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DESCRIPTION
Cervicitis is the inflammation or infection of the cervix. There are two types and either may be contagious: Acute cervicitis which is usually a bacterial or viral infection with specific symptoms and chronic cervicitis which is a long-term infection that may not have symptoms.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Acute Cervicitis:
- Cervix red in color and appearing irritated from infection.
- Thick, yellow vaginal discharge is common. Discharge may also be white or grey in color and may have an odor.
Chronic Cervicitis:
- Slight sometimes unnoticeable vaginal discharge.
- Backache.
- Discomfort with urination.
- Discomfort with sexual intercourse.
Extensive Chronic Cervicitis:
- Profuse vaginal discharge.
- Bleeding between menstrual periods.
- Spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
CAUSES
Acute cervicitis is usually caused by the organisms Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis. Herpes virus can also be a cause.
Chronic cervicitis is caused by repeated episodes of acute cervicitis, or one episode that is not treated long enough to heal completely.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Multiple sexual partners.
Diabetes mellitus.
Acute or recurrent vaginitis.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Have an annual pelvic examination and Pap smear.
Wear cotton underpants or pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid underpants made from non-ventilating materials. Synthetic materials hold in vaginal wetness and warmth, which may trigger vaginal or cervical infections.
Avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases by having your sexual partner wear a condom for intercourse. Use safer sex practices.
If cervicitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, your sexual partner also needs treatment.
Avoid multiple sexual partners.
Avoid use of cigarettes, recreational drugs and other substances that compromise the immune function.
Avoid use of oral contraceptive pills, antibiotics.
Avoid use of perfumes, spermicides, lubricants, tampons, or any other substance introduced to vagina that could cause irritation.
Pay attention to genital hygiene.
Keep the foundation of wellness in place, which includes:
- Schedule in and maintain time for self reflection.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Eat whole foods and follow a healthful diet.
- Minimize stress.
- Exercise regularly.
Emotional and psychological considerations: The physical effect of emotional issues merit investigation in cases of cervicitis, if a woman wishes to explore that area, a history of incest and/or sexual may be present.
MoonDragon's Obgyn Information: Cervical Dysplasia
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Mild cervicitis will heal without treatment.
Acute cervicitis caused by venereal disease is contagious through sexual intercourse and is curable with medication.
Most other cases of cervicitis can be cured with treatment. All women with cervicitis need regular checkups until the condition heals.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Cervical polyps.
Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Malignant change in cervix cells (rare).
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
The cervix is an extension of the lower end of the uterus into the vagina. Cervicitis is a deeper and more serious pathology than simple vaginitis. Inflammation of the cervix may be infectious or non-infectious. Differential diagnosis and determination of the cause, through appropriate physical and laboratory analysis, is necessary to determine appropriate treatment. Cervical examination, pap smear and culture and serological tests to determine infectious agent may all be necessary. Causes of the symptoms may vary widely in their seriousness.
Diagnostic tests may include a culture of the vaginal discharge and laboratory blood studies.
Use sanitary pads instead of tampons during treatment. Do not use cervical barrier contraceptives such as a cervical cap or diaphragm until infection has cleared up.
Don't douche unless it is recommended.
Treatment may involve destruction of abnormal cells with silver nitrate (chemical used for cautery); cryosurgery (destruction of abnormal tissue by applying freezing temperatures, usually with liquid nitrogen); or electrocautery (destruction of tissue by heat applied with a controlled electric current).
Surgery (hysterectomy) for widespread tissue destruction (rare).
MEDICATION
Oral antibiotics if infectious cervicitis suspected.
Antiviral or antibiotic vaginal creams or suppositories to fight infection may be prescribed.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions, except to avoid sexual relations until determination that the infection has healed.
DIET
No special diet.
However, dietary and nutritional therapies seek to balance the hormonal system and support the immune system. Diets for healthy female immune and reproductive systems as well as healing and the prevention of cervical inflammation and dysplasia should be predominately vegetarian and low in fat, emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes (beans and lentils). Alcohol, caffeine, fried foods, and sugar should be avoided, as should foods that may contain artificial hormones and estrogen, such as dairy and meat products that are not organically produced. Women should eat plenty of yellow and leafy green vegetables. Tomatoes contain a substance called lycopene that may protect against dysplasia. Soy products should also be frequently added to the diet for their estrogen balancing effects.
Nutritional support includes the supplementation of B-complex vitamins, particularly folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Vitamins A, C, and E are recommended, as are the minerals selenium and zinc. Grape seed extract and pine bark extract are recommended antioxidants to assist healing, and nutritional yeast and spirulina are natural supplements for B vitamins and minerals.
Exercise is recommended to stimulate the immune system and reduce stress. Yoga has exercises specifically designed to stimulate circulation in the lower abdomen and reproductive organs. Plenty of fresh air during the day is also beneficial for those trying to improve their health and energy.
Stress and emotional problems may also play a significant role in cervical dysplasia and in problems with the reproductive system in general. Mind/body techniques such as psychotherapy, meditation, progressive relaxation, breath work, and visualization may help reduce stress, remove emotional blockages, and stimulate healing. Detoxification therapies may also be recommended, including fasting, sweating, and other techniques, particularly for women who may have accumulated toxins in the body from smoking, drug abuse, or poor dietary and lifestyle habits.
Recommended herbs include:
Vitex berries (also called chasteberries, or chasteberry tree) and black cohosh to balance hormones and stimulate healing in the reproductive system. Herbs to stimulate and support the immune system include echinacea, goldenseal, burdock, milk thistle, shiitake mushrooms, yarrow, ginger, and astragalus. Herbs that may balance hormones include red clover, kudzu root, licorice root, and Siberian ginseng. Aromatherapy baths may also help, utilizing the essential oils of geranium, rose, lavender, bitter orange, rosemary, or tea tree oil. Herbal douches and herbal vaginal suppositories are available that utilize herbs and essential oils to stimulate internal healing.
Note: Cervicitis and cervical dysplasia can be very similar and one can often lead to the other. Both can be caused by infections of the cervix by various organisms.
Cervicitis Remedies Index - The following treatments may be useful for primary treatments or supportive for conventional therapy.
Paint the cervix with Vitamin E. Do this 2 - 3 times a week for one entire menstrual cycle.
Douche with comfrey leaf or root tea twice a day for 10 days.
Apply a solution of: 4 oz. goldenseal root, echinacea root, geranium root. Add to 3 quarts of distilled water. Let solution stand for 6 hours then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain then simmer down to 1 ½ pints. When cool, add 8 oz. glycerin. Shake and apply as needed.
Acute cervicitis: 5 percent ointment/cream of propolis applied in the form of vaginal dressings daily for ten days. Propolis has anti-bacterial activity and can be applied to the cervix as a cream or ointment for cervicitis.
Dr. Christopher's Formula, to be taken internally, for conditions of leukorrhea, prolapsus uteri, relaxed vagina, and inflammation of the cervix. 1/2 ounce Nymphaea odorata (White pond lily)
1/2 ounce Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
1/2 ounce Ulmus rubra, U fulva (Slippery elm)
1/2 ounce Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
1/2 ounce Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam)
1 ounce Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
1/4 tsp. Capsicum frutescens, C. minimum (Cayenne)
Simmer all except cayenne for 20 minutes in one quart of water. Strain over the cayenne while hot, cover and allow to cool, sweeten to taste, store in cool place.
Dosage: 2 ounces 3-4 times/day
Hudson's Cervicitis Formula - For chronic cervicitis.
Dosage: 1/2 tsp. of the tincture. two times per /day for 3-6 months2 drams Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
1 dram Usnea spp (Usnea)
2 drams Echinacea spp (Purple Coneflower)
1 dram Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal)
2 drams Ligusticum porterii (Osha)
White Pond Lily (Nymphaea odorata) - Synonyms: Nymphaea alba, Nuphar alba, Water-lily, white pond lily, sweet pond lily, water nymph. Asian species: Nymphaea lotus (N. rubra, N. stellata); Nelumbo nucifera (Nymphaea nelumbo, Nelumbium speciosum); Nuphar japonicum, Nuphar pumilum.
White Pond Lily acts as an antiseptic, astringent to mucus membranes, removes toxins from the tissue, not overly drying, styptic, demulcent, vulnerary - healing to skin wounds and ulcerative conditions, tonifying - improving tone and function, anodyne, anti-inflammatory - internally and externally. The rhizome (root), seed and flower are used. It is mucilaginous and slightly pungent-bitter in taste. It acts as an anti-microbial and astringent. Part used: rhizome (gather in the fall), seed, flower for EO
It can be used externally as a douche or poultice or internally as a gargle. Doses: Decoction - 1-2 tbsp. or more Fluid extract - 1/2-1 fluid tsp. (30-60 drops) Infusion - 2-4 tbsp. 3-4 times/day Between meals powder - 2 grams (1/2 tsp.) Tincture - 1/2-1 fluid tsp. (30-60 drops)
A larger dose of the decoction is also recommended - 2-8 cups/day - plus douche.
The preparation of the root is to slice it, place in cold water, heat gently for 5 minutes (in order to preserve the mucilage properties, do not bring to a boil ). The decoction or infusion can be used as a vaginal douche. Venereal ulcers, if present, can be treated with powdered root dusted on the surface.
Homeopathic Tissue Salts:
- Calcaria fluorica - connective tissue strengthener.
- Kali muriaticum - anti-inflammatory, especially when tissue is excessively secreting.
- Kali sulphuricum - anti-inflammatory, especially when tissue is secreting yellow exudate.
Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements:
- Vitamin A - 25,000-50,000 IU/day or beta carotene 150,000-300,000 IU/day (do not exceed 10,000 IU of vitamin A if you are pregnant).
- Vitamin C - 3 to 5 grams per day (3,000 to 5,000 mg daily).
- Folic acid - 5 to 10 mg per day (this is very high dosage) (Normal dose is 400mcg daily).
- Vitamin E - 400 IU per day.
- Zinc - 15 mg per day, may want 1 mg copper with this.
- Essential fatty acids — 1 tablespoon flax oil/day and/or fish oil 600-1200 mg/day EPA/DHA combined.
- Probiotics — a good quality Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus product, 5 billion organisms.
Douches - Many herbs and substances can be used in a douche to assist in the healing of the cervix. A homemade tampon can be made from using rolled gauze pads soaked in herbal solution and inserted into the vagina next to the cervix. These can be used as a single herb or combined. If you are going to combine herbs, choose 2 or 3 of the most appropriate herbs for your specific infection and use these (do research) or stay with a few common general healing herbs such as a calendula-comfrey-goldenseal combination. Some of these may be taken internally as a tea or tincture. Again, do your research and decide which herbs would be better for your specific situation. Consult with a herbalist or naturopathic physician if you have questions. Here are a few herbal choices:
- Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
- Plantago major/lanceolata (Plantain)
- Nymphaea odorata (White pond lily) See Above.
- Rumex crispus (Yellow dock).
- Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape)
- Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold)
- Lavendula officinalis (Lavender)
- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
- Mahonia aquifolium (Mountain Grape)
- Usnea spp. (Usnea)
- Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry)
- Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)
- Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh)
- Geranium maculatum (Cranesbill)
- Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Chinese Herbal Recommendations:
- Isatis (Ban Len Gen and Da Qing Ye)
- Pheilodendron (Huang Bai)
- Sage (Dan Shen)
- Artemesia (Qing Hao)
- Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao)
- Cnidium fruit (Shi Chuang Zi)
- Agrimony (Xian He Cao)
Pelvic rest throughout the treatment period or longer, depending on the case.
Dietary alterations to acidify the vaginal environment. Vinegar or lemon juice douches can be used as a temporary method of acidifying the vagina.
Fasting or modified fasting, including a detoxification diet. Identification and elimination of food intolerances (serum testing or elimination/rechallenge diet.)
Inverted yoga postures: bridge, shoulder stand, plow, half dolphin or handstand, full dolphin or handstand, or just lying with legs and pelvis up the wall. This will enhance blood flow from the lower extremities and pelvic area and decrease congestion.
Contrast sitz baths, with or without herbs.
Castor oil treatments applied to the lower abdomen area, over the uterus and the pubic bone.
Essential oils of thuja, tea tree, bitter orange.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or a family member has symptoms of cervicitis.
During treatment, discomfort persists longer than 1 week or symptoms worsen.
Unexplained vaginal bleeding or swelling develops during or after treatment.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs or herbs used in treatment may produce side effects in some individuals.
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