Cervicitis

• Cervicitis Overview
• Cervicitis Causes
• Cervicitis Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Cervicitis Treatment
• Surgery
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Cervicitis Overview

Cervicitis, a common infection of the lower genital tract, is the inflammation of the cervix (this is the neck and outlet of a woman's uterus).

Inflammation may be caused by infection from certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or by injury to the cervix from a foreign object inserted in the vagina, from birth control devices such as the cervical cap or a diaphragm, or by cancer.

Many cases of cervicitis go untreated because women who have the infection do not know they do. Often there are no obvious symptoms.

• If untreated, cervicitis may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, spontaneous abortion, cervical cancer, or other complications during the delivery of a baby.

• Cervicitis is a very common condition. In fact, more than half of all women may develop cervicitis at some point in their adult lives. Risk factors for the development of cervicitis include starting intercourse at an early age, high-risk sexual behaviors, a history of sexually transmitted diseases, and having multiple sex partners.