Treatment of cervical dysplasia

As a result of the emergence of new methods and technologies, diagnostics and treatment of cervical dysplasia have become more effective. Specialists have managed to significantly reduce the number of adverse outcomes of the disease. Of course, success in treatment largely depends on the cause of the pathology, the age and condition of the woman, and the duration of dysplasia. However, the disease is treatable, and there are many ways to treat it. In this article, we will try to describe the most common therapeutic methods used in pathology.

Degrees of dysplasia and their treatment

The severity of the disease is considered one of the factors that determines the treatment regimen.

• Treatment of grade 1 cervical dysplasia (mild form of the disease) is sometimes not performed at all. The point is that the presented course of dysplasia in many cases regresses on its own. Such a disease is monitored: if self-healing does not occur, the doctor can prescribe conservative therapy, which includes exposure to the main infectious focus, restoration of immunity and anti-inflammatory treatment.
• Treatment of cervical dysplasia of the 2nd degree is prescribed depending on the obtained research results. The following methods are most often used:
  • immunostimulating therapy (mandatory in cases of extensive epithelial lesions or frequent relapses of the disease);
  • radio wave treatment;
  • laser therapy;
  • electrocoagulation;
  • cryodestruction.

Even with stage 2 damage, there is a chance that the affected area will heal on its own. Therefore, sometimes doctors use a wait-and-see approach.

• Treatment of grade 3 cervical dysplasia is prescribed only after excluding oncopathology. Diagnostic curettage is usually used, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, then most often they resort to a surgical solution to the problem.

Treatment of severe cervical dysplasia is performed exclusively in hospital settings, since the third stage of the disease requires a more complex therapeutic approach. The doctor may decide to perform surgery, but anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed before the operation. If signs of an inflammatory reaction are detected, surgery is not performed.

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Treatment methods for cervical dysplasia

Before choosing a treatment strategy for dysplasia, it is necessary to know all the information about the patient regarding the disease. First of all, age criteria, the degree of damage to the cervical tissues, the size of the lesion, chronic infections, the possibility and desire of the patient to give birth to children in the future are taken into account.

The following are considered the most well-known methods of therapy.

• Radio wave treatment of cervical dysplasia is the so-called loop conization. The procedure is performed using a modern radio wave device with an electric generator and loop electrodes. Before the treatment, the patient is prescribed a number of examinations (for example, colposcopy and bacterial culture of microflora). Local anesthesia is used during the procedure, and the session itself lasts no more than a quarter of an hour.

Radio wave treatment is usually prescribed for the first 7 days after the end of menstruation. Before therapy, you should stop having sex and make sure that you are not pregnant.

Radio waves have the ability to precisely affect the required area of the cervix. High-frequency current completely destroys the modified cells. The tissues heal within 15-20 days.

• Photodynamic therapy of cervical dysplasia involves intravenous or topical administration of special drugs – photosensitizers. Such drugs tend to accumulate in damaged cells without affecting healthy cellular structures.

Next, the vestibule of the cervix is exposed to laser irradiation. As a result, chemical reactions are triggered that destroy the altered cells. The affected tissue is replaced with full-fledged epithelium over time.

Photodynamic therapy is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require much time. Complete recovery occurs within 4 weeks.

• Cryodestruction of cervical dysplasia (the so-called cauterization or cold destruction) is performed using liquid nitrogen, which acts through strong cooling of tissues. The session is scheduled in the first phase of the menstrual cycle (approximately on the 7-10th day). The procedure does not leave behind altered tissue and can be used in patients who plan to become pregnant in the future.
• Laser treatment of cervical dysplasia (vaporization) is performed in a hospital setting, using local anesthesia. The laser is an invisible infrared beam that affects cells with a high water content. Such cells completely absorb the laser energy, which provokes tissue evaporation. The procedure lasts about 20 minutes, it can be somewhat painful, and a few days after it, minor bleeding is allowed.
• Conization of cervical dysplasia is a radical therapeutic method that is practiced at stages 2 and 3 of the disease. The essence of conization is the removal of the modified area of mucous tissue. Previously, this procedure was performed using a scalpel, but currently laser and radio wave exposure are used for this. The operation is performed in a hospital. Anesthesia is local. Sometimes after the procedure, a small scar remains at the site of dysplasia, which should not become an obstacle for subsequent pregnancies.
• Amputation of the cervix for dysplasia is an organ-preserving operation performed in a surgical operating room, using epidural or intravenous anesthesia. Amputation is the removal of part of the organ - this is a radical treatment that is prescribed for extensive damage to the epithelial tissue. As a result of the operation, the patient's cervix is shortened, which reduces the woman's ability to conceive and bear a child.
• Excision of the cervix for dysplasia (excision, or knife conization) is the removal of affected tissue using a scalpel. The procedure is performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, for mild to moderate degrees of the disease. The surgeon excises the damaged area without going beyond the healthy tissue. Healing occurs over the course of a month and may be accompanied by pain (similar to menstrual pain), as well as brown bloody discharge.

