Cervicitis

cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix of the uterus, caused by infection or irritation. It is most common during the years of menstruation. Cervicitis can be acute or chronic and may worsen during pregnancy. It does not cause pain but may lead to polyps. The major symptom is an abundant discharge, which can impair fertility. Treatment may include antibiotics or cauterization or surgery to repair or remove the cervix; this does not affect fertility.

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cervicitis [‚sər·və′sīd·əs]

(medicine)

Inflammation of the cervix uteri.

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Cervicitis 

(also trachelitis), inflammation of the neck, or cervix, of the uterus caused by the penetration of gonococci, staphylococci, streptococci, colon bacilli, or trichomonads from the vagina into the canal of the cervix. Cervicitis may be accompanied by other gynecological disorders, including vaginitis, metritis, and salpingo-oophoritis.

The disease may be acute, subacute, or chronic. Acute cervicitis is manifested by mild pain in the lower part of the abdomen and lumbar region and by leukorrhea. There may be no subjective symptoms in the chronic stage. Leukorrhea may lead to cervical erosion. Discharges from the cervix are examined to identify the causative agent of the infection. Treatment varies with the cause and stage of the disease: rest, antibiotics, and sulfanilamides are prescribed for acute cervicitis, and physical therapy and other local treatments are used to treat chronic cervicitis.