What are the symptoms of cervicitis in women?

Symptoms of female cervicitis mainly include increased vaginal discharge, contact bleeding, lower abdominal pain, vulvar itching and abnormal urination. Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervical mucosa and submucosal tissue, mostly caused by pathogenic infection, mechanical stimulation or chemical damage.

1. Increased vaginal discharge

Patients with cervicitis often develop white or yellow purulent leucorrhea, which is sticky and may have an odor. The increase in secretions is related to the hypersecretion of cervical glands stimulated by inflammation, and a fishy smell may occur when combined with bacterial infection. It is necessary to check the cervical secretions to determine the type of pathogen, and avoid using irritating lotions to clean the vulva.

2. Contact bleeding

A small amount of vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse or during a gynecological examination is a typical symptom. Cervical congestion and edema make the tissue fragile and easily damaged. It needs to be differentiated from cervical precancerous lesions, and cervical TCT and HPV screening are recommended. Sexual intercourse should be prohibited during bleeding to avoid aggravating mucosal damage.

3. Lower abdominal pain

When inflammation spreads to the pelvic cavity, it can cause persistent pain or soreness, which may worsen after activity. Pain is related to increased prostaglandin secretion and pelvic congestion, and hot compresses can temporarily relieve symptoms. If it is accompanied by fever, you need to be alert to pelvic inflammatory disease, and anti-infective treatment must be carried out in time.

4. Vulvar itching

Inflammatory secretions may irritate the vulvar skin, causing itching or burning sensation, and scratching may lead to secondary infection. Keep your vulva clean and dry, and wear breathable cotton underwear. When fungal cervicitis is combined with vulvovaginal candidiasis, the symptoms of itching are more significant.

5. Abnormal urination

Inflammation involving the bladder trigone may cause frequent urination and urgency, but routine urine examination is usually normal. It is related to cervical lymphatic diffusion inflammation stimulating nerve reflexes and needs to be differentiated from urinary tract infection. In the acute stage, you should increase the amount of water you drink to avoid holding in your urine and aggravating the discomfort.

Patients with cervicitis need to avoid frequent vaginal douching and prohibit sexual intercourse during treatment. You should choose loose cotton underwear and change it every day, and change sanitary napkins frequently during menstruation. Reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods in the diet, and supplement vitamin C appropriately to enhance immunity. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks or are accompanied by fever, colposcopy and pathogen culture need to be performed promptly. Regular gynecological examinations can help detect cervical lesions early, and vaccination with HPV can reduce the probability of some types of cervicitis.