treatments and antibiotics seem to be ineffectual, surgery can be required. In case the cervix remains swollen and red, the specific region can be cauterized with the help of heat through a process called electro coagulation. The area of the cervical infection can be frozen through cryotherapy as well. Laser treatment approaches can also be taken up as a possible form of cure.
