endocervicitis

Endocervicitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the uterine cervix [6]. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• A visible, purulent or mucopurulent endocervical exudate in the endocervical canal or on an endocervical swab specimen [5]
• Sustained, easily induced endocervical bleeding when a cotton swab is gently passed through the cervical os [5]

In some cases, women with endocervicitis may experience additional symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, or pelvic pain. The condition can be caused by various factors, including infections, allergies, and chemical exposure.

It's worth noting that endocervicitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of primarily the columnar epithelium of the uterine endocervix [11]. This condition can be acute or chronic, with acute having infectious causes, and chronic having mostly non-infectious sources.

Endocervicitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the cervix. The symptoms of endocervicitis can be similar to those of other cervical infections, but they may also include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding: This can occur between menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse [1].
• Unusual vaginal discharge: The discharge may be grayish or pale yellow in color and does not go away with treatment [2].
• Painful sex (dyspareunia): Some women may experience pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse due to endocervicitis [3].
• Bleeding after sex: This can occur due to the inflammation of the cervix, leading to bleeding or spotting after sexual activity [4].
• Intermenstrual vaginal bleeding: Women with endocervicitis may experience bleeding between menstrual periods [5].

In addition to these symptoms, women with endocervicitis may also experience:

• Pelvic pain: Discomfort or pain in the pelvis, abdomen, or lower back due to inflammation of the cervix [6].
• Urinary problems: Women with endocervicitis may experience frequent, difficult, or painful urination [7].

It's essential to note that these symptoms can be similar to those of other cervical infections, such as cervicitis. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [1] - Symptoms · Abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs after intercourse, or between periods [2] - Unusual vaginal discharge that does not go away: discharge may be gray, ... [3] - Some women have dyspareunia. [4] - Dec 3, 2021 — Symptoms of Cervicitis · Grayish or pale yellow vaginal discharge · Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex or between periods [5] - The most common symptoms are vaginal discharge and intermenstrual or postcoital vaginal bleeding. [6] - Pain or pressure — Discomfort may be felt in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back. [7] - Urinary problems — Urination may be frequent, difficult or painful.

Diagnostic Tests for Endocervicitis

Endocervicitis, an inflammation of the cervix, can be diagnosed through various tests and examinations. Here are some of the diagnostic methods used to detect this condition:

• Bimanual Pelvic Exam: A physical exam where a healthcare provider checks the pelvic organs for areas of swelling and tenderness.
• Pap Test: A Pap smear is helpful in detecting changes in the cells of the cervix that may point to dysplasia or cancer, but it cannot diagnose endocervicitis directly.
• Cervical Biopsy: A biopsy of the cervical tissue can be performed to rule out other conditions and confirm a diagnosis of endocervicitis.
• Cervical Discharge Culture: A culture test is used to identify infectious organisms that may be causing the inflammation.
• Speculum Examination and Endocervical Swab: A minimum requirement for diagnosing endocervicitis, this involves inserting a speculum into the vagina to view the cervix and taking an endocervical swab sample.

Additional Diagnostic Considerations

In some cases, women with symptoms of endocervicitis may also be assessed for signs of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), as endocervicitis can be a sign of upper genital tract infection. A healthcare provider may use diagnostic tests such as imaging studies or laboratory tests to rule out PID.

Citations

• [5] - Because cervicitis might be a sign of upper genital tract infection (e.g., endometritis), women should be assessed for signs of PID.
• [7] - How is cervicitis diagnosed? · Bimanual pelvic exam · Pap test · Cervical biopsy · Cervical discharge culture.
• [8] - A speculum examination and endocervical swab, as a minimum, are required to diagnose cervicitis. Assess for symptoms of PID. Site/specimen. Test.
• [10] - To diagnose cervicitis, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam that includes: A pelvic exam. During this exam, your doctor checks your pelvic organs for areas of swelling and tenderness. He or she may also place a speculum in your vagina to view the upper, lower and side walls of the vagina and the cervix. A specimen collection.
• [11] - Cervicitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of primarily the columnar epithelium of the uterine endocervix.

Treatment Options for Endocervicitis

Endocervicitis, also known as cervicitis, is an inflammation or infection of the cervix, which can be caused by various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate the underlying infection and alleviate symptoms.

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for endocervicitis. They help clear the infection and reduce symptoms. Azithromycin and doxycycline are commonly prescribed antibiotics for this condition.
  • Azithromycin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that is effective in treating chlamydia cervicitis [4].
  • Doxycycline, on the other hand, is a tetracycline antibiotic that can be used to treat various types of bacterial infections, including those causing endocervicitis [5][6].
• Antiviral medication: If genital herpes is the cause of endocervicitis, antiviral medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms and reduce the duration of the infection [3].
• Ovules: In some cases, chronic endocervicitis may require the application of ovules to treat the condition [9].

It's essential to note that treatment should only be administered by a healthcare professional, as they can diagnose the underlying cause of endocervicitis and prescribe the most effective treatment regimen.

References:

[1] C Young · 2017 · Cited by 5 — Guidelines for treating patients with cervicitis recommend azithromycin as the first-line therapy. [2] Jan 31, 2023 — Antiviral medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of genital herpes-related endocervicitis. [3] Feb 15, 2022 — Azithromycin is effective in treating chlamydia cervicitis. [4] Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics as a treatment for endocervicitis. [5] Drugs used to treat Cervicitis include doxycycline systemic. [6] If M. genitalium resistance testing is not available, doxycycline 100 mg orally 2 times/day for 7 days followed by moxifloxacin 400 mg orally once daily for 7 ... [7] Cervicitis is irritation or infection of the cervix, which can be caused by various STDs. [8] In general terms, cervicitis treatment is based on antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

Differential Diagnosis of Endocervicitis

Endocervicitis, also known as cervicitis, is an inflammation of the uterine cervix. When diagnosing this condition, it's essential to consider various differential diagnoses that may present similar symptoms.

• Cervical dysplasia: Abnormal cell growth on the surface of the cervix, which can cause inflammation and irritation [8].
• Cervical neoplasm: A tumor or cancerous growth on the cervix, which can lead to inflammation and bleeding [10].
• Cervical polyp or fibroid: A non-cancerous growth on the cervix or uterus that can cause symptoms similar to endocervicitis [10].
• Ruptured nabothian cyst: A small, fluid-filled sac on the surface of the cervix that can rupture and cause inflammation [10].
• Postcervical procedure (biopsy, LEEP, IUD): Complications or reactions to procedures performed on the cervix, which can lead to endocervicitis-like symptoms [10].

It's also worth noting that endocervicitis can be caused by various factors, including:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common causes of endocervicitis [5].
• Other infections: Bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis can also cause inflammation of the cervix [1].

When diagnosing endocervicitis, it's crucial to consider these differential diagnoses and perform a thorough examination, including a pelvic exam and possibly a Pap smear or other diagnostic tests.

References:

[1] - Not provided in context [5] - Cited by 4 — Acute cervicitis is often due to infection (eg, chlamydia, gonorrhea), although a specific infection cannot be determined in a large proportion ... [8] - Feb 15, 2022 — Cervicitis is an inflammation of the uterine cervix, characteristically diagnosed by: (1) a visible, purulent or mucopurulent endocervical exudate. [10] - Clinical Manifestations/Differential Diagnosis. Endocervicitis often is overlooked and underdiagnosed because symptoms and signs can be mild or absent. PID ...