Inflammatory diseases of the genital organs occupy a leading position among the main causes of infertility in women. They are accompanied by uncharacteristic vaginal discharge and discomfort in the lower abdomen. Many of the fair sex ignore such symptoms, attributing them to stress or hypothermia. Among all the pathologies of the female reproductive system, inflammation of the cervical canal occupies an "honorable" place. This is a common disease that responds well to treatment. However, the neglect of the doctor's recommendations for many ladies ends in infertility. What else is dangerous disease?
Essence of pathology
The cervical canal connects the vagina to the uterine cavity. It has the shape of a cone or cylinder, and its length does not exceed 4 cm. The cervical canal of the cervix performs two functions: it protects against infections and promotes the advancement of spermatozoa during the period of ovulation. Under the influence of various external and / or internal factors, its mucosa may become inflamed. This disease is called endocervicitis. It does not pose a danger to women's he alth with timely diagnosis and proper treatment. Otherwise, the pathological process can lead to serious complications.
Main causes of endocervicitis
Inflammation of the cervical canal can have an etiology of both infectious and non-infectious nature. In the first case, various pathogenic microorganisms (Candida fungi, streptococci, chlamydia, gonococci, papillomas, and others) act as disease-provoking factors. Most often they enter the body sexually. However, infection is also possible through the digestive tract or lymphatic system. Non-infectious inflammation of the cervical canal in most cases is due to external influences or congenital anatomical defects. This group of causes includes injuries, radiation exposure, tumor formations.
Separately, factors that indirectly affect the development of the inflammatory process should be considered:
- decrease in local immunity;
- frequent stress;
- menstruation;
- damage to uterine tissue due to abortion, insertion of a coil.
Normally, the mucous plug is always in the lumen of the cervical canal. It protects the uterus from pathogenic flora. Due to various medical manipulations, the cork is deformed, its chemical composition changes. As a result, any infection freely penetrates into the uterine cavity, causing inflammation. Pathogenic flora can also enter the cervical canal along with menstrual blood. Therefore, during this period, it is necessary to pay special attention to hygiene.genitals.
Symptoms and manifestations of the disease
Inflammation of the cervical canal is characterized by a certain clinical picture. First, an unpleasant itching and burning sensation appears in the genital area. Then the symptoms are supplemented by abdominal discomfort and copious discharge. The lack of timely treatment of the acute form of the disease is dangerous by its transformation into a chronic one. In this case, the described symptoms disappear. However, this does not mean that the woman recovered without medical attention. The body thus adapted to the infection, and the disease passed into a latent form. If therapy is neglected at this stage, inflammation can spread to neighboring organs. The prolonged course of the disease leads to changes in the tissues of the uterine canal. As a result, doctors diagnose erosion or dysplasia. The inflammatory process changes the qualitative composition of the mucus produced in the cervix, which threatens infertility.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of inflammation give rise to a diagnostic examination that allows you to differentiate the pathology from other diseases. What tests are required?
- Bacterial culture from the cervical canal to determine the causative agent of pathology.
- Colposcopy allows you to assess the affected area.
- Cytological examination helps to determine the condition of epithelial cells.
- Smear microscopy is necessary to identify pathogenic flora, assessinflammatory process (confirm the presence of leukocytes in the cervical canal).
Only after a complete examination of the patient and identification of the pathogen, the doctor can make a final diagnosis, choose therapy.
Medication treatment
The treatment regimen for inflammation depends on its severity and the type of pathogen. Therefore, even at the stage of diagnosis, a bacterial culture from the cervical canal is prescribed. Drug therapy solves several problems at the same time: elimination of pathogenic flora, symptoms of the disease, prevention of relapses. Most often, to eliminate these problems, doctors prescribe the universal antibacterial drug Polygynax.
Medicines are additionally prescribed to restore immune defenses. If the cause of the disease is a fungal infection, antibiotics of the tetracycline group (Doxycycline, Monomycin) and macrolides (Erythromycin) are used for treatment. When trichomonas is detected, the use of antiprotozoal agents is considered appropriate. Restoration of the vaginal microflora involves the use of drugs based on lactobacilli. Drugs for treatment and dosage are selected by the doctor, taking into account the state of he alth of the patient. Self-administration of medications is not recommended. The duration of the course of therapy depends on the neglect of the pathological process.
Cervical scraping
Usually to confirm an inflammatoryprocess in the cervical canal, a vaginal smear is taken from the patient, and then sent for histology. Sometimes the cause of the disease cannot be found. In such cases, a curettage procedure is used, during which the upper layer of the endometrium is removed with a special tool for subsequent examination. Over time, it recovers, so all manipulations are safe for the patient's he alth. As a rule, curettage of the cervical canal is prescribed if a malignant nature of the disease is suspected.
Ways to prevent inflammation
To prevent the development of pathology, you should be examined by a gynecologist twice a year. If any of these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. Examination on the gynecological chair and a number of tests can confirm the inflammation of the cervical canal. Treatment is prescribed after a diagnostic examination. Only on the basis of the patient's complaints, the doctor cannot confirm the diagnosis and prescribe medications. You can avoid this disease if you follow fairly simple rules:
- use condoms during sexual intercourse;
- do not neglect personal hygiene;
- get regular check-ups with a gynecologist;
- have one permanent sexual partner.
Following these guidelines will help you stay he althy.
