Cervical erosion - a benign pathological process on the surface of the cervix, which consists in partial or complete destruction of the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the cervix. There are also inherent erosion of the cervix - a condition in which a bright pink columnar epithelium of the cervical canal opens onto the vaginal surface of the neck, covered with pale pink stratified squamous epithelium, creating the appearance of erosion.

Types of cervical erosion

Cervical erosion generally occurs on a background of inflammation and injury genital cervix. As a result, long flowing inflammatory process caused by any infectious agent (gonococci, Trichomonas, staphylococci, and others), a pathological secretion produced from the cervical canal, causing maceration (Moisture), eating disorders, numbness and detachment of the surface layers of stratified squamous epithelium of the vaginal surface of the cervix uterus. So gradually around the external os of the cervical canal is formed by erosion.

If the cause of the injury is the erosion of the cervix (e.g., at birth) occurs eversion endocervix (ectropion) with subsequent formation of erosion and infection. This happens due to the fact that the columnar epithelium can actively protect the surface of the cervix infection control.

Erosion, which arose as a result of infection or injury to the cervix are called true. True cervical erosion can occur for a short time, up to three weeks. Thereafter, erosion or disappears or goes into pseudo.

Misleading erosion (pseudo) is formed as a result of displacement of the columnar epithelium of the cervical canal to the eroded surface of the squamous epithelium covering the vaginal surface of the cervix. A single-layer columnar epithelium of the cervical canal goes to the outer part of the cervix, and begins to grow under the influence of the acidic environment of the vagina and the constant irritation of inflammatory secretions. That is happening spread the fire of cervical erosion.

Misleading erosion may be the initial stage of the true healing of erosion, and if supported by the inflammatory process, pseudo can exist for a long time. Most often, it is pseudo-called cervical erosion. This process is often supported by hormonal disorders. Thus, estrogen deficiency leads to a decrease in beneficial vaginal flora The microflora of the vagina: purity   and reduce its ability to cleanse itself. When pseudo hormonal disorders (hormonal cervical erosion) is prone to long-term persistent course as long as there is no hormonal imbalance is eliminated. On the surface it may appear papillary proliferation and areas of dysplasia Dysplasia - what is it?   (degeneration of cells).

According to the structure of pseudo-divided into follicular or glandular (more common and have a lot thicker in their cysts and ducts) and papillary (with growths of inflamed mucous membrane of the cervix). Occasionally the columnar epithelium grows in depth and forms a branching glandular passages reminiscent gland mucosa cervical canal. This glandular cervical erosion. Pseudo result of the inflammatory process, but it is supported by themselves, leading to the development of pathological closed circle.

Finally, there is an inherent erosion or ectopia (offset) columnar epithelium of the cervical canal to its normal vaginal surface covered by stratified squamous epithelium. Since the columnar epithelium has a bright pink color, against a background of pale pink stratified squamous it looks like erosion. Erosion of the cervix in girls and adolescents usually have an innate character and age-regress.

What are the symptoms of cervical erosion

Erosion of the cervix often does not manifest itself. But as the cause of erosion is a long flowing infectious-inflammatory process, it appears different kind of vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge: normal or disease? . Select with cervical erosion depend on the nature of the infection: gonorrhea when they are festering, with candidiasis - cheesy and so on.

Deep cervical erosion sometimes appears a little bleeding. Bleeding during cervical erosion can be triggered by a variety of injuries (during sexual intercourse, medical procedures, and so on). Pain in the cervical erosion is not a characteristic feature, but sometimes extensive cervical erosion can cause pain, such as through sexual contact.

Symptoms of cervical erosion can be so mild that a woman simply did not notice. When cervical erosion symptoms in most cases detected during the inspection of a gynecologist.

Hysteroscopy - a way that allows the doctor to see the inside of the uterus. To do this, use a tool called a hysteroscope. The tip of it is introduced into the vagina and moves through the cervix into the uterus. At the end of the hysteroscope light source and the camera, so the doctor can see the endometrium (inner lining of uterus) on the screen.

Hysteroscopy is carried out in case of unexpected bleeding or if bleeding occurs in women after menopause. Also, the survey is used in determining the cause of infertility. Hysteroscopy can be used to remove tumors in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps.

The doctor may take a sample of tissue for examination (biopsy).

Why do hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy do in the following cases:

• To find out the cause of severe cramping or abnormal bleeding. The doctor will cauterize the bleeding source.
• To establish whether the cause of infertility The causes of infertility - heredity and lifestyle   size or shape of the uterus or the appearance of scar tissue therein.
• Explore the passage from the uterus into the fallopian tubes. If the pipes are impassable, the doctor will be able to open it with a special tool.
• To find out the cause of recurrent miscarriages.
• Detect and reinstall the intrauterine device.
• Find and remove small fibroids or polyps.
• Determine endometrial cancer.
• Remove endometrial abnormalities.
• Install a contraceptive implant before the fallopian tubes Fallopian tubes: an important part of the reproductive system   as a method of permanent sterilization.

How to prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
• Taking any medication
• Is allergic to any medications
• There is a problem with the blood or you are taking blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or warfarin
• Being treated for a vaginal, cervical, or pelvic infection in the past six weeks,
• You have lung problems or heart

Hysteroscopy is better to do when you are not menstruating. If you are planning a pregnancy, it is better to do hysteroscopy before ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible? .

Do not shower, do not use tampons or vaginal suppositories for twenty-four hours prior to hysteroscopy.

You may be given sedatives or make anesthesia (local or general).

If you have to general anesthesia, you should stop eating and drinking for some time before the survey. The doctor will give you the necessary instructions.

Arrange to have someone drive you home after the test if you are given sedatives.

Prior to the survey you will need to sign a consent form. Prior to this, ask your doctor all your questions.

Also, you may be given additional instructions about what to do before the operation.

How it's done

Hysteroscopy is usually spends a gynecologist in the operating room. Typically, the patient can go home the same day. In some cases hysteroscopy may be performed in a doctor's office.

• Before the procedure, you may be given medication to make you relaxed and not feel pain.
• Before performing hysteroscopy you will be asked to empty your bladder and undress. Then you lie on a table to explore with their feet.
• The doctor enters the vagina tool - expander that gently expand the vagina, allowing the doctor to see the vagina and cervix. The vagina cleanse a special tool.
• The hysteroscope will be put into the vagina gently, pushing it into the uterus. A liquid or gas will be put into the uterus through the hysteroscope, the doctor can see more clearly the endometrium. The doctor sees the enlarged image on the screen.
• If you need a biopsy or other procedure, the doctor puts a small tools through the hysteroscope.

Hysteroscopy takes about an hour, if there is no need for additional treatments.

What do you feel

If you were given a sedative or local anesthesia done, you may feel cramping. If you do general anesthesia, you may feel tingling, sore throat, dry throat - these symptoms can last for several days. In this case the help lozenges or gargling warm salt water.

Some women may experience dizziness and stomach pain. These sensations are in a few minutes.

You may need to abstain from sexual contact, use of tampons How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   or exercise some time after hysteroscopy - discuss this with your doctor.