Hypertrophy of the cervix: the main causes and stages

Gynecological diseases can hardly be considered a rarity. And not the last place among them is hypertrophy of the cervix. This is a rather unpleasant and dangerous pathology, which is accompanied by an increase in the size of the neck. Such a disease can lead to a mass of complications, and the quality of a woman's life worsens considerably due to constant discomfort and soreness.

It is quite natural that many women are interested in additional information about this disease. Why does hypertrophy develop, what symptoms are accompanied by an increase in the cervix? What methods of treatment does modern medicine offer? What are the predictions for patients and are there any ways to prevent the development of pathology? Answers to these questions will be useful to every woman.

Hypertrophy of the cervix: what is it? Photo and brief description

Hypertrophy of the cervix is a pathological condition that is accompanied by an increase in the size of this part of the female's reproductive system. It should be understood that there are two main types of pathological increase. Hyperplasia is a condition that is accompanied by an increase in the number of cells. At the same time, with hypertrophy, cell sizes increase, but their quantitative ratio remains normal.

The increase in the size of the cervix can be different - sometimes the tissues increase to such an extent that it falls outside the outer labia. Pathology can be, in one way or another, associated with lengthening the vagina or lowering the pelvic organs. Nevertheless, sometimes cervical hypertrophy is not accompanied by concomitant pathologies.

What are the causes of the development of pathology?

Naturally, many people are primarily interested in the question of why cervical hypertrophy develops. The reasons can be different, and therefore it is worth considering the list of major risk factors:

• Injuries and damage to the epithelium of endocervix (duct within the cervix). Hypertrophy can be the result of abortion, severe labor, diagnostic curettage. Normally, trauma epithelial cells of the mucosa begin to actively divide, providing a complete regeneration of tissues. However, repeated damage can lead to thickening.
• Not the last place among the risk factors is the hormonal imbalance. The fact is that the condition and work of the cervical tissues directly depend on the level of progesterone and estrogens. A change in the level of these hormones can lead to increased activity of the cervical epithelium, the consequence of which is often hypertrophy.
• Infectious diseases can also lead to the development of this pathology, especially if it is a chronic inflammatory process.
• Some types of pathology, in particular muscular hypertrophy of the cervix, develop against the background of changes in the muscular layer, for example, with lengthening or lowering of the pelvic organs. Quite often, hypertrophy is diagnosed in elderly patients, as well as in women who often give birth, because their pelvic muscles are weakened, as a result of which the sexual organs move toward the vagina. To the same result can lead to heavy physical exertion.
• Sometimes hypertrophy develops against the background of uterine fibroids, especially if the myomatous nodes are located close to the cervix.
• There is also a genetic factor, as often women who are suffering from the same pathology are found in the genus.

The main symptoms of hypertrophy

Today, many patients are interested in the question of what constitutes cervical hypertrophy. The reasons, treatment and ways of preventing the disease, too, must be known. No less important issue are the symptoms that accompany pathology. Immediately it is worth saying that in the initial stages of hypertrophy rarely causes any serious complications and discomfort, and therefore is diagnosed accidentally.

Also, the symptoms of the disease directly depend on the causes of hypertrophy. For example, in the glandular form of a disease, women often complain of the appearance of abundant mucous secretions. Symptoms can also include disorders of the menstrual cycle, the appearance of bloody discharge and even uterine bleeding, although such violations in most cases are associated with hormonal failures.

Hypertrophy caused by the inflammatory process is accompanied by symptoms characteristic of infection, in particular, itching, pains in the lower abdomen, uncharacteristic discharge with an unpleasant odor.

In the event that the disease is caused by the lowering of the pelvic organs, women complain of drawing pains in the lower abdomen, discomfort, a kind of soreness that may increase during intercourse.

Follicular hypertrophy and its features

Follicular hypertrophy of the cervix, like some other forms of this pathology, is associated with occlusion and increase in the size of secretory cells of the mucosal epithelium. Disturbance of outflow leads to stasis of secretion, and formed follicles go deep into tissues. Due to this, the sizes of the cervix increase, and the contours become more rigid. Sometimes formed follicles become inflamed, which leads to accumulation of purulent masses inside. This complication can be very dangerous.

Muscular form of hypertrophy

Muscular hypertrophy of the cervix is usually associated with a change in size or lowering of the pelvic organs. That is why it is most often diagnosed in women giving birth, as well as older women, because in these cases often develops muscle weakness.

Depending on the bias, it is common to distinguish three main stages of pathology development:

• At the first stage, the cervix is slightly lowered into the vaginal cavity. With visual examination, the pathology is not visible, but it can be easily detected during vaginal examination.
• As the disease progresses, the cervix moves lower, almost reaches the genital cleft, but does not go beyond its boundaries.
• The third stage of the development of the disease is accompanied by a strong descent of the cervix, which is already beyond the edges of the sexual slit, outwards.

Often, along with the neck, the uterus itself descends. By the way, the omission is said in the event that the internal genital organs are displaced into the vaginal cavity. If they completely come out, then it's about falling out.

