Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the canal inside the cervix. Most often, the disease is caused by the action of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. These microbes are present and normal, however, they can lead to illness only under certain conditions. Moreover, they perform a useful function, protecting the body from the penetration of more dangerous bacteria. However, for various reasons (violation of local
immune status, malfunctioning of metabolic processes), these bacteria from the status of defenders pass into the status of aggressors.
In addition, cervical endocervicitis is often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as mycoplasmas, trichomonads, chlamydia and others.
With hormonal changes, for example, with estrogen deficiency, non-infectious, or non-specific, endocervicitis can occur.
How does the disease develop? The cervix is one of the biological barriers, it is equipped with several protection mechanisms: the canal in the cervix is narrow, and inside there is a mucous plug with a large number of immunoglobulins and enzymes. During childbirth, during abortion, as well as due to invasive diagnostic procedures, protection falls, which allows the infection to develop violent activity.
Patients who have developed acute endocervicitis of the cervix, complain of mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina, sometimes accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdomen, as well as in the lumbar region.
A gynecologist during an examination of the cervix using mirrors will detect redness in the area of the external opening of the canal, the mucous membrane will be swollen, purulent discharge may be present. The surface is most often eroded.
Chronic cervical endocervicitis will occur if the acute process has not been detected or treated in time. The pathological process goes to nearby tissues. Pseudo-erosion is formed on the cervix from the side of the vagina, secondary infection is also possible. Then infiltrative, hyperplastic and dystrophic changes follow, the neck becomes dense and hypertrophic, with many cysts.
If endocervicitis of the cervix is caused by gonococci, then in this case we are talking about a specific gonorrhea process. It develops in the mucous membrane of the cervical canal, affects the glands, then the infection penetrates deeper into the submucosal layer, where dense infiltrates form. There is a tendency to abscess formation, that is, the appearance of limited foci of inflammation.
A distinctive feature of gonorrheal endocervicitis is a pronounced reaction of inflammation: severe redness of the mucosa, swelling and profuse mucous and mucopurulent discharge.
An unpleasant combination is endocervicitis and pregnancy. The fact is that a disease in itself can make conception difficult. And vice versa, endocervicitis of the cervix with an already existing pregnancy can lead the uterus in short terms to increased tone and cause early discharge of amniotic fluid. In any case, treatment should be started immediately after diagnosis.
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cause (destruction of the pathogenic microorganism), eliminate inflammatory processes and normalize microflora.