The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus, through which menstrual blood flows. During childbirth, the cervix dilates, allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal. Like any other tissue in the body, the cervix can also become inflamed for a variety of reasons.
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the tissues of the cervical canal. According to the US National Library of Medicine, half of women suffer from it at some point in their lives.
The most common cause of cervicitis is an infection, which may or may not be associated with sexual contact. Cervicitis can be acute or chronic. Acute cervicitis is characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms, while chronic cervicitis usually lasts for several months.
Acute cervicitis most often occurs due to sexually transmitted infections such as:
- herpes;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis;
- human papillomavirus (HPV);
- Gonorrhea.
It can also be due to an infection caused by other factors, such as an allergy to condom latex, or be the result of a hypersensitivity to the chemicals in tampons. Common vaginal infections can also be the cause of cervicitis.
The chronic form of the disease usually appears after birth. It is also possible to develop during pregnancy.
There are times when the condition occurs without the onset of symptoms, but when they are present, these include:
- vaginal bleeding;
- White or gray discharge from the vagina, which may have an unpleasant odor;
- pain in the vagina;
- Feeling of tension in the pelvic area;
- Back pain.
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