Endocervicitis (or Cervicitis) is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterine cervix. Cervicitis may be caused by a vaginal infection, a sexually transmitted disease (such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or genital herpes), or injuries to the cervix from childbirth, abortion, or surgery on the uterus. Cervicitis can be an acute or chronic condition.
Acute cervicitis is often symptomless and may be an incidental finding during a routine pelvic exam. Although acute cervicitis can be symptomless, chronic cervicitis may include the following symptoms: abnormal blood-streaked vaginal discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, painful menstrual periods, spotting between periods, lower abdominal pain, backache, fever, painful urination, and change in urinary frequency or urgency. A yellowish discharge may indicate a chlamydia infection.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of the infection, treatment is with antibiotics. Herpes infections are treated with Acyclovir; it controls but does not cure the infection and gives symptomatic relief. Since chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted, the individual's sexual partner(s) need to be treated, as well. If symptoms persist, the infected tissue on the cervix is destroyed with heat (cauterization), freezing (cryotherapy), or laser therapy. Minor injuries to the cervix (such as a tear in the sidewall that may occur during childbirth) are repaired, usually immediately after delivery.