Drug treatment of cervical dysplasia

Treatment with chemical coagulation using such drugs as solcogin, vagotide, etc. is very common at present. The effect is especially noticeable when affecting small in size and depth lesions: mainly, we are talking about grade 1 dysplasia. In severe cases, drug treatment does not lead to a cure for the disease.

Conservative therapy involves the administration of various drugs of natural or inorganic etiology. These may be plant extracts, oils, saline solutions, ointments, antiseptics, etc.

In mild cases, the doctor may prescribe the following treatments for cervical dysplasia:

Antibiotics for cervical dysplasia are prescribed only in the presence of concomitant infectious diseases, since it is unacceptable to use surgical treatment methods in the presence of inflammation and sexually transmitted infections. Antibiotic therapy does not act directly on the altered tissues. As a rule, antibiotics can be prescribed for background chlamydia, ureaplasma, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomonas, as well as for colpitis, vaginitis, cervicitis. Most often, such infections are cured with drugs such as azithromycin, ceftriaxone, doxycycline, betadine, etc.

Treatment with the terminal using the drug Terzhinan is used to prevent inflammatory-purulent complications before and after surgical interventions on the cervix. Such treatment allows you to preserve the structure of healthy epithelial tissues and maintain the natural balance of the vaginal environment. Terzhinan eliminates signs of vaginitis, vaginosis, including fungal and mixed etiology. Use 1 tablet per day.

Genferon for cervical dysplasia helps to get rid of papillomaviruses, herpes virus, as well as many bacterial infections (chlamydia, trichomonas, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, gardnerella, etc.) and fungi. Usually, 1 suppository is prescribed twice a day, the duration of treatment is not less than 10 days.

Isoprinosine for cervical dysplasia acts as an immunostimulant and antiviral drug. As a rule, it is prescribed before and after surgical interventions on the cervix. Isoprinosine is most effective against the herpes virus. The drug is taken for 5-10 days, depending on the doctor's recommendations.

The naturopathic drug Malavit for cervical dysplasia can eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Malavit eliminates itching, foul odor, relieves pain and swelling of the mucous membrane, and also destroys pathogenic microorganisms. The product is available as a solution: use 10 ml / 200 ml of water for washing, douching and tampons in the vagina.

Vitamins are important for cervical dysplasia, because everyone knows that vitamin substances serve as catalysts for metabolic processes within tissues:

• vit. A helps to restore damaged mucous membranes, so it is often prescribed in the postoperative period;
• vit. B1 regulates the metabolism of sex hormones (estrogens), as well as electrolyte metabolism;
• vit. B2 provides tissues with oxygen and participates in the regeneration of mucous membranes;
• vit. B6 is a necessary link in the metabolism of proteins and amino acids;
• vit. B12 helps eliminate anemia. Together with folic acid, it participates in the production of nucleotides;
• ascorbic acid is considered the most important vitamin, which initiates oxidation-reduction processes in the body, enhances the function of estrogens, ensures the production of collagen and the formation of hemoglobin;
• vit. E – a well-known antioxidant that prevents functional disorders in the sexual sphere and prevents hemolysis;
• Folic acid is involved in the production of amino acids and nucleotides, ensures erythropoiesis, protects body tissues from damaging factors, and helps to establish estrogen metabolism.

Vaginal suppositories for the treatment of cervical dysplasia are used to eliminate unpleasant symptoms of the disease, normalize microflora, destroy bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms:

• Sea buckthorn suppositories are used 1 piece twice a day. Sea buckthorn effectively regenerates tissues, eliminates inflammation, heals minor damage to the skin and mucous membranes. The course of treatment is about 2 weeks;
• Betadine suppositories have an antimicrobial and antiseptic effect without causing addiction, and also eliminate vaginitis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis (in combination with other drugs). Betadine is used 1-2 suppositories per day for 1-2 weeks, depending on the disease;
• Livarol - vaginal suppositories with ketoconazole, a known antifungal substance. Eliminates fungal infection in the vagina, preparing the mucous membrane for the use of other treatment methods;
• Hexicon suppositories help cure cervicitis, vaginitis, and prevent the development of transmissible infections.

