Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the canal inside the cervix. Most often, the disease is caused by the action of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. These microbes are also present in the norm, but they can lead to disease only under certain conditions. Moreover, they perform a useful function, protecting the body from the penetration of more dangerous bacteria. However, due to various reasons (violation of the local immune status, metabolic failures), these bacteria move from the status of defenders to the status of aggressors.
In addition, cervical endocervicitis is often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as mycoplasmas, trichomonas, chlamydia and others.
Hormonal changes, such as estrogen deficiency, can cause non-infectious or non-specific endocervicitis.
How does the disease develop? The cervix is one of the biological barriers, it is equipped with several defense mechanisms: the canal itself in the cervix is narrow, and inside there is a mucous plug with a large amount of immunoglobulins and enzymes. During childbirth, during abortions, and due to invasive diagnostic procedures, the protection drops, which makes it possible for infectiondevelop vigorous activity.
Patients who have developed acute endocervicitis of the cervix complain of mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina, sometimes accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdomen, as well as in the lumbar region.
A gynecologist during examination of the cervix with the help of mirrors will detect redness in the area of the external opening of the canal, the mucosa will be edematous, there may be a purulent discharge. The surface is most often eroded.
Chronic cervical endocervicitis will occur if the acute process was not detected or treated in time. The pathological process passes to nearby tissues. On the cervix from the side of the vagina, pseudo-erosion is formed, and secondary infection is also possible. This is followed by infiltrative, hyperplastic and dystrophic changes, the neck becomes dense and hypertrophied, with many cysts.
If cervical endocervicitis is caused by gonococci, then in this case we are talking about a specific gonorrheal process. It develops in the mucous membrane of the cervical canal, affects the glands, then the infection penetrates deeper into the submucosal layer, where dense infiltrates form. There is a tendency to abscess formation, that is, the appearance of limited foci of inflammation.
A distinctive feature of gonorrheal endocervicitis is a pronounced inflammation reaction: severe redness of the mucous membrane, swelling and abundant mucous and mucopurulent discharge.
Disgustingthe combination is endocervicitis and pregnancy. The fact is that the disease itself can make it difficult to conceive. Conversely, endocervicitis of the cervix during a pregnancy that has already occurred can lead the uterus to an increased tone for a short time and cause an early outflow of amniotic fluid. In any case, treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis.
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cause (destruction of the pathogen), eliminate inflammation and normalize the microflora.
