Erosion of the cervix - small sores on the mucosa. Often, such a formation occurs as a result of infection, hormonal disorders occurring in the body.
This disease is characterized by the fact that at the initial stages of its development, a woman has practically no symptoms that would allow timely diagnosis. During the examination, the doctor may detect redness on the epithelium of the cervix. At the very beginning, this disease is not at all dangerous, but over time it develops into a malignant pathology, and various complications arise, including infertility.
What are the types of disease
Doctors distinguish two types of this disease: true erosion of the cervix and pseudo-erosion. In addition, young girls and adolescents may have a congenital type of the disease.
True erosion of the cervix - an ulcer that has a red color, located around the external pharynx. The epithelium at the site of the lesion is multi-layered, when it is sloughed off or rejected, serious damage is formed and begins to develop.inflammation. This condition, fortunately, responds well to treatment.
When pseudo-erosion occurs, a more dangerous situation is observed. Very often the epithelium is displaced towards the neck. More often, this type of erosion looks like a large red wound, which in some cases can fester. Microorganisms that create the microflora of the vagina have a bad effect on tissues, provoking inflammation. At the same time, the epithelium does not have protective qualities, therefore it cannot provide a barrier to the penetration of bacteria and viruses. It is this type of erosion that can lead to cancer. It often occurs in women with elevated hormone levels and proceeds quite rapidly until the inflammation is eliminated.
Causes of occurrence
It is important to understand exactly what it is - cervical erosion (photos in medical reference books clearly demonstrate lesions), what are its varieties, causes, what characterizes the violation and how is the treatment carried out. The main cause of pseudo-erosion is:
- hormonal changes during pregnancy;
- postpartum disorders;
- taking birth control pills.
The causes of cervical erosion are:
- mechanical damage;
- exposure to chemicals;
- infectious diseases.
Such a violation can occur with too frequent or intense sexual contact, the introduction of intrauterine contraceptives or tampons,after childbirth or abortion. In addition, damage can occur when improper topical treatment, use of spermicides, douching.
Among the causes of cervical erosion are ovarian dysfunction, menstrual cycle failure, an excess of hormones. In addition, reduced immunity and chronic diseases can provoke education.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cervical erosion can manifest themselves in completely different ways, it all depends on the characteristics of the course and the types of pathology. Doctors distinguish several forms of this disease:
- true;
- congenital;
- pseudo-erosion.
The congenital type is characterized by the fact that there is a displacement of the area between the cylindrical and stratified epithelium. The cause of this violation is the incomplete process of formation of epithelial tissues. With this form of cervical erosion, symptoms are almost completely absent.
The true type of disease manifests itself in the presence of a wound surface on the mucous membrane, which is often red and bleeds when touched. During the course of the inflammatory process, corresponding discharges are observed.
The development of pseudo-erosion occurs when the true erosion changes. This form of the disease is characterized by the gradual healing of the wound as a result of the replacement of the squamous epithelium with a cylindrical one. This process is fraught with serious consequences. In addition, this type of disease becomes the focus of a chronic inflammatory process. In this case, such symptoms of cervical erosion can be observed,like:
- bloody, mucous or purulent discharge;
- discomfort during intercourse;
- menstrual disorders.
For a long time, the disease may not manifest itself at all, but at the same time provoke the development of a chronic inflammatory process, as well as more dangerous complications, including malignant neoplasms.
That is why, for the timely detection and treatment of cervical erosion, you need to visit a doctor, as only this will make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
Symptoms relate to changes in the consistency and color of vaginal discharge. It is worth noting that in the norm they should not be at all. Therefore, such symptoms may indicate various pathologies.
When erosion occurs in an advanced stage, the discharge becomes bloody, often they appear after sexual contact. The eroded surface loses its protective layer. In the presence of erosion in a pregnant woman, blood can be released quite abundantly due to a decrease in clotting and an increase in trauma to the mucous membranes.
Sometimes, when inflammation occurs, a woman has painful urination. The discharge is mostly thick and white, but may be of a different color and consistency. When cervical erosion occurs, you should immediately visit a doctor for diagnosis, as well as subsequent therapy.
Diagnostics
Given that there are no symptoms during cervical erosion, it is important to visit a doctor periodically. If there are specific complaints,in addition to the standard examination, a number of additional diagnostic procedures are prescribed.
Gynecological examination of the walls of the vagina is carried out using a special gynecological mirror. During the diagnosis, the doctor may notice a modified area on the neck. It is easily distinguished by its brighter, grainier surface.
One of the research methods is colposcopy. This procedure involves examining the vagina using a special optical device. It does not need to be prepared in advance, it is completely painless. This will allow you to consider erosion more carefully, especially if it is small. In addition, the colposcopy method makes it possible to determine the type of lesion. In parallel, a biopsy may be required, which will provide a complete histological picture. Such a study is performed if a malignant neoplasm is suspected.
A number of laboratory tests helps to identify the causative agent of pathology and choose the most effective treatment. In this case, a vaginal swab will be required, as well as blood sampling.
Erosion treatment
Depending on the degree of leakage, the cause of cervical erosion, treatment is selected purely individually. The choice of therapy technique largely depends on the degree of injury, as well as the technical capabilities and experience of the doctor.
In particular, medications, folk remedies andsurgery. Conservative therapy and folk methods can be effective in the course of pathology at the initial stage. With a more complex lesion, surgical treatment is carried out using various techniques.
Conservative methods
Conservative methods of erosion treatment should be selected and carried out exclusively by a specialist. If the disease occurs in young women who have never given birth, then treatment can be carried out without surgical intervention. Equally important is the medical correction of the cause that provoked the formation of erosion.
