Exocervicitis - what is it? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

As a rule, a weak sex very carefully monitors the state of her female health. And at a time when the concepts of "thrush" or "cystitis" are all very well known, there are less common in a wide range of diseases. One such problem is exocervicitis. What is it, what are its symptoms, how to treat it, and whether there are ways to avoid this disease? Let's understand.

Exocervicitis - what is it?

Because of the specific features of female anatomy, and in particular of the genitourinary system, pathogenic organisms can very easily enter the body. As a result, they can cause an exocervicitis of the cervix. What it is? These are inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which are accompanied by pains in the lower abdomen and uncharacteristic for women secretions.

Inflammatory process - exocervicitis - is most often observed in women aged 25 to 35 years, who are active and disordered sex life.

Causes of exocervicitis

There are several factors that can trigger the onset of the disease:

1. Random sex, unprotected sex.
2. Decreased immunity due to renal or hepatic insufficiency, HIV infection, diabetes mellitus.
3. Abortion, childbirth, as well as the presence of injuries inflicted to the internal reproductive organs as a result of these processes.
4. Omission of the cervix.
5. Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system (colpitis, cystitis, etc.).
6. The presence of diseases, during which throughout the body along with blood are carried and microbes (tonsillitis, various inflammations, etc.).
7. Incorrect use of internal contraceptives (spirals, vaginal suppositories) or frequent syringing with aggressive medications to protect against pregnancy.
8. Hormonal failures in the body. Most often this occurs in women in the postmenopausal period, when the development of female hormones is significantly reduced, and because of this, atrophic inflammations begin to develop in the mucous membrane. Another cause of hormonal failure may be an incorrect intake of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
9. Ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.

Exocervicitis of the cervix: what is it and what are its symptoms

With the question, what is exocervicitis of the cervix, figured out - it's inflammatory processes in its mucous membrane. What symptoms accompany these processes? It depends on the stage of the disease. While at the initial stage a woman may not even suspect of the presence of infections and inflammatory processes in the reproductive system, in case of an exacerbation there will appear some specific symptoms by which one can judge the disease:

• Feeling of discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen;
• Pain during sex and spotting immediately or after a short time after it;
• Discomfort, pain or burning during urination;
• Change in the nature of the secretions - they can become bloody, with impurities of pus or mucus.
• Itching in the area of the external genitalia.

In addition to the main symptoms, there may be drowsiness, general malaise, fever.

Classification of the disease

Depending on the nature of the disease, exocervicitis is divided into two groups:

1. Acute exocervicitis.

This type of disease is characteristic of a healthy cervix. It is provoked by a fungal infection or gonorrhea. The characteristic signs of acute exocervicitis are the appearance of purulent or mucopurulent vaginal discharge, severe pain and fever.

2. Chronic exocervicitis.

In most cases, it develops in the case of inappropriate treatment of acute exocervicitis. This type of disease is characterized by increased pain, cervical densification, marked inflammation and cyst formation, and epithelial rejection.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order for the treatment to pass as quickly as possible and without the use of unnecessary efforts, it is important to notice the symptoms of the disease in time and to see a doctor for confirmation of the diagnosis of "exocervicitis". What it is and what its symptoms have been described above, so now it is worth to learn more about the methods of diagnosing the disease.

Visit a gynecologist begins with a small survey. The doctor asks questions about the nature and duration of pain in the abdomen, the presence or change of vaginal discharge, the characteristics of the menstrual cycle, previously transferred infectious diseases, and so on.

The second stage of diagnosis - examination on the gynecological chair. In the first place, the external genitalia are examined, after which the doctor passes to the vagina and cervix of the uterus. Already during the examination, the gynecologist determines the nature and type of the disease: acute or chronic exocervicitis.

For more accurate diagnosis and the appointment of a correct and effective method of treatment, in addition to the examination, the following procedures are also performed:

• Taking a smear on the flora from the vagina.
• Diagnosis of possible viral diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV, hepatitis B).
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (ovaries, uterine appendages).
• Common blood and urine tests.
• Colposcopy.
• Carrying out a cytological examination. It helps to finally confirm the diagnosis of "exocervicitis". The cytogram will help the doctor once again make sure of the presence of inflammatory processes, get information about changes in the flora of the vagina. Particular attention is paid to the nature of the changes in the epithelium.

If the cytogram corresponds to exocervicitis, the gynecologist appoints the necessary course of treatment. In this case, treatment is selected exclusively on an individual basis based on their characteristics of the patient's body.

Treatment of the disease

The next stage after the diagnosis of "exocervicitis" is treatment. It can have a different character, depending on the severity of the disease and its pathogens.

If the inflammation was caused by bacteria, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed. In this case, the medicine and dosage can be prescribed only by a doctor!

In the case of the viral nature of the disease, treatment is conducted by the course of antiviral therapy. The most popular drugs in this case are Valtrex and Acyclovir. Just as in the previous case, the required dosage is calculated individually.

If exocervicitis was caused by a fungus, then, accordingly, antifungal drugs are prescribed.

After the course of treatment, preparations for the restoration of the microflora of the vagina must be prescribed. It can be various ointments or candles, which are also selected individually.

If the disease was diagnosed too late and triggered complications, surgical interventions are possible. Their goal is to remove the damaged layer of the epithelium by means of laser radiation.

Prevention of disease

Exocervicitis - what is it? What symptoms does it have and why does it occur? The answers to all these questions are in the article. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand how to protect yourself from this trouble. The main rule: do not allow the appearance of the causes of the disease and undergo mandatory examinations at the gynecologist at least once a year.