Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Cervicitis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Cervical inflammation; Inflammation - cervix


Symptoms
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
    • After intercourse
    • After menopause
    • Between periods
  • Unusual vaginal discharge
    • Does not go away
    • Gray, white, or yellow color
    • May have an odor
  • Painful sexual intercourse
  • Pain in the vagina
  • Pressure or heaviness in the pelvis

Note: There may be no symptoms, so it is recommended that certain women be tested for chlamydia, even if they do not have symptoms.


Signs and tests

A pelvic examination may show:

  • Discharge from the cervix
  • Redness of the cervix
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the walls of the vagina

Tests:

  • Inspection of the discharge under a microscope (may show candidiasis, trichomoniasis, or bacterial vaginosis)
  • Pap smear
  • Tests for gonorrhea or chlamydia

Rarely, colposcopy and biopsy of the cervix is necessary.


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)