Cytogram of inflammation of endocervicitis. Endocervicitis - symptoms and treatment. History and physical examination

Endocervicitis is an inflammation localized in the area of the cervical canal. Very often, inflammatory changes in the cervix are combined with the same inflammatory processes in the vagina, because the main cause of inflammation is infection.

70% of young women attending antenatal clinics are diagnosed with cervical endocervicitis. At the same time, this disease has almost no clinical manifestations, so often women do not even realize that their cervix is inflamed. In addition, the acute stage of inflammation, if not treated, quickly turns into a chronic stage, the symptoms of which are generally not expressed. So the diagnosis of endocervicitis is usually made to women during a routine routine examination, and not on the basis of complaints.

Causes

As mentioned above, the cause of the disease is infection. Moreover, these can be either bacteria brought in from outside or opportunistic microorganisms that normally live in a woman’s vagina and begin to actively multiply when local immunity decreases.

Endocervicitis is caused by:

gonococci;
Trichomonas.

At the same time, only gonococci and trichomonas can cause severe symptoms. The disease, which arises as a result of infection with other microbes (opportunistic), is asymptomatic, so women are often diagnosed with chronic endocervicitis, when the infection deepens into the mucous membrane, and the outer surface of the cervix is regenerated.

Predisposing factors to the development of this pathology are various injuries and surgical interventions:

abortions;
cervical injuries during childbirth;
installation of an intrauterine device;
diagnostic or therapeutic curettage, etc.

That is, various damage to the mucous layer, into which microorganisms easily penetrate, can lead to the development of an inflammatory process in the cervical canal. Also, the causes of the development of the disease can be inflammatory processes in the vagina and uterus. Typically, inflammation spreads upward, that is, from the vagina to the cervix and then to the uterus, fallopian tubes and appendages. But sometimes it can develop in a descending manner - appendages, uterus, cervical canal.

The most common diseases causing endocervicitis are:

and others.

Symptoms

As mentioned above, there are acute and chronic endocervicitis. And the symptoms of the disease will depend on its form. If this is an acute form, the woman will complain of:

copious vaginal discharge with a serous, serous-purulent or purulent consistency;
itching and burning in the external genital area;
minor disturbance in general condition.

But since these symptoms are also inherent in other inflammatory diseases in the uterus and vagina, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis based on them and therefore it is necessary to conduct a visual examination of the patient, including her cervix, in order to diagnose endocervicitis.

If we talk about chronic endocervicitis, then its symptoms are even less pronounced. Usually, the discharge decreases or disappears altogether when the disease becomes chronic and women believe that they have recovered from the disease. In fact, inflammation penetrates into the deeper layers of the mucosa, so the chronic process is characterized by periods of exacerbation and attenuation.

A doctor can determine chronic endocervicitis based on an examination of the patient - a red border can be seen on the cervix, indicating inflammation, while the cervix itself has a natural pinkish color.

It is necessary to say about such signs of endocervicitis as thickening of the cervix, the development of hypertrophy of its muscular membrane, the appearance of petechial hemorrhages on it, as well as the presence of eroded areas. Such signs are characteristic of a chronic process, which allows the doctor to diagnose and successfully treat the disease.

Separately, it should be said about endocervicitis during pregnancy. In cases where the inflammatory process is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, it does not pose a threat to the fetus. However, specific endocervicitis caused by Trichomonas or gonococci tends to quickly spread along the ascending pathways, which is extremely dangerous for the fetus in the womb. Therefore, endocervicitis and normal pregnancy are incompatible things, and if a woman is diagnosed with this pathology before pregnancy, she should first be treated, and only then think about conception. If a woman develops endocervicitis during pregnancy, it is necessary to urgently treat the disease. The treatment plan is developed based on laboratory test data and identification of the sensitivity of the vaginal microflora to antibiotics.

