All
you need to know about cervical ectropion
Cervical ectropion it is also known as
cervical ectopy. It happens when glandular cells lining the inside of the
cervical canal extend to the external surface of the cervix. Usually, the
external surface of the cervix has epithelial cells, hard cells. Though
cervical ectropion is not a health concern, it can be difficult to
differentiate it from cervical cancer’s early stages. That is why it is
essential to know the difference between the two conditions.
Causes
It is not possible to find out the cause of
cervical ectopy. While it can be as a result of hormonal variations, a few
women are born with the condition. This is the reason pregnant women,
teenagers, and women using family planning pills usually have cervical ectopy.
The situation is not common in postmenopausal women. It is not clear if
cervical ectopy can lead to other diseases or severe complications.
Symptoms
Most of the time you expect a condition
such as this one to have some signs. But that is different. Cervical ectropion
(cervical erosion) does not show any symptoms. Strangely enough, you might not
know you have the condition until you visit a gynecologist and have a pelvic
exam. Cervical ectropion may cause you to have some discomforts which include
the following:
·
Blood spotting
·
Bleeding during or after sex
·
Vaginal discharge
Having any of the above is a sign of cervicalectropion. However, these symptoms or discomforts
might be as a result of other conditions. It is thus necessary to visit a
gynecologist in case you have them checked. If your medic concludes cervical
erosion is the cause of the discomfort, you may be given treatment. Cervical
erosion is harmless, but symptoms could be a reason for other conditions such
as:
·
Cervical or uterine cancer
·
Pregnancy problems
·
IUD problems
·
Infection
·
Fibroids or polyps
·
Endometriosis
Diagnosis
You are likely to discover you have
cervical ectropion during a Pap test and pelvic exam. The condition can be
noticed during the pelvic exam as the cervix will appear rougher than usual and
bright red. It might also bleed. If you are not having symptoms like heavy
discharge or pain in sex, your physician might want to check for the underlying
condition. You may also have another procedure done. The process is known as
colposcopy.
Treatment
If the symptoms are not a bother to you,
there might be no need to treat the condition. Many women experience some, but
the condition goes away on its own. Your doctor will provide you with different
options for managing the disease if the symptoms persist. Treatment includes
cauterization of the part to help stop abnormal bleeding and discharge. The
medication can be completed through the use of cryosurgery and diathermy. You
might be advised to avoid having sex and using tampons for up to four weeks.
Conclusion
Cervical erosion is not associated with any
severe health issues. However, if you are pregnant, it will not harm the baby.
It is vital to diagnose the condition as bleeding during pregnancy can be
worrying.
