Cervical erosion - small sores on the mucous membrane. Often, such a formation arises as a result of infection, occurring in the body of hormonal disorders.
This disease is characterized by the fact that at the initial stages of its development, a woman has practically no symptoms that would allow diagnosis in a timely manner. During the examination, the doctor may detect redness on the epithelium of the cervix. At the very beginning, this disease is completely not dangerous, but over time it develops into a malignant pathology, and various complications arise, including infertility.
What are the varieties of the disease
Doctors distinguish two types of this disease: true cervical erosion and pseudo-erosion. In addition, young girls and adolescents may have a congenital type of disease.
True cervical erosion is a red ulcer located around the external pharynx. The epithelium at the site of the lesion is multilayered, when it is desquamated or rejected, serious damage is formed and inflammation begins to develop. This condition, fortunately, lends itself well to treatment.
With the occurrence of pseudo-erosion, a more dangerous situation is observed. Very often, the epithelium shifts toward the neck. More often this type of erosion looks like a big red wound, which in some cases can fester. Microorganisms that create the microflora of the vagina have a bad effect on tissues, causing inflammation. At the same time, the epithelium does not have protective qualities, therefore it cannot provide a barrier to the penetration of bacteria and viruses. It is this type of erosion that can lead to cancer. It is often found in women with elevated levels of hormones and proceeds quite rapidly until the inflammation is eliminated.
Causes of occurrence
It is important to understand exactly what it is - erosion of the cervix (photos in medical manuals clearly show the lesions), what are its varieties, causes, what is characterized by the violation and how the treatment is carried out. The main cause of pseudo-erosion is:
- hormonal changes during pregnancy;
- disorders after childbirth;
- taking birth control pills.
The causes of erosion of the cervix are:
- mechanical damage;
- exposure to chemicals;
- infectious diseases.
Such a violation can occur with too frequent or intense sexual contact, the introduction of intrauterine contraceptives or tampons, after delivery or abortion. In addition, damage can occur during improper local treatment, the use of spermicides, and douching.
Among the causes of cervical erosion, a violation of the ovaries, a malfunction of the menstrual cycle, and an excess of hormones are distinguished. In addition, a decrease in immunity, chronic diseases can provoke the formation.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of cervical erosion can manifest themselves in completely different ways, it all depends on the characteristics of the course and the types of pathology. Doctors distinguish several forms of this disease:
- true
- congenital;
- pseudo-erosion.
The congenital type is characterized by the fact that there is a displacement of the region between the cylindrical and stratified epithelium. The cause of this violation is the incomplete process of the formation of epithelial tissues. With this form of cervical erosion, the symptoms are almost completely absent.
The true type of the disease manifests itself in the presence of a wound surface on the mucosa, which often has a red color and bleeds when touched. With the course of the inflammatory process, appropriate discharge is observed.
The development of pseudo-erosion occurs when true erosion changes. This form of the disease is characterized by the gradual healing of the wound as a result of replacing the squamous epithelium with a cylindrical one. This process is fraught with serious consequences. In addition, this type of disease becomes a hotbed of chronic inflammatory process. In this case, symptoms of cervical erosion, such as:
- bloody, mucous, or purulent discharge;
- discomfort during sexual intercourse;
- menstrual irregularities.
For a long time, the disease may not manifest itself at all, but at the same time provoke the development of a chronic inflammatory process, as well as more dangerous complications, including malignant neoplasms.
That is why for the timely detection and treatment of cervical erosion, you need to visit a doctor, as only this will make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
Symptoms relate to changes in the consistency and color of vaginal discharge. It should be noted that in the norm they should not be at all. Therefore, such symptoms can indicate various pathologies.
With erosion in the advanced stage, the discharge becomes bloody, often they appear after sexual contact. The eroded surface loses its protective layer. In the presence of erosion in a pregnant woman, blood can be allocated quite abundantly due to a decrease in coagulability and an increase in trauma to the mucous membranes.
Sometimes, during the course of inflammation, a woman has painful urination. The discharge is mostly thick and white, but may be of a different color and consistency. If cervical erosion occurs, you should immediately visit a doctor for diagnosis, as well as subsequent therapy.
Diagnostics
Given the fact that with the occurrence of cervical erosion, symptoms are completely absent, it is important to periodically visit a doctor. In the presence of characteristic complaints, in addition to conducting a standard examination, a number of additional diagnostic procedures are prescribed.
Gynecological examination of the walls of the vagina is carried out using a special gynecological mirror. During the diagnosis, the doctor may notice a modified area on the neck. It is easy to distinguish by a brighter and granular surface.
One of the research methods is colposcopy. This procedure involves examining the vagina by using a special optical device. It does not need to be prepared in advance, it is completely painless. This will allow us to consider erosion more carefully, especially if it is small. In addition, the method of colposcopy makes it possible to determine the type of lesion. In parallel, a biopsy may be required, which will allow you to get a complete histological picture. Such a study is performed if a malignant neoplasm is suspected.
A number of laboratory studies help to determine the pathogen and select the most effective treatment. In this case, a smear from the vagina will be required, as well as a blood sampling.
Erosion treatment
Depending on the degree of progression, the causes of cervical erosion, the treatment is selected individually. The choice of treatment methodology largely depends on the degree of injury, as well as the technical capabilities and experience of the doctor.
In particular, medications, folk remedies, and surgical treatment can be used for treatment. Conservative therapy and alternative methods can be effective in the course of pathology at the initial stage. With a more complex lesion, surgical treatment is performed by using various techniques.
Conservative Techniques
Conservative methods of treating erosion should be selected and carried out exclusively by a specialist. If the disease occurs in young women who have never given birth to women, then treatment can be carried out without surgical intervention. Of no small importance is the medical correction of the cause that provoked the formation of erosion.