Diagnosis and treatment

Since the symptoms of the disease are not pronounced and can be characteristic of various vaginal diseases, diagnosis is based on examination of the cervix in the speculum, which allows one to see purulent or serous-purulent discharge from the cervical canal, hyperemia and swelling of the cervix, as well as other symptoms inherent in this pathology.

A cytogram, as well as bacterial culture and PCR diagnostics will help confirm the diagnosis. An ultrasound is also required to make sure that the infection has not spread to the uterus and appendages.

Depending on what causes the disease, appropriate treatment for endocervicitis is prescribed. Antibacterial or antiviral drugs must be prescribed to destroy the pathogen. Treatment also includes the use of local vaginal suppositories, such as terzhinan, betadine and other broad-spectrum antibacterial suppositories.

It is imperative to restore the vaginal microflora after taking and topical antibiotics. For this purpose, suppositories with lactobacilli are used - Vaginorm, Acyclate, etc. To successfully treat the disease and eliminate its symptoms, you should also increase the body's immune properties. In addition, good immunity will protect a woman from possible relapses of endocervicitis, which is why immunocorrectors are also used in treatment.

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Diseases with similar symptoms:

Inflammation of the uterus is a pathology that is formed due to the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the organ cavity. Quite often, inflammation affects both the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Therefore, in medicine, these diseases are combined into one group “inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.” Doctors include in this group of diseases pathological processes of an inflammatory nature in the uterus and appendages, pelvic peritoneum and pelvic fat.

The appearance of endocervicitis is associated with the development of a pathological process that affects the mucous membrane of the internal canal of the cervix. The cause of the development of pathology can be pathogens that have entered the woman’s body, actively multiplying organisms of opportunistic flora, or infection of the organs of the reproductive system. The consequence of endocervicitis can be the spread of infection and the appearance of adhesions, so the disease must be promptly identified and treated.

Cervical endocervicitis - what is it?

The cervix in a woman’s body plays the role of a natural barrier that prevents infection from entering the organ. The cervical canal is covered with a layer of columnar epithelium, which includes glands that produce thick mucus. It has bactericidal properties, preventing the penetration of microbes and maintaining the sterility of the outer part of the cervix.

If the defense mechanisms do not work, microorganisms entering the canal penetrate the glandular cells, causing the development of inflammation and the appearance of endocervicitis. As a result of the infectious process, the cells of the mucous membrane multiply intensively and cysts are formed in the area of the exit duct, clogging the cervical canal.

There are specific (caused by sexually transmitted infections) and nonspecific (caused by the active reproduction of microorganisms of pathogenic flora) types of the disease. The following types of endocervicitis are distinguished:

focal, characterized by single inflammatory areas;
diffuse (when the infection spreads to the entire mucous membrane);
atrophic (when attached to inflammatory atrophic processes).

The course of the disease can be both acute and chronic.

Reasons for development

The cause of endocervicitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the cervical canal. The following factors contribute to this:

Symptoms

The main sign of endocervicitis is a change in the quantity, quality and appearance of the discharge. Normally, vaginal discharge is clear and small in volume; when sick, it becomes abundant and cloudy, changing color to yellowish. An unpleasant odor appears, and the consistency, depending on the type of infection, becomes viscous, stringy or liquid.

Signs of endocervicitis in acute disease are determined by the degree of intoxication of the body and are expressed by deterioration in health, weakness, chills, fever, sleep disturbance and appetite disturbance. There may be a feeling of itching or burning, and the discharge may contain pus.

With an exacerbation of chronic endocervicitis, pain is added to the symptoms of the disease, the severity of which depends on the prevalence of the inflammatory process and the degree of damage to the muscle layer. The lack of proper treatment for the chronic course of the disease leads to the fact that the symptoms are mild, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis of endocervicitis is made by a gynecologist based on the results of an examination in a gynecological chair and a comprehensive examination, including:

Diagnosis of endocervicitis allows you to determine the type of microorganisms that caused the infection, the area of distribution and the nature of the inflammatory process. When examining echo signs, the size and location of cysts are determined, the presence or absence of processes of proliferation of mucous membrane tissue and cell degeneration are revealed. The choice of therapeutic methods and agents depends on the results of the study.

