Quite often, after visiting the gynecologist's office, women hear for the first time about a diagnosis called "cervical ectopia." This term is not entirely clear to a person without a medical education, and therefore the patients are trying to find additional information on this topic.
So what is this pathology? How dangerous is she? Under the influence of what factors does the disease develop and is it possible to somehow prevent its occurrence? What symptoms should be looked out for? The answers to these questions will benefit many readers.
Ectopia cervical and cervical endocervicosis: what is it?
Of course, first of all, women are interested in the question of what constitutes this disease. In fact, the disease is known in medicine under different terms - this is both pseudo-erosion and endocervicosis of the cervix. What is it and how dangerous can it be?
To answer the question, you must first consider the features of the female anatomy. The cervix is the lower part of the organ that connectsvagina and uterine cavity. The cervical canal runs inside the cervix. The vaginal part of the cervix is covered with very characteristic squamous epithelial cells, which are arranged in several layers. But the cervical canal is lined with one layer of cylindrical epithelium. In some patients, for one reason or another, cylindrical cells spread to the vaginal part of the cervix, replacing the stratified squamous epithelium. In such cases, women are diagnosed with cervical ectopia with squamous metaplasia.
Physiological ectopia - what is it?
It is worth noting that this pathology is not always dangerous. Special therapy is prescribed only if there is a risk of complications.
In some cases, the replacement of squamous epithelium is considered the norm at all. For example, such changes in the structure of the cervix are often found in adolescent girls and young women. This tissue change is associated with an increase in the level of sex hormones (estrogens), which is completely normal at this age.
Physiological reasons include pregnancy, because during this period of a woman's life, the body also goes through significant hormonal changes.
What are the causes of the pathological process?
There are other risk factors that can lead to abnormal expansion of the columnar epithelium.
- If we are talking about external influences, then cervical ectopia can develop against the background of penetrationinfections in the cervical tissue (including venereal diseases).
- Risk factors include early onset of sexual activity, trauma to the cervix during intercourse, promiscuity, use of barrier contraceptives (eg, spirals), too much use of spermicides.
- Cervical injury can occur during childbirth, abortion, diagnostic or therapeutic curettage.
- As for internal factors, they include hormonal imbalance, for example, in case of disease of certain organs of the endocrine system.
- Endogenous causes also include prolonged inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, against which cervical ectopia (cervicitis and other ailments) can develop.
- There is an assumption that the development of pathology can lead to the use of hormonal contraceptives, as well as bad habits (especially smoking), work in hazardous industries and hereditary predisposition. However, the importance of these factors has not yet been proven, and therefore among researchers the question remains open.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Cervical ectopia of the cervix rarely leads to any deterioration in well-being. As a rule, pathology is discovered by chance during a routine examination. External symptoms appear only if the ectopia is complicated by inflammation.
Signs include the appearance of uncharacteristic leucorrhea with an unpleasant odor, as well as itching and discomfort in the vulva. Some women complainfor pain during intercourse, as well as the appearance of spotting at its completion. There may be burning and soreness during urination. But again, these symptoms indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the neck.
Ectopia and pregnancy: how dangerous is it?
In this case, much depends on whether cervical ectopia was detected before or during pregnancy. If the pathology was diagnosed during the planning period of the child, then treatment is necessary, especially if an inflammatory process with infection was detected during the studies. In such cases, antibiotic therapy is necessary, after which the pathology site is cauterized.
If ectopia has already formed during pregnancy, then most likely it is associated with physiological changes and does not require treatment. In any case, the expectant mother should undergo regular examinations and take tests. When an infection is attached, sparing antibacterial treatment is carried out. However, you can cauterize the "wound" only 6-8 weeks after birth.
Chronic disease
The chronic form of the disease is said to be in the event that ectopia, along with complications in the form of an inflammatory process, was not diagnosed in time. Prolonged inflammation is accompanied by approximately the same symptoms as the acute form - patients complain of soreness, unpleasant discharge, itching in the genital area.
The chronic form is much more difficult to treat and requires additional diagnosticevents. If inflammation of the cervical canal and ectopia are not treated, then other complications may appear, up to infertility.
Modern diagnostic methods
In fact, cervical ectopia is a pathology that is quite easy to detect with a standard gynecological examination using mirrors. When the cylindrical cells of the cervix extend beyond the allowable limits, then these areas become more red. The cervix seems to be covered with small wounds.
Of course, in the future, other studies are needed for differential diagnosis (this pathology must be distinguished from, for example, true erosion, oncological diseases):
- To begin with, a cell scraping is taken from the cervical canal. The samples are then sent for cytological analysis, which helps determine the presence of a malignant transformation.
- A colposcopy is performed, and the doctor examines the structure and condition of the cervix using special solutions to which he althy and altered cells react differently.
- Biopsy is a study that is performed when cancer is suspected. During the procedure, the doctor cuts a small area, obtaining tissue samples for further laboratory testing.
- Bacteriological culture of samples taken from the cervical canal allows you to determine whether there is a bacterial infection, as well as to find out the exact type of pathogen, to find out its resistance to certain speciesantibiotics.
- PCR study is indicated for suspected viral infection - this is perhaps the only way to accurately determine the pathogen by the features of its DNA.
Drug treatment and its effectiveness
What to do if you have cervical ectopia? In some cases, treatment may not be required at all. For example, in adolescent girls, pathology often disappears on its own after the normalization of hormone levels. The same applies to pregnant women - ectopia heals after childbirth and lactation.
Specific drug therapy is required if the pathology is complicated by infection. Depending on the type of pathogen, the patient is prescribed antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal drugs. If the ectopia is associated with a hormonal imbalance, appropriate treatment with hormonal drugs can be carried out.
Other therapies
In addition to drug treatment, sometimes it is necessary to remove the site of the pathology itself in order to prevent further "spreading" of the cylindrical epithelium. Modern medicine offers several ways:
- Cryodestruction - an area with pathologically altered tissues is exposed to ultra-low temperatures (in fact, liquid nitrogen).
- Chemical destruction - a procedure in which the cylindrical epithelium is destroyed using chemically aggressive solutions (for example, Vagotil, Solkovagin).
- Diathermocoagulation - cauterization of pseudo-erosionusing electric currents.
- Radio wave therapy is a technique that allows you to eliminate pathological areas using high-frequency currents, and without direct contact with the tissues of the cervix.
- Laser destruction is a technique that allows you to quickly remove foci of the disease, minimizing the risk of tissue infection. This technology requires almost no recovery period.
Are there preventive methods?
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or any other medicine that can prevent the development of such a disease. However, if you avoid risk factors and follow some standard guidelines, you can minimize the likelihood of such a pathology as ectopic cervical epithelium.
In particular, it is worth giving up promiscuity, and in any case, use protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Any infectious or inflammatory disease of the pelvic organs should be treated in time, because then the likelihood of complications is reduced. In no case should you arbitrarily use hormonal drugs (including contraceptives). It is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene.
