Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Causes Inflammation of the Cervix?

Anna T.
Anna T.

Inflammation of the cervix is often the result of either sexually transmitted diseases, allergic reactions, or bacteria inside the vagina. Doctors typically have to run a few different tests in order to find out what is causing the inflammation. If a sexually transmitted disease is the cause, the inflammation will likely persist until the disease is treated. Bacteria inside the vagina is often treated with vaginal suppositories containing antibiotics to kill the infection. In the event that inflammation of the cervix is caused by an allergic reaction, a woman will typically have to think about what products she has been using that may have caused the reaction and then cease using the suspected products to see if the inflammation clears up.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of inflammation of the cervix. Almost any sexually transmitted disease can cause the cervix to become inflamed, but some of the most common diseases that cause it include gonorrhea, genital herpes, and chlamydia. There is no cure for genital herpes, but the disease can be effectively managed so that it rarely causes problems. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can each be cured with antibiotics. A woman who has cervical inflammation as a result of an STD will likely need to abstain from unprotected sexual activity.

A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the cervix.
A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the cervix.

Allergic reactions are a less serious reason for inflammation of the cervix. Many women experience this after they have used spermicide, diaphragms, and other items that are designed to be inserted into the vagina. If any of these items are made with or contain a substance that a woman is allergic to, she may experience a reaction. Figuring out which item caused the reaction could potentially be tricky. Some women may have to go through a trial and error process and eliminate certain things they use regularly one at a time until they can pinpoint which item is causing the problems.

Bacterial vaginosis may cause inflammation of the cervix.
Bacterial vaginosis may cause inflammation of the cervix.

Bacteria inside the vagina, also commonly known as bacterial vaginosis, is another problem that may cause inflammation of the cervix. Women who have bacterial vaginosis might experience problems including itching and foul-smelling discharge. Initially, the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis tend to mimic yeast infection symptoms. Many women do not see their doctors with bacterial vaginosis until their attempts at treating it with over-the-counter yeast infection cream have failed. Cervical inflammation with bacterial vaginosis usually goes away once the infection has cleared up, and this usually happens with the use of doctor-prescribed antibiotics.

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

@croydon - Honestly, this is why I think that teenagers need to have sex education in schools. If you give them a real reason why they should wait, they are more likely to actually wait.

If, however, you just tell them it's bad and not to talk about it, they won't know how to protect themselves or even how to talk about their bodies.

I've heard of teenage girls who had fairly severe cervical infections and didn't want to ask for help because they thought they had done something wrong. This kind of fear and intolerance can lead to people getting in worse trouble than they would if they were taught in an open and unbiased way.

croydon

Something I read recently is that girls are more likely to end up with abnormal pap smears if they have vaginal intercourse before the age of 16.

Apparently before then the average girl is simply too small and the cervix is too vulnerable. So they are more likely to injure it or even cause a cervix infection, which can lead to problems later on.

I'm sympathetic to the idea that teenagers will always want to explore, but I do think that this is solid, scientific evidence for why they should hold off on exploring too far until after a certain age.

bythewell

There is something that I think is a massive problem happening right now that isn't being talked about enough. Several of the sexually transmitted diseases mentioned here are ones which we think of at the moment as embarrassing, but nothing more. They were once deadly, but now we can cure them easily with antibiotics.

Except that gonorrhea, in particular, is becoming resistant to anti-bacterial treatment.

This might not affect us so much, because it's happening gradually, but it will probably affect the next generation. And they aren't going to thank us for having to face an infection that should only be associated with the past.

So, if you get it, take your full course of antibiotics. And basically, try not to get it at all (which is what you should be doing anyway).

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the cervix.
      By: isyste
      A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the cervix.
    • Bacterial vaginosis may cause inflammation of the cervix.
      By: javiindy
      Bacterial vaginosis may cause inflammation of the cervix.
    • Some women are allergic to items that are designed to be inserted into the vagina, which can cause the cervix to become inflamed.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Some women are allergic to items that are designed to be inserted into the vagina, which can cause the cervix to become inflamed.
    • Liquid antibiotics may be prescribed to treat inflammation of the cervix.
      By: ognianmed
      Liquid antibiotics may be prescribed to treat inflammation of the cervix.
    • People with new or multiple sexual partners are more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis, which may cause inflammation of the cervix.
      By: Peter Atkins
      People with new or multiple sexual partners are more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis, which may cause inflammation of the cervix.
    • A woman who has cervical inflammation as a result of an STD will likely need to abstain from unprotected sexual activity.
      By: mast3r
      A woman who has cervical inflammation as a result of an STD will likely need to abstain from unprotected sexual activity.
    • Sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of inflammation of the cervix.
      By: jovannig
      Sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of inflammation of the cervix.