Treatment of endocervicitis

Treatment of endocervicitis is carried out by a doctor based on diagnostic data. Recovery takes a long time, its goal is to destroy pathogenic flora, eliminate inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs, normalize hormonal levels and increase the immunity of the female body.

For both chronic and acute forms of endocervicitis, drug treatment is prescribed. The choice of pharmacological group and drugs is determined by the nature of the pathogenic flora:

Macrolides are prescribed for the treatment of chlamydia infection;
for fungal infection - antifungal agents;
in case of Trichomonas infection - antiprotozoal agents;
penicillin antibiotics are used against staphylococci and streptococci.

A correctly chosen treatment regimen for endocervicitis will help achieve a positive effect.

Local treatment (douching, vaginal suppositories, baths, tablets) is used to eliminate and prevent the spread of infection, restore microflora and normalize acidity. Immunostimulants and multivitamin complexes are used to increase the body's defenses. To prevent relapse of endocervicitis, enhance the effect of medications and consolidate the positive effect after completing a course of drug therapy, physiotherapy is prescribed, including electrophoresis, laser and ultrasound exposure, radio and magnetic therapy.

Surgical intervention is used to eliminate cystic formations and hypertrophied tissue of the cervix, and is used in cases where conservative therapy for endocervicitis does not give the desired result. Cryotherapy, diathermocoagulation, laser treatment, and hardware cauterization are used to treat erosions.

After treatment and the disappearance of symptoms, a cytological examination is repeated to confirm the cessation of the infectious process.

Traditional therapy

When endocervicitis is diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies is used as an auxiliary conservative method. It can be used after using medication to consolidate the results obtained. You cannot self-medicate. Each step in therapy must be agreed with the doctor.

The following procedures will help cure endocervicitis at home:

A gauze swab moistened with sea buckthorn oil is placed in the vagina overnight. A 10-day course of procedures is recommended.
A tampon with a mixture of pharmaceutical tinctures of propolis, calendula (20 g each) and lanolin (60 g), 10 procedures are performed.
Shilajit is used as an active ingredient for impregnating tampons: dissolve 2 g of the product in 1/2 glass of water (10 procedures).

To eliminate endocervicitis, the following infusions are used as douches:

The herbs are brewed with boiling water, allowed to brew for 20 minutes in a water bath or in a thermos, cooled, and used warm for evening douching; the course lasts from 7 to 10 days.

For oral use, use mumiyo (0.3 g daily) and tincture of peony evasive pharmaceutical or homemade (infuse 5 tablespoons of crushed root in 0.5 liters of vodka for 1 month), which is taken 3 times a day before meals for 1 hour .l. within 40 days.

Complications

Cervical endocervicitis, if treated incorrectly or untimely, can harm the female body. In the acute form of the disease, the infection quickly enters the uterine cavity and then spreads to other organs. If the disease has passed into a chronic stage, then a focus of infection is created, which, while asymptomatic, is difficult to detect and can threaten the organs of the reproductive system for a long time.

Common consequences of endocervicitis include the following diseases:

hyperplasia of cervical and uterine cavity tissues;
cervical erosion;
adnexitis;
cystic formations;
endometritis;
deformation of the cervical canal;
obstruction of the uterine canal as a result of the adhesive process;
deterioration of the distensibility of the uterus due to the proliferation of connective tissue and thickening of the walls;
tissue degeneration;
neoplasms.

A chronic course can lead to exacerbation of the disease and threaten the health of the woman and the unborn child. Long-term exposure to infection leads to the development of the following complications:

increased uterine tone;
fetal hypoxia;
loosening of the membranes and premature outflow of amniotic fluid;
intrauterine development disorder;
miscarriage and premature birth;
complication of the birth process.

