Cervicitis

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.

The Uterus, Cervix, and Cervic...

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Cervicitis is when your cervix is inflamed.

• The cause is usually an STI (sexually transmitted infection)

• You may not have any symptoms, or you may have discharge (thick liquid) and bleeding 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 Reproductive Anatomy

Cervicitis may not cause symptoms. When it does, you may have:

• A vaginal discharge that may be yellow-green or pus-like

• Vaginal bleeding between your monthly periods or after sex

• Pain during sex, when urinating, or both

• Redness around the opening of your vagina

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

Because gonorrhea and chlamydia 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.

You can't always prevent cervicitis. To lower your risk:

• Have sex with only one partner

• Use condoms during sex