For this, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral, antibacterial, hormonal drugs, and if necessary, topical drugs can be additionally prescribed. The complex of therapy includes medications that enhance immunity.
With timely detection of pathology and complex treatment, you can achieve a good result even without surgical intervention. Often the drug "Solkagin" is prescribed. It is applied directly to the affected mucosa, providing a cauterizing effect. As a result, a crust forms over the lesion, which disappears after 3-4 days. Conservative methods do not provoke almost any side effects.
There is a completely new method of treatment. It consists in exposure to polychromatic light, which has an immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and healing effect. The procedure is carried out byusing a special device. Such a technique allows, without surgical intervention, to accelerate the healing of the ulcer.
Surgery
Some types of pathology require surgical intervention, but before carrying out cauterization of cervical erosion, stabilization of the hormonal background will be required. These types of treatments include:
- electrocoagulation;
- cryolysis;
- laser destruction;
- radio wave therapy.
Cauterization of cervical erosion by applying current is one of the very first methods of therapy. A few years ago it was quite in demand, but now it is used much less frequently, as it is quite painful. In addition, as a result of the treatment, a scar is formed, which adversely affects the process of childbirth. The cervix may rupture along the scar, and also slowly opens, which is an indication for a caesarean section. Erosion of the cervix after cauterization may repeat again, so the electrocoagulation method is indicated only for women who have given birth.
Cryodestruction - nitrogen freezing, which is widely used not only in gynecology, but also in dermatology. The dangerous part of the cervix is frozen. Within a few days, a crust forms on the mucosa, which then disappears and a clean mucosa without scars remains. The procedure is affordable and widely used. Side effects can be pulling pains in the lower abdomen and spotting. The procedure is being carried outwithout anesthesia or with Lidocaine spray.
Treatment of cervical erosion with a laser requires adherence to basic rules and special accuracy. The laser can burn large areas of the affected mucosa without injuring adjacent tissues. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually does not lead to relapses.
The most modern treatment for cervical erosion is the radio wave method. This procedure is performed using a special apparatus "Surgitron". The time of its implementation is minimal, and there are practically no side effects.
Treatment with folk remedies
Folk methods are widely used for the treatment of erosion. An alternative to surgery or medication may be to use homemade tampons made from honey wrapped in a bandage or gauze. Such a tampon should be inserted as deep as possible into the vagina at night.
It is also advised to make similar products from a piece of pumpkin without peel and seeds or an onion soaked in warm butter. In addition, a piece of gauze dipped in propolis will do. Often women douche with a decoction or infusion of calendula and wash with infusion of onion peel.
In case of erosion, tampons soaked in sea buckthorn oil are used. Treatment using such a remedy is short-lived, since the healing of the epithelium occurs literally in 8-12 days. The oil is used to treat erosion in pregnant women, as well as for colpitis.
Douching can be donedecoction of St. John's wort, sage, chamomile, as this allows you to eliminate inflammation and pathogens. It is worth noting that alternative treatment cannot fully guarantee a cure for this disease. That is why, you must first consult a doctor and carry out therapy only under the supervision of a doctor.
Possible Complications
Erosion can have very dangerous consequences, especially if the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is delayed. In some cases, the disease turns into cancer, and also provokes the development of infectious processes and inflammation.
The consequences of the disease adversely affect the reproductive system, as they interfere with the normal functioning of the uterus. Incorrect treatment can lead to scarring, which is a major problem when opening the cervix during delivery. Therefore, after a previous erosion, when planning a pregnancy, it is imperative to undergo a rehabilitation course to soften the scars.
Prevention measures
Important preventive measures are regular examinations by a doctor, which makes it possible to quickly determine changes in the mucosa. In addition, great importance is given to the timely treatment of diseases that can lead to the degeneration of the mucosa.
Prophylaxis requires careful hygiene, well-chosen contraception and a preventive visit to the gynecologist.
Is it possible to get pregnant with erosion and after treatment
Erosion does not provoke infertility, therefore it is not an obstacle to conceiving a child. In the presence of pseudo-erosion, a woman can safely plan the birth of a baby. No specific treatment is needed in this case; no complications occur during childbearing and delivery.
With true erosion, it is recommended to postpone the planning of the birth of a child for a while and initially carry out treatment. Sexual infections that cause this disease can cause infertility or harm the fetus.
Often, after a comprehensive and adequate treatment, a woman may well become pregnant. After cauterization, there is a minimal risk of infertility. In this regard, it is not recommended to use a similar method of therapy if pregnancy is planned in the future.
Erosion during pregnancy
Experts say that the presence of erosion during pregnancy does not bear absolutely any consequences and danger to the fetus. The most important thing in this case is the absence of infection of the genital tract and pathological changes in the smear.
It is worth noting that the occurrence of such a pathology in the body can lead to a decrease in immunity, as well as the occurrence of hormonal disorders. This can lead to intrauterine infection. Treatment of erosion during pregnancy is not carried out, the only exception is the degeneration of this pathology into a malignant form. In the presence of erosion 2 months after childbirth, it is imperative to visit a gynecologist, as well as to carry out treatment.
Treatment reviews
Cauterization of cervical erosion is often performed, patient reviews of this method of treatment are rather ambiguous. Many say that such a procedure is painful, and can also lead to scarring on the mucosa. Some patients speak positively about this treatment method, saying that it does not cause discomfort and is completely safe.
About folk methods of therapy for cervical erosion, women leave mostly good reviews. Patients speak especially positively about the use of sea buckthorn oil and tampons with honey. The most important thing is that there is no allergy to these products.
This gynecological problem can be dangerous, and in some cases causes significant discomfort, so it is important to conduct timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