Prevention of endocervicitis

To prevent the occurrence of endocervicitis, a woman and her sexual partner should undergo regular medical examinations and use barrier methods of contraception. It is necessary to promptly treat inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, not to overuse the use of local antiseptics that can inhibit microflora and strengthen the immune system. Paying attention to your health will help avoid the occurrence of endocervicitis.

Endocervicitis is an inflammation process that develops in the cervical canal, on its mucous surface. This disease is diagnosed in half of women between twenty and forty years old.

Two types of progression are considered characteristic: acute and protracted (chronic), and the spread of inflammation can be diffuse and local (focal). In addition, endocervicitis can be specific or nonspecific.

The causes of endocervicitis (nonspecific) lie in opportunistic flora. With strained immunity, this flora is not active. Opportunistic bacteria include:

streptococcus;
gram-negative Escherichia coli;
staphylococcus aureus;
bacteroides;
сorynebacterium (corynobacteria), etc.

A specific type of disease is caused by infections that are transmitted through sexual contact: chlamydia, gonorrhea, fungi, mycoplasmosis and others. Factors contributing to inflammation:

weak immunity;
incorrect insertion of the IUD into the uterus;
sexual intercourse during menstruation;
indiscriminate choice of sexual partner;
menopause;
excessive use of chemical spermicides;
pelvic organ prolapse;
one or more abortions.

The acute process occurs:

with vaginal purulent or mucous discharge;
with uncomfortable itching and burning sensations.

Secondary symptoms of endocervicitis include a feeling of dull pain and “pulling” in the lower abdomen. Other complaints are usually associated with other pathologies, for example, endometritis or urethritis.

The protracted form of the disease does not give any special signs; endocirvicitis at the chronic stage is not recognized. This is due to the fact that the inflamed areas on the mucous membrane simply heal.

The clinical picture of the disease may vary, depending on the reaction of the female body and the type of bacteria.

Very often, endocirvicitis immediately proceeds rather smoothly. Noticeable symptoms are characteristic of inflammation that occurs against the background of gonorrhea. If the disease was not detected in its acute period, then a chronic process is observed, which in turn weakens the female body and reduces overall immunity. Usually, upon examination, redness on the cervix and fairly copious discharge of pus are clearly visible. The mucous membrane often shows signs of erosion.

The chronic stage gives simply cloudy discharge, without pus.

Since signs of endocervicitis cannot always be seen during a routine examination, the patient is prescribed:

colposcopy;
ultrasound of the internal organs of the small pelvis;
a number of laboratory tests (smear, bacterial culture, TAM and blood).

Bacteriological studies of the secreted substance are necessary to determine the type of bacterium and its susceptibility to antibacterial drugs. Treatment regimen While endocirvicitis is acute, the doctor can prescribe etiotropic therapy to completely get rid of the causative microorganisms. Based on the results of bacterial culture, antifungal agents or antiviral drugs, as well as antibiotics, are prescribed. The average duration of etiotropic treatment is a week.

If the analysis reveals the presence of a fungal infection, the patient is prescribed antifungal drugs such as Nizoral, Difluzon, Fluconazole, etc. Chlamydial origin of inflammation is treated with tetracycline antibiotics or macrolides.

Trichomonas endocirvicitis can be cured with antiprotozoal drugs (Trichopol). If there are concomitant diseases (as a rule, there are such diseases), then the doctor simultaneously carries out their therapy. The patient is required to correct the immune system with special immunomodulatory agents.

Lactobacilli are used for local treatment to restore vaginal microflora. In very advanced cases, necrotization of cells on the mucous membrane of the neck is possible. In this case, the surgeon removes necrotic areas of the mucous membrane (with a laser, liquid nitrogen or using diathermocoagulation). Typically, cells recover well after removal. Where the danger lurks

It is imperative to treat chronic endocervicitis, otherwise the risk of getting:

tissue erosion on the cervix;
spread of infection to other pelvic organs;
adhesions in the pelvis;

However, in most cases the prognosis for this disease is extremely favorable.

