The inside of the cervix is lined with cylindrical cells. The epithelium can freely move, go beyond the boundaries of the body, grow. In all cases, pseudo-erosion of the cervix is formed. This is a pathology that is not a disease, but requires competent treatment and constant monitoring. It is formed exclusively on a healthy area of the mucosa and covers the already existing true erosion.
general information
The cervix connects the uterus and the vagina directly. On the side of the latter, the cervix is lined with flat cells in several layers. Cervical canal is covered with cylindrical elements. They are located in one layer. When these cells go beyond the canal and displace the multilayer flat ones, they speak of ectopia, that is, pseudo-erosion of the cervix.
Most often, such a pathological process is the result of disorders at the congenital level. Sometimes it is formed due to previous erosion. The latter is extremely rare. The erosive focus is a shallow sore on the neck mucosa, with bleeding vessels. For its healing, it is enough to eliminate the focus of inflammation. If there is no adequate treatment, the pathology becomes pseudo-erosion.
Ectopia is diagnosed mainly in women under 30 years of age with an increased level of estrogen in the blood or during pregnancy, when changes are observed at the hormonal level.
Stages, types of pathology
- By origin, the pathology can be congenital, dishormonal or post-traumatic in nature.
- Depending on the type of growth of the epithelium, glandular, papillary and with metaplasia of flat cells are secreted.
- According to the dynamics of development, there can be progressive, stationary and healing stages.
The cylindrical epithelium initially gradually increasing in size forms special erosion glands, therefore this stage is called glandular pseudo-erosion. It can last up to several years. In some cases, papillary growths (glandular papillary pseudo-erosion of the cervix) are observed in the foci of pathology. Subsequently, inflammatory processes subside, atypical cells are replaced by squamous epithelium. This process determines the stationary stage. In the case of a progressing pathology, the ducts of the glands are blocked by secretion, and specific formations appear on the surface of the mucosa or in the thickness of the uterus. In medical practice, this process is referred to as glandular-cystic pseudo-erosion of the cervix. Formations are prone to infection, which entails an increase in the inflammatory process.
Causes of Ectopia
- Early sex life. The mucous membrane of the uterus finally matures by 23 years. If they interfere in this process prematurely, the likelihood of ectopia increases.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Promiscuous sex life.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Bad ecology, worsening the quality of life in general.
- Harmful habits (smoking, drinking alcohol) affect the production of female sex hormones in the ovaries, which leads to a violation of the hormonal background.
- Low immunity.
- Injuries (abortion, childbirth).
- Inflammatory processes, infections, vaginal dysbiosis.
Clinical picture
Congenital pseudo-erosion of the cervix is most often not characterized by obvious clinical signs and is detected during a gynecological examination. Doctors observe it in the form of a red spot that surrounds the external pharynx of the neck. It differs from the vaginal mucosa in a more intense color, while its natural shade varies from pale pink to moderately red. The area of the changed color usually has torn contours, the diameter ranges from 3-13 mm.
For the acquired version of ectopia, the symptoms of the inflammatory process are characteristic. Small cysts form in the epithelium, which are subsequently rejected. On their surface there may be mucous or whitish discharge that comes from the so-called cervical canal. Papillary pseudo-erosion of the cervix is characterized by the appearance of bloody discharge after sexual intercourse, a violation of the menstrual cycle.
What is the danger of ectopia?
Pseudo-erosion with timely therapy can hardly be considered a serious threat to women's health. However, untreated pathology can lead to serious problems, starting with simple inflammation and ending with the appearance of a malignant formation, infertility. In addition, pseudo-erosion is prone to repeated relapses.
The main reason lies in the violation of antibacterial function. The mucous membrane of a healthy cervix forms a kind of cork that protects the uterine cavity from bacteria and viruses of various nature.
Membranes of epithelial cells of this organ have special receptors that distinguish changes at the hormonal level. Pseudo-erosion of the cervix does not allow them to adequately and timely respond to the release of the necessary hormones. This situation is mainly felt during childbirth.
Ectopia and pregnancy
At the first pregnancy, the conception of the baby and its bearing does not interfere with pseudo-erosion. On the other hand, defects on the cervix do not allow it to expand normally during childbirth, provoking numerous tears. Poorly sutured tissue subsequently during the next pregnancy will not be able to hold the fetus, and will also serve as a gateway for the penetration of bacteria.
Due to inflammatory processes and scars, papillary pseudo-erosion of the cervix can interfere with the fertilization of the egg. In medical practice, cases of spontaneous miscarriage and premature birth in women with such a diagnosis are known.
