Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the cervical (cervical) canal of the uterus.
Causes of occurrence
The mucous membrane of the cervix can be exposed to such pathogenic flora as gonococci and chlamydia, as well as mycoplasmas, fungi, viruses and other infectious agents. Injuries of the cervix, received by women, for example, during childbirth, with diagnostic curettage, abortion contribute to the development of endocervicitis. It is impossible to say that this is the main factor, but it is of great importance in the occurrence of this pathology. There may also be a chemical effect on the mucous membrane, including through the introduction of certain drugs.
Endocervicitis, as a rule, is not a separate disease, but is accompanied by other gynecological pathologies of an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature. These can be diseases not only of the cervix, but also of the vagina, appendages.
Clinical picture and diagnostic methods
Sick women complain of purulent vaginal dischargecharacter. Less often, pulling pains over the bosom can join. Thus, it can be seen that there are no specific symptoms characteristic of endocervicitis. What does it mean? It is necessary to carefully differentiate from other diseases in order to select an adequate treatment.
What is the main method for diagnosing endocervicitis? That this is an examination of the cervix through the use of gynecological mirrors, which is carried out by a doctor, is beyond doubt. During it, puffiness and hyperemia of the mucosa, purulent discharge, and sometimes erosion are visualized. The same can be revealed during colposcopy.
Discharge from the cervical canal is subjected to bacteriological and bacterioscopic studies, due to which the pathogen is detected, the appropriate drug therapy is selected. In addition, a cytological examination of a smear taken from the cervical canal is carried out, which makes it possible to differentiate this pathology from precancerous and cancerous conditions.
With inadequate treatment, the disease can turn into chronic endocervicitis. The symptoms are the same, but this is inflammation not only of the mucous membrane, but also of deeper tissues, leading to the development of cervicitis. Complications of this pathology are erosions, cysts, deformation of the cervical canal.
Principles of treatment
What will be required if endocervicitis is detected? Treatment. Candles, pills, douching or baths - all this is selected and prescribed by a doctor. But treatment must be comprehensive. In the acute stageresort to antibiotic therapy, depending on which pathogen is identified, and taking into account its sensitivity to antibiotics. For fungal infections, antifungal drugs are used, for viral infections, antiviral drugs are used. Equally important is the intake of immunomodulating agents and vitamins.
Further, treatment is carried out aimed at restoring normal microflora. It boils down to the appointment of eubiotics and a diet that ensures the intake of a large amount of lacto- and bifidobacteria into the body.
It is necessary to know when using topical antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions through baths and irrigation for the treatment of endocervicitis, that this can only be done in a chronic process. Otherwise, it will only aggravate the situation and lead to the development of an ascending infection.
In a chronic course, the presence of concomitant pathology of the cervix, a change in its anatomical structure after the elimination of the infection, surgical treatment is indicated. This can be cryodestruction, laser therapy, cervical conization, radiosurgery and other methods.
In order to prevent endocervicitis, timely treatment of infectious diseases associated with the female genital area is recommended.
