Endocervicitis - when to resort to antibiotics?

Endocervicitis - an inflammation of the part of the cervix, called the outer end wrench. This is a very common disorder, but it is rare in itself - the majority of patients it is accompanied by inflammation of the tissues of the vagina and / or all of the areas of the cervix. It is estimated that in any given period of life inflammation of the vagina and cervix develops in approximately 50% of women.

Endocervicitis - an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervix. Violations can be caused by infections of the vagina, diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea Gonorrhea - self-ruled Chlamydia or genital herpes), and cervical injuries received as a result of childbirth, abortion, or surgery on the reproductive organs. There are acute and chronic endocervicitis.

Chronic endocervicitis often asymptomatic and usually discovered by chance, during a gynecological examination. In acute endocervicitis may experience symptoms such as unusual bleeding or purulent vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, painful periods, bleeding between periods, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, fever, painful urination . Yellowish vaginal discharge may indicate that the cause is endocervicitis chlamydia.

Reasons endocervicitis

Endocervicitis There may be many reasons, but the most common ones are:

• Chlamydia;
• Trichomoniasis;
• Candidiasis;
• Gonorrhea;
• Herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex - in fact, not so simple ;
• Human papillomavirus.

Less common causes endocervicitis: mycosis, syphilis Syphilis - punishment of Venus Tuberculosis Tuberculosis - a full recovery is not guaranteed , Mycoplasma.

Risk factors

The following factors increase the likelihood of endocervicitis:

• Infections of the vagina and cervix;
• Injury of the cervix, resulting in childbirth;
• Damage cervix associated with sexual activity;
• The use of intrauterine devices;
• Congenital abnormalities in the structure of the cervix;
• Hysteroscopy.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a constant endocervicitis mucus from the vagina. Typically, isolation is not very abundant, but they have an unusual consistency, sometimes they contain traces of blood. Many patients endocervicitis for several not cause any other symptoms. Pain during sexual intercourse, heavy menstrual bleeding and severe pain during menstruation usually appear when the inflammation extends beyond the external os of the cervix.

Diagnostics

To diagnose endocervicitis and identify its causes using the following procedure:

• Gynecological examination. Frequently gynecologist can determine the presence of inflammation in appearance of the cervix;
• Analysis of vaginal discharge;
• Pap smear;
• Colposcopy - examination of the cervix using a special tool called a colposcope.

Complications

Endocervicitis can cause the following complications:

• Salpingitis - inflammation of the fallopian tubes which can lead to obstruction and infertility;
• Chronic infections of the genitourinary system;
• Cervical stenosis, which can also cause infertility.

It is also believed that chronic inflammation may contribute to the development of cervical cancer, so endocervicitis treatment should begin as soon as possible.

Treatment

To cure endocervicitis, first of all, necessary to treat the cause. Chlamydia infection and some other sexually transmitted infections are treated with antibiotics. Patients infected with genital herpes, can be assigned to treatment with acyclovir. This antiviral drug does not cure the infection, but facilitates its symptoms. The woman's partner is also recommended to be treated to prevent reinfection. If after treatment the symptoms endocervicitis saved can be used methods such as cauterization of the affected tissues, cryotherapy or laser therapy.

Medication

If it is determined that the cause of endocervicitis is any infection, priority will be her medication. Depending on the pathogen, the doctor prescribes the patient receiving antifungal medications, or antibiotics. Furthermore, there may be used various formulations for repairing damaged mucosa, however they do not always give the expected results - many patients to achieve significant improvements require surgery.

The operation was carried out not earlier than two months after the treatment of infection, and only if the symptoms endocervicitis still remain.

Surgical intervention

The operation is usually prescribed in the first days after menstruation to cervical tissue time to heal before the start of the next month - it would greatly reduce the chance of infection.

Before the procedure is necessary to conduct gynecological examinations that exclude the presence of acute inflammation of the cervix. If it is detected, the operation to be delayed to prevent the spread of inflammation to adjacent tissue. Depending on the age of the patient, and the extent of tissue damage the cervix, endocervicitis used to treat one of the following procedures:

Cryotherapy - is the freezing of tissues at a depth of about 3-4 mm by using carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen or freon;

Laser therapy - a modern technology, using which the affected cells literally evaporate. This procedure does not cause tissue necrosis and other undesirable effects that have been observed, for example, when using elektroprizhiganiya;

Elektroprizhiganie - a procedure that is most often used to treat endocervicitis. Literally cauterize the affected tissues, acting on them electric shocks. Some patients within five days after the procedure is recommended to take antibiotics to prevent infections. Cervical tissue heal completely in about six weeks, and at this time it is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse;

Amputation of the cervix - a surgical procedure that is assigned only if endocervicitis accompanied by severe complications.