What is Cervix
Your cervix serves as the entrance to your vagina and uterus. It resembles a little doughnut and is the bottom portion of your uterus, which is situated at the very top of your vagina. The os refers to the aperture in the middle of the cervix.
The cervix acts as a gatekeeper, regulating what enters and exits the os.
Your cervix secretes mucus, often known as vaginal discharge when you are not pregnant. Your cervix secretes a viscous mucus throughout most of the month, clogging the os and impeding sperm entry to your uterus.
However, your cervix secretes a thin, slick mucus when you ovulate. Additionally, your cervix may soften or shift, and the os may slightly open. All of this is done intentionally to make it simpler for sperm to enter your uterus.
Your cervix may get harder or shift positions in the days leading up to the start of your menstruation. When pregnant, the os may constrict and begin to shut. The cervix will relax and the os will open if there isn't a pregnancy, allowing the uterus' lining to pass through your vagina.
Occasionally, a closed cervix may occur for a brief period of time during a menstrual cycle. Other times, the cervix may seem to be closed at all times. Cervical stenosis is what this is. When the os gets particularly small or entirely closed up, it occurs. Cervical stenosis affects some women from birth while it affects others later in life.
What are the symptoms of a closed cervix?
You could not exhibit any signs of a closed cervix or cervical stenosis depending on your age and if you're attempting to conceive.
If you haven't experienced menopause, you can start to notice that your periods become more painful or irregular. Because sperm cannot enter the uterus to fertilise an egg, a closed cervix may also result in infertility.
If menopause has already occurred, you may not experience any symptoms. However, problems might result in stomach ache. A bump in the region of your pelvis could also be felt.
what is Strawberry cervix
The bottom part of your uterus that juts out into the vagina is called the cervix.
A Strawberry cervix occurs when the cervix's surface becomes inflamed and covered with tiny red spots.
Actually, the red specks are small capillary haemorrhages (punctate haemorrhages). The medical word for this is "colpitis macularis" when it affects the cervix.
You cannot see the strawberry cervix for yourself. In fact, during a typical pelvic exam, your doctor may not even be able to see it.
However, it may be seen with a colposcope, a specialised lit magnifying device. In the event that you report symptoms like atypical vaginal discharge, your doctor may conduct a colposcopy.
Learn more about strawberry cervix's causes, further symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods by reading on.
What other symptoms are associated with strawberry cervix?
Strawberry cervix might occur in certain women without any other symptoms.
- When symptoms do materialise, they may comprise:
- yellow, grey, or greenish vaginal discharge
- creamy or bubbly discharge
- foul-smelling or “fishy” discharge
- vaginal itching or burning
- bleeding during or after intercourse or between periods
- pain during intercourse
- sensitive cervix (friable cervix)
- inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis)
- inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis)
- redness of the vulva
- frequent or painful urination
- lower abdominal pain
It's crucial to see your doctor for a precise diagnosis since these symptoms might be caused by a number of different disorders.
What causes strawberry cervix?
Trichomoniasis is nearly typically indicated by a strawberry cervix. This condition is sometimes regarded as the most prevalent and treatable STD globally.
Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan, is to blame for it (T. vaginalis). 5 to 28 days may elapse between being exposed to the parasite and being infected.
You may be more likely to develop strawberry cervix if you have:
- a history of sexually transmitted infections
- had a previous bout of trichomoniasis
- multiple sexual partners
- unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex
How is it diagnosed?
Regular pelvic exams seldom reveal strawberry cervix, but colposcopy may find it. Similar to your routine pelvic exam, this treatment may be completed in your doctor's office in approximately 20 minutes. The colposcope makes it easier to see your cervix clearly.
Your doctor may also swab your vagina to get a sample of vaginal fluid for further examination.
Normal vaginal fluid seems to be finely granular. Discharge that is creamy or frothy is abnormal. Other potential causes of your symptoms will be taken into account and ruled out by your doctor.
Trichomoniasis is identified by the presence of a strawberry cervix. Other laboratory examinations that may support this conclusion include:
pH test: Trichomoniasis often, but not always, results in elevated pH levels.
sniff test: Trichomoniasis produces a "fishy" odour in roughly 50% of female patients.
wet mount: Your doctor will use a microscope to analyse your vaginal fluid. Trichomoniasis is indicated if it has squamous vaginal epithelial cells with clearly distinct borders, discernible nuclei, and a generally tidy appearance. The parasite itself may sometimes be observed.
What is the treatment?
Tinidazole (Tindamax) or metronidazole (Flagyl) are two oral medicines that are prescribed to treat trichomoniasis:
One high dosage of these may be taken. Your doctor can suggest a greater dosage if your body doesn't react to the medicine.
After taking the drug, your doctor may advise you to refrain from alcohol for 24 to 72 hours.
The recommended treatment to take while pregnant is metronidazole.
As soon as all of your symptoms have subsided, you should stop having sexual intercourse. Even if they show no symptoms, you should still test and treat your sexual partners to avoid reinfection.
Are there any potential complications?
If left untreated, trichomoniasis can increase your risk of complications, including:
- infection after hysterectomy
- tubal infertility
- cervical cancer
- HIV
Trichomoniasis may result in early delivery or low birth weight in pregnant women. During birth, you might potentially infect your unborn child. Breathing issues, fever, and urinary tract infections might result from this.
You run the risk of spreading the virus to sexual partners if you don't get treatment.
Conclusion:
Although a closed cervix often occurs during pregnancy, it may also occur in women who are not pregnant. Trichomonasis is nearly typically indicated by a strawberry cervix. This condition is often regarded as the most prevalent and treatable STD.