Cervicitis means inflammation of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It is common, it often causes no symptoms at all, and when it is caused by an infection it is usually easy to treat with antibiotics. What matters is finding it, because an untreated infection of the cervix can spread upward and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility.
Symptoms
Many people with cervicitis have no symptoms, and it is found during a routine exam or screening. When there are symptoms, the common ones are:
- Unusual vaginal discharge, which may be yellow, gray or have an odor
- Bleeding after sex, or spotting between periods
- Pain during sex
- Discomfort or burning with urination
- Pelvic or lower back ache
Fever, significant pelvic pain or feeling unwell suggest the infection may have spread, and need to be seen promptly.
Causes
Most cervicitis is caused by an infection, usually one passed on during sex:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most common infectious causes
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes simplex
- Mycoplasma genitalium
It can also be linked to bacterial vaginosis, and it can have non-infectious causes: irritation or allergy from douches, spermicides or latex, or from something left in the vagina such as a forgotten tampon. In some people no cause is found.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis is straightforward and done in the office:
- A pelvic exam. An inflamed cervix may look red, bleed easily when touched, or have discharge coming from the opening.
- Swab or urine tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and usually for trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium.
- A look at vaginal discharge under the microscope, to check for bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
Cervicitis can sometimes show up as inflammation on a Pap test. That is different from abnormal cervical cells: inflammation on its own is not a precancer finding. If you also have an abnormal Pap or HPV result, that is handled separately. See colposcopy after an abnormal Pap.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause:
- If an infection is likely, antibiotics are usually started at the visit, often before test results are back, so that the infection is treated quickly. The usual first treatment covers chlamydia; gonorrhea is treated too when the risk or the test says so.
- When tests identify a specific infection, treatment is matched to it: for example, a different medication for trichomoniasis or herpes.
- If the cause is an irritant, stopping the product is often enough.
Three things make treatment work:
- Your sexual partners need to be tested and treated, or the infection comes straight back.
- Avoid sex until treatment is finished and symptoms are gone — for most antibiotic courses, until seven days after you and your partner have both finished treatment.
- Get retested about three months later if the cause was chlamydia or gonorrhea, because reinfection is common.
There is no reliable home remedy for infectious cervicitis. Douching or vaginal products can make it worse. If you have symptoms, get tested rather than waiting.
Healing time
With the right antibiotic, symptoms usually improve within a few days, and most infections clear by the end of the course. Discharge and spotting may take a little longer to settle. If symptoms have not improved after treatment, come back: the cause may be a different infection, reinfection, or a non-infectious cause that needs a different approach.
Cervicitis in pregnancy
Infections that cause cervicitis matter more in pregnancy, because some can affect the pregnancy or pass to the baby during birth. That is why chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is part of routine prenatal care. Treatment is safe in pregnancy with the appropriate antibiotics.
Prevention
- Use condoms, especially with new partners
- Get screened: chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is recommended every year for sexually active women under 25, and for older women with new or multiple partners
- Avoid douching and irritating vaginal products
- Make sure partners are treated when you are
Read more about STD testing and treatment, or book STI testing with us.
Frequently asked questions
Can cervicitis go away on its own?
Cervicitis from an irritant can settle once the irritant is removed. Cervicitis from an infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea needs antibiotics; left untreated it can spread and cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
How long does cervicitis take to heal?
With the right antibiotic, symptoms usually improve within a few days and the infection clears by the end of the course. Avoid sex until seven days after you and your partner have finished treatment.
Is cervicitis a sexually transmitted infection?
Cervicitis itself is inflammation, not an infection. But it is most often caused by infections passed on during sex, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, which is why partners need testing and treatment.
Can cervicitis affect fertility?
The inflammation itself does not, but an untreated infection can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility. Prompt treatment prevents this.
Talk to us
If you have symptoms, or you want testing, call us at (773) 661-9049 or book an appointment. Testing is confidential, and we can advise on partner treatment.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice for any individual. If you have fever, severe pelvic pain or feel unwell, seek care promptly.