Symptoms of cervical erosion

Symptoms of cervical erosion are absent in most cases. Most often, a woman learns about the presence of such a disease from a gynecologist during a gynecological examination.

However, sometimes there are still some signs of erosion, manifested in the form of pain during sexual intercourse and the appearance of bloody discharge after it. With the development of this disease, there may also be mucopurulent discharge, which occurs as a result of the inflammatory process provoked by this pathology. In any case, this disease should be treated immediately, since in an advanced stage it contributes to the development of complications and even precancerous conditions.

Cervical erosion is a very common female disease, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process and the appearance of so-called "erosions" (small ulcers) on the cervix. The causes of this disease are very different. These include too early onset of sexual life, and frequent change of partners; various sexually transmitted infections, as well as inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs; traumatic effects (childbirth, abortion, surgical interventions); immune failures and hormonal disorders, etc.

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What are the symptoms of cervical erosion?

Symptoms of cervical erosion may manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the course and types of this pathological process. In medicine, three main forms of this disease are distinguished. Thus, there are:

• congenital,
• true,
• pseudo-erosion.

The first type is manifested due to the displacement of the boundaries between the flat multilayered and cylindrical epithelium. The reason for this physiological feature is the incomplete process of differentiation (structural and functional changes) of epithelial tissues during intrauterine and early postnatal development. With this form of the disease, symptoms of the inflammatory process are practically absent.

True erosion of the cervix is manifested by the presence of a wound surface, most often bright red and bleeding when touched. The main cause of mucopurulent discharge in this form of the disease is an inflammatory process, the so-called "cervicitis".

Pseudo-erosion develops as a result of modifications of true erosion. This form is a stage of gradual wound healing due to the replacement of flat epithelium of the cervix with cylindrical epithelium. This process is fraught with consequences in the form of hypertrophy of the cervix and the occurrence of large cysts. In addition, pseudo-erosion becomes a source of chronic inflammation.

Despite the fact that the development of erosion very often occurs asymptomatically, the presence of some signs of them is still present. Usually these are:

• purulent, mucous or bloody discharge;
• unpleasant painful sensations during sexual intercourse;
• menstrual cycle disorders and interruptions.

Unfortunately, cervical erosion may not manifest itself for a long time, but at the same time cause the development of chronic inflammation of the female genital organs, as well as more dangerous conditions, in particular, malignant neoplasms. That is why, for the timely detection and treatment of this serious disease, it is necessary to systematically visit a gynecologist, since only as a result of a full gynecological examination can an accurate diagnosis be made and the presence of such a dangerous pathology can be confirmed.

Discharge with cervical erosion

Symptoms of cervical erosion concern changes in the color and consistency of vaginal discharge. It should be noted that normally, a healthy woman should not have any discharge at all. Therefore, such a symptom indicates various pathologies and possible infection of the female genital organs.

Discharge during cervical erosion is also called "leucorrhoea" and is a thick white liquid without a strong odor, which often leaves marks on underwear. Such discharge usually indicates the presence of inflammation or a hidden infection, which often accompany this disease. With the development of cervical erosion (in its advanced form), discharge can also be bloody - most often this symptom appears after sexual contact. This is due to the fact that the eroded surface loses the protective layer of cells, so it is easily damaged. In this case, discharge is observed in small quantities, they can leave a brown or pinkish mark on underwear. In the presence of erosion in pregnant women, blood can be released in large quantities due to a decrease in its coagulability and an increase in the vulnerability of the mucous membranes.

Discharge is one of the main signs of the development of cervical erosion in women. Less common symptoms include slight pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

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Symptoms of advanced cervical erosion

Symptoms of cervical erosion often do not appear immediately, but only when the disease is in an advanced stage. It is almost impossible to guess about the development of erosion, the course of the disease is most often asymptomatic. Only a thorough gynecological examination using special gynecological mirrors and a colposcope (a special microscope) can detect this disease.

Symptoms of advanced cervical erosion often manifest as copious leucorrhoea - thick mucous discharge, and in some cases - bloody discharge. A woman may also be bothered by pain in the lower abdomen. What is dangerous about advanced cervical erosion? First of all, if left untreated, it can develop into leukoplakia - a compaction in the form of a white spot, or erythroplakia - a red bleeding spot. This provokes the proliferation of various bacteria, the introduction of infection, and the occurrence of a focus of inflammation. The pathology makes the uterus unprotected from external infections, since it is the cervix that is a kind of "protective barrier". The risk of inflammation and infection with advanced erosion increases several times.

If the inflammation that occurs as a result of an advanced stage is not treated, the rate of division of epithelial cells increases, which leads to dysplasia - a change in the properties of the epithelium. The most serious complication of this process is the development of dysplasia into a malignant tumor (cancer). To prevent such an outcome, the pathology must be treated as early as possible.

A consequence of an advanced disease is often female infertility. Erosion can also cause miscarriage or premature birth, as it contributes to the premature opening of the uterus during pregnancy.

Thus, in order to avoid serious complications in the presence of erosion in women, the need for regular visits to a gynecologist increases for timely detection and treatment of the pathology.

Symptoms of inflammation in cervical erosion

Symptoms of cervical erosion occur infrequently, i.e. usually this disease does not cause any pronounced signs, however, if the disease is present, cervicitis (endocervicitis) is most often observed - an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which can be detected through a gynecological examination.

Symptoms of inflammation in cervical erosion are reduced to the appearance of discharge (leucorrhoea), as well as itching and pain in the lower abdomen. Due to inflammation, swelling occurs, which provokes hypersecretion of discharge and causes hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the cervix. Cervicitis is a pathological process that depends on the state of the female body's immune system and the degree of neglect of the disease. Usually, the presence of inflammation is indicated by thickening and compaction of the cervix.

Sometimes, when the cervix is inflamed due to erosion, a woman experiences frequent and painful urges to urinate. The discharge is usually white and thick, but it can also be of a different consistency and color, especially if the wound surface becomes infected due to erosion.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that most infections in the presence of cervical erosion are transmitted sexually. The main prevention of inflammatory diseases of the cervix is the use of condoms. The presence of several sexual partners in a woman has a negative impact on health and increases the risk of inflammatory diseases, since the load on the woman's immune system increases. With prolonged inflammation of the cervix, the properties of the cells change, and the rate of their division increases, which causes the formation of a tumor - initially benign, and then malignant.

If gynecological inflammatory processes are detected, you should not self-medicate; it is very important to entrust this issue to an experienced gynecologist. Neither the use of gynecological suppositories nor the use of tampons with sea buckthorn oil or honey will give an effective result.

As for treatment, most often, cervical erosion is treated not with medication, but with surgery. The most convenient method today is considered to be a surgical laser, which allows the defect to be completely eliminated without damaging the tissue or leaving any scars.

Symptoms of cervical erosion should immediately alert a woman - this is the reason for an urgent visit to a gynecologist, since it is he who will be able to accurately diagnose the disease during examination. The presence of an inflammatory process in the cervix leads to a violation of the integrity of the epithelium, which provokes the development of dysplasia. And this, in turn, leads to infertility, adnexitis, endometritis and the occurrence of malignant tumors.