If the pathology was found during pregnancy, this indicates that it was formed due to hormonal disorders. In this kind of situation, a change in the habitual structure of the epithelium is considered an open wound. It can cause infection of the membranes of the fetus and lead to infection of the baby. It is impossible to cauterize pathology during pregnancy, so doctors choose a wait-and-see tactic. In the first trimester, a woman is recommended a monthly examination, and in the second and third weekly. Pseudo-erosion of the cervix can be burned only after childbirth, or rather, after 6-8 weeks, when the allocation of lochia stops.
Basic survey methods
Diagnosis of pathology does not cause special difficulties. Physical examination of the neck allows you to determine the presence of pseudo-erosion in the form of a reddish spot on a light pink background. To confirm the final diagnosis, determine the inflammatory and exclude the pathological process (for example, cancer), patients are prescribed a number of additional examinations:
- Taking cytological smears.
- Advanced colposcopy.
- Biopsy to exclude malignant neoplasms.
- Bacteriological culture of the secretion of the cervical canal.
- PCR study.
- Blood test for hormones.
Ectopia therapy
Treatment can be carried out both medically and non-medically. Usually prescribed antibiotics and antimicrobials, as well as restorative and hormonal drugs, to eliminate the cause of such a pathology as pseudo-erosion of the cervix. Non-drug treatment includes:
- Electrocoagulation (cauterization of affected areas by electric shock). A white crust forms on the surface of the neck, under which the epithelium begins to recover after the procedure. After 10 days, this scab is rejected, thereby exposing the healing area of the mucosa. Full recovery occurs after about two months. The main disadvantage of this method of treatment is the formation of scars, which are extremely undesirable for a nulliparous woman. In the case of the first birth, they can provoke a rupture of tissue of the cervix.
- Cryodestruction ("freezing" of problem areas by means of nitrous oxide).
- Laser destruction (an expensive method of therapy based on the ability of a laser beam to vaporize and coagulate pathological cells at the same time).
- Radio wave therapy.
The choice of a specific method of treatment is carried out by the doctor. Properly selected therapy allows you to restore the epithelium as soon as possible. It is recommended that additional measures be taken to prevent possible relapses. Even the acidic environment in the vagina has a traumatic effect directly on the cylindrical epithelium itself. For pregnant or nulliparous women with a diagnosis of “epidermal pseudo-erosion of the cervix uteri”, a chemical effect on the uterus is undesirable, therefore cryodestruction is best done after childbirth. The main side effect of this procedure is the occurrence of burns of tissues and scars, which prevents the elastic opening of the neck during direct birth.
Currently, more and more doctors prefer radio wave treatment. This method is suitable for women of all ages. Radio wave treatment is prescribed on the fifth day of the onset of menstruation. After natural childbirth or cesarean section - after the disappearance of spotting (usually after 40 days).
Radio wave therapy: contraindications
- Menstruation.
- Inflammatory diseases in the acute stage (colpitis, vulvovaginitis).
- Oncology.
- Pregnancy.
- Mental illness.
- Diabetes mellitus in decompensation stage.
The advantages of the radio wave treatment method
- No burn.
- Just one procedure is enough.
- Breastfeeding is allowed.
After a course of treatment, the appearance of pulling pains in the lower abdomen, which most often pass on their own without the use of drugs, is possible.
Cystic pseudo-erosion of the cervix is also subject to treatment by the radio wave method. Within 10 days after the procedure, dark brown odorless vaginal discharge is allowed.
Lifestyle after therapy
Regardless of the chosen method of treatment, patients are advised to radically revise their lifestyle after a course of therapy. Within 10 days, it is undesirable to swim in pools or ponds. It is necessary to limit visits to the bathhouse, gym. You should refrain from serious physical exertion and sexual activity. However, short walks will benefit everyone, without exception.
Pregnancy can be planned after the final healing of the lesion. This usually takes one to three months.
Prevention
With frequent changes in sexual partners and in case of neglect of contraception, the vaginal microflora can change, the internal genital organs become more vulnerable to infections. In order to prevent the development of cervical pseudo-erosion, it is recommended to undergo preventive examinations at the gynecologist once every six months, to observe elementary rules of personal hygiene. It is equally important to timely sanitize the existing infectious foci, to regulate immunological and hormonal disorders.
As practice shows, the treatment of many inflammatory diseases (colpitis, vulvovaginitis) with untreated erosion does not allow to achieve a lasting effect. As a result, the pathology becomes sluggish and long-lasting.
Conclusion
In this article, we described in as much detail as possible what pseudo-erosion of the cervix is. A photo of this pathology can be found in the specialized literature.
Do not be afraid of such a diagnosis and postpone a visit to a specialist. Remember that timely ectopy and adequate treatment can eliminate the problem, minimize the risk of developing quite dangerous complications.
Every woman in childbearing age should take care of her health, regularly undergo preventive examinations by a gynecologist. This article also presents material on preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of pseudo-erosion. We hope that the information presented here is actually useful to you. Be healthy!