Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Cervicitis is inflammation of thecervix, the donut-shaped opening that connects the vagina to the uterus. It doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, they may include bleeding, pain during sex, and vaginal discharge.
Cervicitis most often results from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, although there are a handful of non-infectious causes as well.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The condition can be diagnosed with a pelvic exam and lab tests to identify the underlying cause. If an infection is involved, medication may be prescribed. In some cases, cervicitis resolves without treatment.
What You Should Know About STDs
Cervicitis Symptoms
Cervicitis does not always cause symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they may include:
Some causes of cervicitis—such as herpes simplex virus (HSV)—rarely cause symptoms. Inflammation of the cervix may only be spotted during a routine pelvic exam.
Complications
In some cases, the infection causing cervicitis can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, causing a painful condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
PID can lead to a potentially fatal infection called peritonitis, as well as infertility.
Less common causes include trichomoniasis,Mycoplasma genitalium,and genital herpes.
There are many non-infectious causes of cervicitis as well, including:
Cervicitis doesn’t always have a known cause. In a 2013study, around 60% of cases were of unknown origin.
Given the majority of cervicitis cases involve either chlamydia or gonorrhea, those of unknown origin usually are approached as an STI and treated with antibiotic drugs.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for cervicitis are similar to those for STIs and include multiple sex partners, sex without condoms, and younger age.
Having engaged in sex at an early age or having a history of a sexually transmitted infection also increases the risk.
The first step in diagnosing cervicitis is to establish whether the cause is infectious or non-infectious.
Chronic cervicitis, inflammation that arises slowly and persists, is more likely due to a non-infectious cause.
If you’re being evaluated for cervicitis, your healthcare provider will begin with a review of your symptoms and medical history. This may include questions about your sexual practices, including the number of partners you’ve had and whether or not you practice safer sex.
Pelvic Exam and Lab Tests
Next, the healthcare provider will do a manual exam of your vagina to check for tenderness involving the cervix, uterus, or ovaries.
A sample of discharge from your vagina or cervix may also be taken using a cotton swab or brush. You may be asked to submit a urine sample as well. These samples will then be sent to a lab for evaluation.
Most lab test results are returned within two to three days and will detail what, if any, infections you have. Cultures for HSV can take up to two weeks.
Cervicitis treatment depends on what caused your case. If an infection, there are standard approaches:
Depending on the microorganism involved, the infection should clear within several days. Symptoms might take longer to improve because the vaginal microbiome must rebuild. The vaginal microbiome is the community of microbes that normally live in the vagina.
Any underlying disease or condition that promotes cervical inflammation will also need to be controlled.
It is important to treat cervicitis promptly. Untreated infections may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a painful and often debilitating condition that can cause scarring, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Cervicitis is generally a one-off thing if appropriately treated. During treatment, you should avoid sexual intercourse until symptoms resolve in order to prevent transmission.
Try to avoid products that may cause additional vaginal irritation. For example, use menstrual pads instead of tampons. It’s also always best to avoid vaginal douching altogether.