Prevention

You can avoid the disease if:

do not neglect annual medical examinations (it is better to be examined by a gynecologist twice a year);
cervical ruptures (as a result of childbirth or abortion) should be sutured;
do not lift heavy objects;
use condoms, especially during casual sexual contact;
treat diseases of the pelvic organs in a timely manner;
strengthen and harden the body, and also take a monthly course of vitamins twice a year.

Treatment with folk remedies

In addition to drug treatments, there are a lot of folk remedies that can help get rid of the disease. The recipes are easy to use, easy to prepare and perfectly complement the main treatment.

The first folk remedy that can be recommended is a mixture of calendula tincture with propolis (40 ml of each ingredient). To soften the resulting mixture, add lanolin (60g) and shake everything well. A tampon is soaked in this folk medicine and inserted into the vagina for about 10 hours (at night).

In the morning the tampon must be removed. This procedure should be repeated for ten days. Tampons can be soaked in sea buckthorn oil. It is known for its antiseptic and wound healing properties. Endocervicitis can be treated with aloe juice.

It is advisable to take the lower leaves of a five-year-old plant for these purposes. The cut leaf should be placed in the refrigerator for several days, then the juice should be squeezed out of it, a tampon should be soaked in the juice and inserted into the vagina overnight.

The course of treatment is two weeks. Shilajit is one of the most reliable folk remedies. Two grams of mumiyo are diluted in a glass of water. Tampons are moistened in this liquid and also inserted into the vagina overnight.

Treatment of endocervicitis at home should not be the main thing, but only as an auxiliary therapy. But, in some cases, using home treatment methods will be somewhat more appropriate. For example, during pregnancy. Naturally, a pregnant woman must coordinate all home treatment methods with the specialist who is managing the pregnancy.

Cervical endocervicitis - what is it? This term refers to an acute or chronic inflammatory process in the mucous membranes of the cervical canal. The cervix prevents infection from entering the organ cavity.

This is facilitated by its anatomical features: it is a cylinder, one end of which opens into the vagina, the other into the uterus. The inner walls of the cervix are lined with epithelial tissues with a large number of glands that produce mucus with antibacterial properties. This secretion prevents infection from entering the uterus and maintains sterility in the upper and middle parts of the cervix.

Causes of the disease

The risk of developing endocervicitis increases in the presence of cervical ruptures and cracks received during childbirth. Traumatization of the organ is also facilitated by the expansion of its canal during curettage, hysteroscopy, abortion and other surgical interventions. In the presence of old defects, the external pharynx is always in a slightly open state. Uterine prolapse allows bacteria to freely penetrate from the vagina into the cervical canal. Sexual intercourse during menstruation is considered a provoking factor. At this time, the viscosity of the cervical mucus decreases, due to which microorganisms easily overcome the barrier on the way to the uterine cavity. Blood is an ideal environment for their life.

The use of an intrauterine device is another cause of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the cervix. The antennae of this device are pathways for the movement of pathogenic microorganisms from the vagina to the cervical canal. Frequent douching and improper use of chemical contraceptives contribute to irritation of epithelial tissues and further development of the inflammatory process. Sexually transmitted diseases are the main cause of endocervicitis. The most common STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Infectious agents actively multiply in the columnar epithelium despite protective mechanisms.

The microflora of the genital organs of each person contains a certain set of microorganisms; with regular sexual intercourse, immunity to the partner’s bacteria is developed. With frequent changes of sexual partners, protective mechanisms are not able to cope with new pathogenic microorganisms, which is why inflammation develops. Untreated colpitis and vulvovaginitis also contribute to the appearance of endocervicitis.

Endocervicitis is dangerous due to its complications. Long-term activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the cervical canal leads to damage to the endometrium, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The layers of the peritoneum covering the internal genital organs become inflamed, and adhesions develop.

Adhesions contribute to the occurrence of intestinal obstruction, a life-threatening condition. Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs are considered the main cause of infertility. They increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and cervical rupture.

