What is the cervix?
Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus at the top of your vagina. Your vagina connects your uterus (where a baby grows when you're pregnant) to the outside of your body.
What is cervicitis?
Cervicitis is when your cervix is irritated.
The cause is usually an STI Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections STIs are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact, including oral sex. STIs may be caused by different types of germs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and... read more (sexually transmitted infection)
You may not have any symptoms, or you may have discharge Vaginal Discharge Vaginal discharge is fluid that comes out of your vagina (birth canal). All women have some vaginal discharge at times. Normal vaginal discharge is milky white or thin and clear, without any... read more (thick liquid) and bleeding Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal bleeding is when you pass blood from your vagina (birth canal). Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Vaginal bleeding is normal during your monthly period. Your period usually starts every... read more from your vagina
If you have yellow-green or pus-like discharge, bleeding that isn’t part of your monthly periods, or pain during sex, see your doctor
Doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics
Untreated cervicitis can spread and harm the rest of your uterus
Internal Female Genital Organs
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What causes cervicitis?
Infections that causes cervicitis
STDs (sexually transmitted infections) such as chlamydia Chlamydia Chlamydia are bacteria that can cause several kinds of infection. One common chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI is an infection that is spread from person... read more , gonorrhea Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI is an infection that is spread from person to person by sexual contact. Gonorrhea infects your genitals and, in women, your fallopian... read more , and herpes Herpes Simplex Virus Infections There are 8 different types of herpesvirus. Even though herpes simplex is only one of those types, most people just call it "herpes." Herpes simplex is a viral infection that causes a rash of... read more
Sometimes vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Your vagina connects your uterus (where a baby grows when you're pregnant) to the outside of your body. Some people call it the birth canal. Your vulva is the area between your legs on the outside... read more and trichomonal vaginitis Trichomonal Vaginitis Trichomonal vaginitis is an infection in your vagina. Your vagina connects your uterus (where a baby grows when you're pregnant) to the outside of your body. Some people call it the birth canal... read more also affect the cervix.
Other causes of cervicitis
Objects left in your vagina too long, such as diaphragms
Chemicals in douches or birth control creams
Use of latex condoms, if you have a latex allergy
What are the symptoms of cervicitis?
Cervicitis may not cause symptoms. When it does, you may have:
Redness around the opening of your vagina
How can my doctor tell if I have cervicitis?
Your doctor will suspect cervicitis based on your symptoms. To tell for sure, your doctor will do a pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor looks inside your vagina, holding it open with a small instrument called a speculum. Doctors will:
Take a sample of any discharge for testing
Touch your cervix with a cotton swab to see if it bleeds easily
How will my doctor treat cervicitis?
Because gonorrhea Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI is an infection that is spread from person to person by sexual contact. Gonorrhea infects your genitals and, in women, your fallopian... read more and chlamydia Chlamydia Chlamydia are bacteria that can cause several kinds of infection. One common chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). An STI is an infection that is spread from person... read more are the most likely cause of cervicitis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat those diseases. You can usually take these by mouth at home, but you may also need a shot.
Your doctor may tell you to:
Stop having sex until you're done with your medicine and your infection gets better
Ask your sex partner to get tested for STIs
After 3 to 6 months, your doctor will test you again to see if your infection has gone away.
How can I prevent cervicitis?
You can't always prevent cervicitis. To lower your risk:
Have sex with only one partner
Use condoms during sex