A Word From Verywell
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends sexually active women 24 years and younger and those 25 years and older who are at an increased risk of infection be screened once a year for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ortiz de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F.Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2019;37(10):661-7. doi:10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Fowotade A, Okolo AC Manga MM.Apparent rarity of asymptomatic herpes cervicitis in a woman with intra-uterine contraceptive device.J Public Health Africa. 2013;4(2):e14. doi:10.4081/jphia.2013.e14Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervicitis.Taylor SN.Cervicitis of unknown etiology.Curr Infect Dis Rep.2014;16(7):409. doi:10.1007/s11908-014-0409-xMarrazzo JM, Wiesenfeld HC, Murray PM, et al.Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis.J Infect Dis.2006;193(5):617-24. doi:10.1086/500149Iqbal U, Wills C.Cervicitis. StatPearls [Internet].Mattson SK, Polk JP, Nyirjesy P.Chronic cervicitis: Presenting features and response to therapy.J Low Genit Tract Dis.2016;20(3):e30-3. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000225Jaiyeoba O, Soper DE.Cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Beigi RH, ed.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:14-25. doi:10.1002/9781118314937.ch3U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement: Chlamydia and gonorrhea: screening.Additional ReadingTaylor SN, Lensing S, Schwebke J, et al.Prevalence and treatment outcome of cervicitis of unknown etiology.Sex Transm Dis. 2013;40(5):379-85. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31828bfcb1
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ortiz de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F.Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2019;37(10):661-7. doi:10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Fowotade A, Okolo AC Manga MM.Apparent rarity of asymptomatic herpes cervicitis in a woman with intra-uterine contraceptive device.J Public Health Africa. 2013;4(2):e14. doi:10.4081/jphia.2013.e14Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervicitis.Taylor SN.Cervicitis of unknown etiology.Curr Infect Dis Rep.2014;16(7):409. doi:10.1007/s11908-014-0409-xMarrazzo JM, Wiesenfeld HC, Murray PM, et al.Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis.J Infect Dis.2006;193(5):617-24. doi:10.1086/500149Iqbal U, Wills C.Cervicitis. StatPearls [Internet].Mattson SK, Polk JP, Nyirjesy P.Chronic cervicitis: Presenting features and response to therapy.J Low Genit Tract Dis.2016;20(3):e30-3. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000225Jaiyeoba O, Soper DE.Cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Beigi RH, ed.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:14-25. doi:10.1002/9781118314937.ch3U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement: Chlamydia and gonorrhea: screening.Additional ReadingTaylor SN, Lensing S, Schwebke J, et al.Prevalence and treatment outcome of cervicitis of unknown etiology.Sex Transm Dis. 2013;40(5):379-85. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31828bfcb1
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ortiz de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F.Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2019;37(10):661-7. doi:10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Fowotade A, Okolo AC Manga MM.Apparent rarity of asymptomatic herpes cervicitis in a woman with intra-uterine contraceptive device.J Public Health Africa. 2013;4(2):e14. doi:10.4081/jphia.2013.e14Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervicitis.Taylor SN.Cervicitis of unknown etiology.Curr Infect Dis Rep.2014;16(7):409. doi:10.1007/s11908-014-0409-xMarrazzo JM, Wiesenfeld HC, Murray PM, et al.Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis.J Infect Dis.2006;193(5):617-24. doi:10.1086/500149Iqbal U, Wills C.Cervicitis. StatPearls [Internet].Mattson SK, Polk JP, Nyirjesy P.Chronic cervicitis: Presenting features and response to therapy.J Low Genit Tract Dis.2016;20(3):e30-3. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000225Jaiyeoba O, Soper DE.Cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Beigi RH, ed.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:14-25. doi:10.1002/9781118314937.ch3U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement: Chlamydia and gonorrhea: screening.
Ortiz de la Tabla V, Gutiérrez F.Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2019;37(10):661-7. doi:10.1016/j.eimc.2018.12.004
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
Fowotade A, Okolo AC Manga MM.Apparent rarity of asymptomatic herpes cervicitis in a woman with intra-uterine contraceptive device.J Public Health Africa. 2013;4(2):e14. doi:10.4081/jphia.2013.e14
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervicitis.
Taylor SN.Cervicitis of unknown etiology.Curr Infect Dis Rep.2014;16(7):409. doi:10.1007/s11908-014-0409-x
Marrazzo JM, Wiesenfeld HC, Murray PM, et al.Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis.J Infect Dis.2006;193(5):617-24. doi:10.1086/500149
Iqbal U, Wills C.Cervicitis. StatPearls [Internet].
Mattson SK, Polk JP, Nyirjesy P.Chronic cervicitis: Presenting features and response to therapy.J Low Genit Tract Dis.2016;20(3):e30-3. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000225
Jaiyeoba O, Soper DE.Cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Beigi RH, ed.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:14-25. doi:10.1002/9781118314937.ch3
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Final recommendation statement: Chlamydia and gonorrhea: screening.
Taylor SN, Lensing S, Schwebke J, et al.Prevalence and treatment outcome of cervicitis of unknown etiology.Sex Transm Dis. 2013;40(5):379-85. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31828bfcb1
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