Douching for cervical dysplasia will not eliminate the problem completely, but will often help get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. However, we strongly recommend that douching not be done at the expense of the main treatment and only with the approval of a doctor. Usually, simple proven means are chosen for douching:

• eucalyptus leaf (2 tsp) pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for at least 2 hours. Filter and use for douching in the amount of 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of boiled water. 1 douching per day is enough. Duration of treatment is 20-30 days;
• celandine (1 tbsp. of dried flowers) pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, filter. Douche before going to bed for 2 weeks;
• burnet (1 tbsp.) pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 50 minutes. Filter and use once a day;
• green tea (2 tsp) pour a glass of boiling water, leave for at least 1 hour. Filter and use for douching twice a day, in the morning and at night;
• Douching with soda is usually used to treat vaginal candidiasis and to eliminate unpleasant symptoms of the disease (itching, discharge, burning sensation). This method is unlikely to help with dysplasia, but sometimes this method is appropriate (if your doctor approves of such treatment). To prepare the solution, you need to pour ½ teaspoon of baking soda into 250 ml of boiled water. The procedure is carried out at night, not during menstrual bleeding. During the treatment, you should refrain from sexual intercourse, drinking alcohol, and not visit a bathhouse or sauna.

Treatment of cervical dysplasia with folk methods

Traditional methods are recommended to be used only after visiting a medical specialist and conducting a thorough diagnosis. In no case should the main treatment be replaced by the use of traditional methods.

1. A common recipe for combating dysplasia is propolis ointment: it is used to speed up tissue healing and to destroy pathogenic bacteria. Every day before going to bed, the ointment is applied to a tampon and inserted into the vagina. The duration of treatment is 10 days.
2. Effective treatment of cervical dysplasia with sea buckthorn oil. Tampons with oil are used for 12 days, at night.
3. It is good to use fresh St. John's wort infusion for douching. For 2 tablespoons of raw material, take 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and filter.
4. The rhizome of bergenia is also suitable for washing, douching and internal use. To prepare the medicine, 3 tbsp. of chopped rhizome are brewed in a saucepan with a glass of boiling water. Put on low heat and boil until it is about twice as thick. Using the decoction for douching or washing involves diluting it in 300 ml of boiled water. For internal use, take 30 drops three times a day before meals, washing down with water.
5. Calendula tincture can be purchased at pharmacies and used to treat dysplasia and inflammatory diseases of the genital area. To prepare a solution, 4 teaspoons of 2% tincture are mixed in 200 ml of boiled warm water. Douching with this solution is carried out three times a week (for example, every other day).

Before using folk methods, do not forget to consult a doctor to avoid unpleasant consequences of the disease in the future. You should not start self-treatment, especially if the final diagnosis has not yet been established. This can cause irreparable harm to your health.

Pregnancy after treatment of cervical dysplasia

Most patients are aware that dysplasia treatment can cause infertility in women. This is not entirely true. In general, the reproductive functionality of the uterus and cervix is preserved. Before starting treatment, it is recommended to warn the doctor that the woman plans to become a mother in the future. In this case, the doctor will select the most suitable and gentle method of treating the disease.

You can start thinking about planning a pregnancy 4 months after the end of treatment. By this time, the cervical tissues should be completely restored.

Infertility may develop when surgical intervention was performed more than once, or with some violations, as well as with extensive lesions of the mucous membranes. The formation of scars or cicatrices at the site of pathology can also cause the inability to conceive a child.

All questions regarding pregnancy should be resolved with the attending physician before treatment for the disease is prescribed, and the pregnancy itself of a woman who has had dysplasia should proceed under the mandatory supervision of medical specialists. This will help to avoid negative consequences: cervical ruptures, spontaneous abortion, premature birth, etc.

Cervical dysplasia is not a death sentence, but a call to action, because the disease can and should be treated. Otherwise, not only the health of the reproductive system, but also the life of the woman are at risk.

Complications after treatment of cervical dysplasia

For several weeks after cauterization of the affected areas, there may be slight brown or mucous discharge from the vaginal cavity. Mild pain in the groin and pelvic area is also possible. In most cases, such symptoms disappear on their own, without special treatment. If the pain becomes more severe, taking an analgesic (for example, one tablet of Ibuprofen) is allowed. In no case should you take aspirin or other drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid - this can worsen bleeding.

For 1-2 months after cauterization procedures it is not recommended to:

• practice sexual intercourse;
• use tampons (soft pads only);
• douche;
• steam in a bathhouse, take a bath;
• lifting weights, playing sports or doing intense gymnastics.

It is recommended that after the healing period, you visit your doctor again to monitor the recovery process.

After surgical operations to remove dysplasia, some complications may arise, which the doctor should warn the patient about in advance:

• menstrual cycle disorder;
• scars and changes in the shape of the cervix;
• recurrence of the disease;
• relapses of chronic diseases of the reproductive system;
• inability to get pregnant.

The listed consequences occur infrequently: this happens after complex procedures, with extensive and deep affected areas, and also when the patient does not follow the recommendations related to the postoperative period.

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