Chronic inflammation disrupts the functions of the immune system, causing it to begin to destroy healthy cells in the body. Reactive arthritis and nephritis occur. When pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the urethra, urethritis, cystitis and pyelonephritis develop. With chronic endocervicitis, all layers of the cervix are affected, causing it to become deformed.

There are several ways to classify inflammatory processes in the cervix. The origin of the disease can be:

specific (caused by sexually transmitted infections);
nonspecific (develops with the activation of opportunistic microorganisms).

Based on the prevalence of the pathological process, endocervicitis is divided into:

focal;
diffuse;
atrophic.

In the first case, limited areas of damage appear on the mucous membranes; this is observed in the early stages of the disease. Diffuse inflammation covers all mucous membranes. Atrophic endocervicitis is a common problem among women going through menopause.

According to the nature of the course, the inflammatory process can be acute (early stages of the disease with a pronounced clinical picture) and chronic (a long-term pathological process in which periods of exacerbation are followed by remission).

Clinical picture of the disease

The first sign of endocervicitis is an increase in the amount of discharge, a change in its consistency and color. Normally, the vagina produces a small amount of clear discharge every day. When the mucous membranes of the cervix become inflamed, they become cloudy and yellowish. The smell varies depending on the type of infectious agent. Endocervicitis is often accompanied by vulvovaginitis, the main symptoms of which are itching, burning and redness of the labia minora.

In the chronic course of the disease, a pain syndrome develops, the intensity of which depends on the prevalence of the pathological process and the presence of complications. Symptoms of intoxication with endocervicitis rarely appear, so women often do not realize the presence of an inflammatory process. The infection penetrates the uterus, the severity of the disease worsens. To identify endocervicitis, standard diagnostic procedures are performed: gynecological examination using speculum, colposcopy, smear analysis. In the presence of an inflammatory process, the cervix becomes swollen, and due to the presence of cysts, its shape changes. Bleeding occurs when touched. Purulent contents are released from the external pharynx.

Colposcopy reveals dilation of the vessels of the cervical canal. The study allows you to notice malignant tissue degeneration in time and take the material for analysis. When stained with Lugol's solution, light spots appear on a dark background. Ultrasound reveals deformation of the cervix and endocervical cysts. Smear analysis reflects pronounced leukocytosis and the presence of an infectious agent. Sowing on a nutrient medium allows you to determine not only the type of bacterium, but also its sensitivity to antibiotics. It is not recommended to start treatment until the results of this test are received.

Methods of treating the disease

Therapy begins with eliminating the cause of inflammation. For this purpose, antibacterial, antifungal or antiprotozoal drugs are used. Their simultaneous use is often required. They can be produced in the form of tablets, intravenous and intramuscular injections. For infectious diseases of the genital organs, local agents in the form of suppositories, ointments and solutions are also used.

After destroying the infectious agent, it is necessary to restore the vaginal microflora. The use of special medications strengthens local immunity and helps avoid recurrence of the disease. For atrophic changes in the mucous membranes of the cervix, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. Endocervical cysts are removed surgically, often requiring reconstructive surgery. Physiotherapeutic drugs enhance the effect of medications and prevent relapses of endocervicitis.

Informative video

Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the internal epithelium of the cervix. This process is familiar firsthand to 70% of women of fertile (childbearing) age. The fact that a separate diagnosis is not for the whole organ, but for a part of it, which has a very small extent, indicates the importance of this zone in physiological processes.

Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal

The cervix (cervix) of the uterus is anatomically the lower section of the uterus, has a length of only a few centimeters, but differs in the structure of the walls and the type of internal epithelium. The structural features are associated with the exceptional functions of this section of the uterus. They are:

in creating a barrier to the microflora that lives on the external genitalia and in the vagina;
in the removal of menstrual blood from the uterine cavity to the outside;
to ensure the unhindered passage of sperm into the uterine cavity;
in maintaining the increasing vertical load during gestation;
in creating wide birth canals during the expulsion of the fetus and placenta from the uterus.

These tasks determine the structure of the neck.