The glandular form of the disease

Glandular hypertrophy of the cervix in most cases develops against a background of chronic inflammation. The fact is that in the mucous layer lining the cervix, there are many glandular structures that can expand under certain factors. This is how hypertrophy develops. Cysts of the cervix with this disease can also develop - in such cases, doctors talk about the glandular-cystic form of the pathology.

Cystic hypertrophy and its features

The cystic form of hypertrophy is a fairly common problem. It is associated with the formation of cysts, which are benign formations with a clearly defined membrane and liquid contents. This form of the disease develops when the mucous glands are clogged in the cervical tissues. Because of the outflow, the secret begins to accumulate in the cavity of the gland - this is how the pseudo-cysts are formed. In most cases, they are small and multiple, but sometimes they can merge into one large structure.

As a rule, the cause of cyst formation is either chronic inflammation or hormonal disorders. If cystic hypertrophy is diagnosed in time, medication can be effective.

Cicatricial form of hypertrophy

Cicatricial cervical hypertrophy is mostly the result of injuries to the cervical mucosa. Among the causes can be attributed to childbirth (with a rupture of the perineal tissue), scraping and abortion. For one reason or another, habitual tissue regeneration does not occur. Instead, the process of tissue scarring starts. Due to the formation of scars (scars), the size of the uterine neck increases.

Modern diagnostic methods

In the presence of discomfort and the appearance of any alarming symptoms, it is worthwhile to see a doctor. By the way, cervical hypertrophy is quite often discovered by chance. Suspicions for the presence of this pathology, as a rule, arise in the doctor during a planned gynecological examination with the use of mirrors.

In the future, of course, additional examinations are conducted to make an accurate diagnosis. In most cases, an ultrasound is indicated that helps determine whether an increase in the volume of the cervix is the result of a pathological process or pregnancy.

Sometimes an X-ray examination using contrast medium is additionally carried out. A very informative method is colposcopy, since the doctor has the opportunity to examine the tissues of the cervix well, and also to take samples for analysis, which are then sent to the laboratory (as it is possible, for example, to exclude the possibility of malignant cell degeneration).

Hypertrophy of the cervix: treatment

After determining the exact diagnosis, the doctor will be able to draw up a competent therapy regimen. What measures does cervical hypertrophy require? Treatment depends on the form and causes of the pathology. It can be conservative or surgical (by the way, quite often patients are prescribed a combination therapy that prescribes taking medications and surgical intervention). In turn, surgical interventions can be minimally invasive.

Conservative therapy is necessary in the event that, for example, the cause of hypertrophy is the inflammatory process. In such cases, patients are prescribed antibacterial (antiviral, antifungal) drugs, vitamin complexes, immunomodulators to strengthen the immune system. If the pathology develops against a background of hormonal imbalance, hormonal drugs will be effective.

Quite often the patient needs surgical treatment, the purpose of which is to restore the normal structure and functioning of the internal genital organs. At the initial stages, minimally invasive procedures are possible. For example, the thermocoagulation of the set cysts can be performed. Sometimes excess muscle mass is excised by electric current or destroyed by treating with liquid nitrogen.

In more severe cases, the cervix is excised with a scalpel. A fairly new, but promising method is radio wave conization, in which the doctor removes excess tissue mass by means of a radio wave knife. By the way, the removed tissue is then sent to a laboratory study to determine the exact cause of the pathology and check for the presence of cancer cells.

Sometimes amputation of the cervix is necessary . If a woman does not plan to give birth, the doctor can recommend removal of the uterus and appendages.

Projections for Patients

Hypertrophy of the cervix is a dangerous disease, which in no case can not be ignored. If the patient has undergone treatment on time, then the predictions for her are positive, since in most cases it is possible to completely restore the structure and functioning of the reproductive system.

Nevertheless, in the absence of skilled care, the disease becomes more severe. Running cases are fraught with infertility. The fact is that because of the increase and edema of the cervix, spermatozoa simply can not penetrate inside the uterus and the fallopian tube for fertilization. Often against the background of hypertrophy there is a change in the hormonal background, which also leads to infertility and more fundamental changes in the woman's body.

In addition, other complications are possible. In particular, cystic hypertrophy of the cervix can be accompanied by a ruptured cyst. Against the background of uterine fibroids may be intense bleeding. With this pathology, the risk of myomatous node, leukoplakia and other diseases, up to precancerous conditions, is increased. In addition, against the background of the disease inflammatory processes and scar tissue changes take place, and after that it is much more difficult to normalize the reproductive system, even considering the possibilities of modern medicine.

Are there methods of prevention?

Unfortunately, for today there are no really effective ways to prevent such a disease as cervical hypertrophy. Causes of pathology are known, and therefore prevention is reduced to avoiding risk factors. In particular, it is not recommended to start a sexual life in early, adolescence. Also, avoid frequent changes of partners, as in this case the probability of infection with various pathogenic microorganisms, including the human papillomavirus, increases.

Women are recommended at least once every six months to undergo gynecological examination, to do vaginal swabs, to take tests. The sooner a disease is discovered, the more likely it is to have a quick and successful treatment.