Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Cervicitis is swelling (inflammation) of the end of the uterus (
Alternative Names
Cervical inflammation; Inflammation - cervix
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Cervicitis is most often caused by an infection, usually caught during sexual activity. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause cervicitis include:
Chlamydia Gonorrhea - Herpes virus (
genital herpes ) - Human papilloma virus (
genital warts ) Trichomoniasis
However, in a few cases it may be due to:
- A device inserted into the pelvic area such as:
- Cervical cap
- Device to support the uterus (pessary)
- Diaphragm
- An allergy to spermicides used for birth control or to latex in condoms
- Exposure to a chemical
Cervicitis is very common, affecting more than half of all women at some point during their adult life. Risks include:
- High-risk sexual behavior
- History of STDs
- Many sexual partners
- Sex (intercourse) at an early age
- Sexual partners who have engaged in high-risk sexual behavior or have had an STD
Bacteria (such as staphylococcus and streptococcus) and too much growth of normal bacteria in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis) can also cause cervicitis.
Review Date: 02/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget
Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