The cervix is a small section of the reproductive organ located in its lower part

If the uterus itself has a thick wall of smooth muscle that can contract when stretched, then its cervix contains only a small amount of smooth muscle fibers. Its folded walls consist of elastic connective tissue that can stretch during childbirth, allowing the baby to pass through.

The uterus and vagina are lined with squamous epithelium, their surface is pink. The cervical canal is covered with red columnar epithelium. Its cells, together with numerous tubular glands contained in the thickness of the epithelium, secrete a mucous secretion, from which the so-called “plug” is formed - a clot that blocks the lumen of the cervical (cervical) canal. The composition of the secretion changes depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, ensuring the free passage of sperm and menstrual blood.

Forms of endocervicitis

Cervical endocervicitis develops against a background of decreased immunity; it can be an independent disease, but is often combined with other gynecological diseases:

endometritis;

Endocervicitis can be combined with endometritis

colpitis;
bacterial vaginosis.

The disease occurs in the form of chronic and acute inflammation. Based on its prevalence, it is divided into focal and diffuse processes.

Causes of endocervicitis

The cause of inflammation of the epithelium of the cervical canal is its infection with specific pathogens:

gonococci;
trichomonas;
chlamydia;
genital herpes viruses;
papillomaviruses;

One of the causative agents of endocervicitis is the herpes virus

fungi.

As well as nonspecific microflora living in the vagina:

various types of streptococcus,
pathogenic staphylococci,
coli.

Moreover, viruses and chlamydia can penetrate into the canal when the epithelium is healthy, causing its inflammation. For other pathogenic microbes, the condition for penetration is damage to the integrity of the internal covering of the cervix, which occurs when using intrauterine contraception, with promiscuous sex life, as well as with injuries to the mucous membrane resulting from:

difficult childbirth;
abortion;
the presence of an intrauterine device;

Inflammation of the cervical mucosa may occur as a result of difficult childbirth.

diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures.

Predisposing causes also contribute to inflammation:

endometritis;
salpingo-oophoritis (inflammation of the appendages);
ectropion (inversion of the inner lining of the cervical canal into the vagina);
uterine prolapse;
vaginitis (inflammation of the vaginal wall);
cystitis (inflammatory process in the bladder);
menopause;
sexual intercourse during menstruation, when the lumen of the canal is open to infection;
excessive enthusiasm for douching, creating an acidic environment in the vagina.

Endocervicitis can be caused by excessively frequent douching

Non-infectious endocervicitis of the cervix sometimes occurs, the cause of which lies in endocrine disorders.

Symptoms

Depending on the type of pathogen, the process may have slightly different manifestations, which the doctor must differentiate. The inflammatory process in the acute phase has the following local symptoms:

severe nagging pain in the lower third of the abdomen;
vaginal discharge - mucous or purulent, abundant or scanty;
a feeling of severe itching in the genital area;
pain when urinating;
pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse;
feeling of “hot flashes” in the pelvis;
lower back pain.

With the development of endocervicitis, lower back pain appears

Acute cervical endocervicitis is accompanied by general complaints of:

deterioration of health;
headache;
temperature increase;
chills;
sleep and appetite disturbance.

Such symptoms lead a woman to the doctor. But if a visit to the doctor was postponed for some reason, then soon your health will improve and the itching will subside. The patient gets the impression that the disease has receded, the body has coped with it, and no treatment is required.

In fact, the process simply became chronic. Severe symptoms are replaced by subtle ones that do not cause much concern:

scanty leucorrhoea, which may be mixed with pus;

Acute inflammatory process in the cervix is accompanied by headache

minor pain;
low-grade or normal temperature;
urinary disorders.

Chronic endocervicitis of the uterus is often detected only at a preventive gynecological appointment, when pronounced redness of the part of the cervix accessible for inspection, the appearance of erosions and discharge from the mouth of the canal are detected.