To do this, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral, antibacterial, hormonal drugs, and if necessary, local drugs can be additionally prescribed. The complex of therapy includes medications that increase immunity.
With the timely detection of pathology and complex treatment, you can achieve a good result even without surgery. Often, the drug "Solkovagin" is prescribed. It is applied directly to the affected mucosa, providing a cauterizing effect. As a result, a crust forms over the lesion, which disappears after 3-4 days. Conservative methods do not provoke almost no side effects.
There is a completely new treatment technique. It consists in the action of polychromatic light, which has an immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and healing effect. The procedure is carried out by using a special apparatus. This technique allows you to accelerate the healing of ulcers without performing surgical intervention.
Surgical intervention
Some types of pathology require surgical intervention, but before the cauterization of cervical erosion, stabilization of the hormonal background will be required. Among these types of treatment are:
- electrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction;
- laser destruction;
- radio wave therapy.
Cauterization of cervical erosion by applying current is one of the very first methods of therapy. A few years ago, it was quite in demand, but now it is used much less often, since it differs in quite a lot of pain. In addition, as a result of treatment, a scar forms, which adversely affects the birth process. The cervix can rupture along the scar, and also slowly opens, which is an indication for cesarean section. Cervical erosion after cauterization can be repeated again, therefore, the method of electrocoagulation is indicated only for women giving birth.
Cryodestruction - nitrogen freezing, which is widely used not only in gynecology, but also in dermatology. A dangerous area of the cervix is frozen. Within a few days, a crust forms on the mucosa, which then disappears and a clean mucosa remains without scars. The procedure is affordable and widespread. Side effects may include pulling pains in the lower abdomen and spotting. The procedure is performed without anesthesia or with the use of Lidocaine spray.
Laser treatment of cervical erosion requires compliance with the basic rules and special accuracy. The laser can burn large areas of the affected mucosa without injuring adjacent tissues. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually does not lead to relapse.
The most advanced treatment for cervical erosion is the radio wave method. This procedure is performed using the special Surgitron apparatus. Its time is minimal, and there are also practically no side effects.
Treatment with folk remedies
Widely used folk methods for the treatment of erosion. An alternative to surgery or the use of medications can be the use of home-made tampons made from honey wrapped in bandage or gauze. Such a tampon should be inserted as deep as possible into the vagina at night.
It is also advised to make such products from a piece of pumpkin without peels and seeds or bulbs soaked in preheated butter. In addition, a piece of gauze soaked in propolis is suitable. Often women douch with a decoction or infusion of calendula and wash with an infusion of onion peels.
In case of erosion, tampons soaked in sea buckthorn oil are used. Treatment using such a drug is short-lived, since epithelial healing occurs literally in 8-12 days. Oil is used to treat erosion in pregnant women, as well as colpitis.
You can douche with a decoction of St. John's wort, sage, chamomile, as this eliminates inflammation and pathogens. It is worth noting that alternative treatment cannot fully guarantee a cure for this disease. That is why, you must first consult with a doctor and conduct therapy only under the supervision of a doctor.
Possible complications
Erosion can have very dangerous consequences, especially if the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is untimely. In some cases, the disease passes into cancer, and also provokes the development of infectious processes and inflammation.
The consequences of the disease adversely affect the reproductive system, as they interfere with the normal functioning of the uterus. Improper treatment can lead to scarring, which is a serious problem in opening the cervix during delivery. Therefore, after previously undergoing erosion, when planning pregnancy, you must definitely undergo a rehabilitation course to soften scars.
Preventive actions
Important preventive measures are regular check-ups with a doctor, which makes it possible to quickly determine changes in the mucosa. In addition, the importance is given to the timely treatment of diseases that can lead to degeneration of the mucosa.
As prevention, careful hygiene, properly selected contraception and a preventive visit to the gynecologist are required.
Is it possible to get pregnant with erosion after treatment
Erosion does not provoke infertility, therefore, is not an obstacle to the conception of a child. In the presence of pseudo-erosion, a woman can safely plan the birth of a baby. In this case, no specific treatment is necessary; during the bearing of the child and during delivery, complications do not occur.
With true erosion, it is recommended to postpone the birth planning for a while and initially conduct treatment. Sexual infections that provoke this disease can provoke infertility or harm the fetus.
Often, after a comprehensive and adequate treatment, a woman may well become pregnant. After cauterization, there is a minimal risk of infertility. In this regard, it is not recommended to use a similar therapy technique if pregnancy is planned in the future.
Erosion during pregnancy
Experts say that the presence of erosion during pregnancy does not bear absolutely any consequences and dangers for the fetus. The most important thing in this case is the absence of a genital tract infection and pathological changes in the smear.
It is worth noting that the occurrence of such a pathology in the body can lead to a decrease in immunity, as well as the occurrence of hormonal disorders. This can lead to intrauterine infection. Treatment of erosion during pregnancy is not carried out, the exception is only the degeneration of this pathology into a malignant form. In the presence of erosion 2 months after the birth, you must definitely visit a gynecologist, as well as conduct treatment.
Treatment Reviews
Quite often, cauterization of cervical erosion is carried out , patient reviews about this method of treatment are rather ambiguous. Many say that this procedure is painful, and can also lead to scarring of the mucosa. Some patients respond positively to such a treatment technique, saying that it does not cause discomfort and is completely safe.
About folk methods for the treatment of cervical erosion, women leave mostly good reviews. Patients respond especially positively to the use of sea buckthorn oil and tampons with honey. The most important thing is that there is no allergy to these funds.
This gynecological problem can be dangerous, and in some cases it causes considerable discomfort, so it is important to conduct timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.