Cervicitis causes discharge, irritation, discomfort or painful intercourse, cramping, spotting or bleeding with intercourse. Many times there is no symptom and it is only discovered during the annual exam. Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix. This causes the cervix irritated and red, at times somewhat swollen. It is not always an infection or a sexually transmitted problem.
More than 50% of women may have this. When examined there are tests that help evaluate this condition and help determine whether it is due to a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, herpes, mycoplasma, HPV (human papilloma virus) or CMV (cytomegalovirus). It can also be caused by yeast (candida-monilia) or irritation from gels, foams, intercourse, condoms, douching, tampons, diaphragms or IUD’s. A Pap test is helpful in determining the cause of this problem. It is best not to douche at all.
Latex allergy or sensitivity can be the source of the problem. Following menopause it could be related to a lack of estrogen. The treatment is based on the diagnosis of the cause of inflammation.