Complications

Acute endocervicitis opens the way for infection into the uterine cavity, and from there to the appendages with all possible complications. The chronic form is dangerous due to its consequences:

Due to prolonged inflammation, the connective tissue walls of the uterus thicken and grow, making it difficult to stretch.

Chronic inflammatory process provokes the appearance of adhesions

Impaired patency of the canal threatens infertility.
Changes in the cellular composition of tissues contribute to the appearance of dysplasia, erosion, and cancer.
Chronic endocervicitis causes the development of adhesive processes.
The inflammatory process can spread to neighboring organs and tissues.

Diagnostics

When examined with a speculum, the gynecologist can only see the outer part of the cervix, which extends into the vagina. Symptoms such as redness of the mouth of the cervical canal and mucopurulent discharge from it indicate a diagnosis of uterine endocervicitis.

Diagnosis of endocervicitis is carried out using the colposcopic method

But to successfully treat the disease, this is not enough. It is necessary to determine the type of pathogen and obtain data on the condition of the canal shell. For this purpose the following is carried out:

Colposcopy (colposcope is an optical device that makes it possible to study in detail the condition of the walls of the vagina and cervix - visually or using special reagents).
Ultrasound examination of the pelvis.
Cytogram (scraping of cells from the cervical canal to detect dysplasia and cancer).
Lab tests:

smear for bacteriological culture and examination under a microscope for microflora;
blood test (a general test is done, for HIV and RW infection, for hepatitis B and C);

During the diagnosis of endocervicitis, laboratory blood tests are performed for several indicators

Analysis of urine;
polymerase chain reaction to detect chlamydia or type of virus.

Treatment

After identifying the causative agent of the disease, the doctor chooses treatment according to the appropriate regimen. If this is an acute process, then the main emphasis falls on general drug treatment, because the use of local procedures (tampons, creams, suppositories) with severe symptoms of inflammation is fraught with the spread of infection.

Immunomodulators are required to restore the body's defenses. General strengthening and anti-inflammatory treatment is carried out. If the causative agent turns out to be a nonspecific microflora, then a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of the bacteria.

Treatment of endocervicitis is carried out using antimicrobial vaginal suppositories

If the disease is viral in nature, antiviral therapy is prescribed. Fungal infections are treated with antifungal drugs and vaginal suppositories. Symptoms of gonorrhea, trichomonas and other specific types of endocervicitis will be treated with drugs that are effective against these types of pathogens.

Treatment will only be effective if both sexual partners are treated together.

When all symptoms are eliminated, the healthy microflora of the vagina and intestines is restored with Lactobacterin and Bifidumbacterin.

Chronic endocervicitis is more difficult to treat. Treatment with local methods is mainly used here:

physiotherapeutic procedures - electrophoresis with medicinal substances and laser therapy;
douching;

To restore normal vaginal microflora, probiotics are prescribed

anti-inflammatory and antibacterial suppositories;
applications using tampons soaked in anti-inflammatory drugs.

When the infection is eliminated, they resort to surgical methods for treating erosion:

cryotherapy;
laser treatment;
diathermocoagulation;
cauterization with the Surgitron apparatus;
for nulliparous women - cauterization with Solvagin and Vagotin.

The cytogram is repeated. After all symptoms of cervical inflammation have disappeared, women are under medical supervision; its duration depends on the cause and form of the disease.

Cauterization of erosion is performed using the Surgitron apparatus

Endocervicitis during pregnancy

The inflammatory cervical process makes the very possibility of getting pregnant problematic.

During pregnancy, endocervicitis is not treated. When planning a pregnancy, you need to take care to get rid of this disease, because in the early stages it affects the increase in uterine tone, and in later stages it causes untimely discharge of amniotic fluid, which complicates childbirth. Miscarriage and prematurity are often the result of chronic endocervicitis.

Chlamydial endocervicitis and human papillomavirus are dangerous for fetal development.

Prevention of endocervicitis and its complications

To avoid troubles associated with a disease such as uterine endocervicitis, you should:

The video will introduce you to the main methods for diagnosing cervical pathologies: