Inflammation of the cervix, usually due to an infection, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydial infections, or genital herpes (see herpes, genital). Cervical infection may follow injury to the cervix during childbirth or surgery. The acute form of cervicitis often does not produce symptoms, although there may be a discharge from the inflamed cervix. The chronic form may produce a vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding from the vagina, and pain low in the abdomen. Untreated cervicitis can spread to cause endometritis, salpingitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. If cervicitis is present in the mother, her baby may be infected during delivery resulting in neonatal ophthalmia or, less commonly, pneumonia due to chlamydial infection.
Treatment is with antibiotics or with antiviral drugs. If symptoms persist, the inflamed area of cervix may be cauterized by electrocoagulation, cryotherapy, or laser treatment.
In?ammation of the cervix uteri or neck of the womb.
n. inflammation of the neck (cervix) of the uterus.
The muscular passage, forming part of the female reproductive system, between the cervix and the external genitalia. The vagina has muscular walls, which are highly elastic to allowsexual intercourse and childbirth and are richly supplied with blood vessels. vaginal bleeding Bleeding, via the vagina, that may come from the uterus, the cervix, or from the vagina itself.
The most common source of bleeding is the uterus and the most likely reason for it is menstruation. From puberty to the menopause, menstrual bleeding usually occurs at regular intervals. However, problems may occur with either the character or the timing of the bleeding (see menstruation, disorders of).
Nonmenstrual bleeding from the uterus may be due to a variety of causes. Hormonal drugs, such as oral contraceptives, can cause spotting. Other possible causes include endometritis, endometrial cancer (see uterus, cancer of), and fibroids. In early pregnancy, bleeding may be a sign of threatened miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it may indicate placenta praevia or placental abruption (see antepartum haemorrhage).
Bleeding from the cervix may be due to cervical erosion, in which case it may occur after intercourse. Cervicitis and polyps may also cause bleeding. More seriously, bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer (see cervix, cancer of).
A possible cause of bleeding from the vagina is injury during intercourse, especially following the menopause, when the walls of the vagina become thinner and more fragile. Occasionally, severe vaginitis causes bleeding. Rarely, vaginal bleeding is caused by cancer of the vagina.... vagina
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