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Cervical Erosion
Does cervical erosion affect pregnancy?
Cervical erosion does not affect pregnancy because cervical erosion itself is not a disease. It is a physiological state where the columnar epithelium is everted due to the high levels of estrogen common in young people, appearing as a bright red state of cervical erosion. However, it is not a disease, but rather an issue with endocrine function, which is normal and a sign of youth. Therefore, cervical erosion does not affect pregnancy, and one should not panic and undergo unnecessary physical treatments.
Causes of cervical erosion
Cervical erosion is considered a physiological phenomenon, not a disease. It is part of the normal anatomical structure of females, characterized by a more apparent red appearance of the columnar epithelium on the cervix. This is due to the relatively high levels of estrogen in young women, which causes the columnar epithelium to evert from the cervical canal, resulting in a vigorous growth of the epithelium, and thus the red, erosion-like appearance. This is normal, and as age increases, the columnar epithelium gradually moves inward and is covered by squamous epithelium, resulting in a smooth appearance of the cervix.
Is cervical erosion serious?
Cervical erosion is actually a physiological phenomenon and is not alarming. It is caused by the increased levels of estrogen in the body, which causes the columnar epithelium inside the cervical canal to descend and evert. During gynecological examinations, this part of the cervical canal appears red and granular, like eroded protrusions, as if it has decayed. However, this is not the case. When the estrogen levels in a woman's body decrease, this tissue will retract back into the cervical canal and will no longer be visible. In most cases, treatment is not necessary. Treatment is only required if the erosion is combined with an infection, or if there is bleeding after intercourse, or if there is an increase in thick, sticky vaginal discharge that affects sperm passage. Additionally, some women may have cervical cancerous changes that also appear as erosive growths. Therefore, when a woman notices cervical erosion, it is advisable to undergo a TCT screening to rule out the possibility of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and precancerous lesions of the cervix.
Can cervical erosion be treated with the nine-valent vaccine?
Whether to get the nine-valent cervical cancer vaccine is unrelated to cervical erosion. The nine-valent cervical cancer vaccine is generally suitable for individuals under the age of 25. Those who are not within this age range cannot receive the nine-valent vaccine. Patients with cervical erosion should first go to the hospital for cervical cancer screening, typically involving a TCT and HPV test. TCT, also known as ThinPrep cytologic test, and HPV, known as the human papillomavirus, are used to preliminarily screen for cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Therefore, patients with cervical erosion can receive the nine-valent vaccine as long as the cervical cancer screening shows no issues and they are under the age of 25.
Is cervicitis the same as cervical erosion?
Cervical inflammation is not cervical erosion. Firstly, cervical erosion is merely a physiological phenomenon, where elevated estrogen levels in a woman's body cause the downward and outward movement of the columnar epithelium of the cervix. This condition is mainly seen in women of childbearing age. For instance, postmenopausal women generally have lower levels of estrogen, making cervical erosion less common. For example, during pregnancy, elevated estrogen levels can increase the area of cervical erosion. After childbirth, as estrogen levels gradually return to normal, the area of cervical erosion might reduce and might even become invisible. However, cervical inflammation is caused by pathogenic microorganisms. For example, a common scenario is vaginal inflammation spreading to the columnar epithelium of the cervix in some women. Additionally, some women experience sexually transmitted diseases, like the common infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes inflammation of the columnar epithelium. Therefore, there is a fundamental difference between cervical inflammation and cervical erosion; cervical inflammation is a pathological change, while cervical erosion is a physiological change.
How long does cervical erosion bleed after the scab falls off?
Cervical erosion, if treated with methods like laser or electrocoagulation, may experience bleeding during the scab shedding process. This bleeding usually ceases within about a week. It is common for the blood volume to increase slightly when the scabs fall off, then the bleeding gradually decreases, and stopping within a week is considered normal. If bleeding persists for more than a week after treatment for cervical erosion, it is necessary to visit a hospital for relevant examinations, and receive targeted treatments based on the condition of the cervical wound. If there is active bleeding, treatment should be based on the examination results. Therefore, if bleeding due to scab shedding from cervical erosion lasts excessively long, it is crucial to seek appropriate medical attention at a hospital. Generally, sexual intercourse should be avoided within a month after the operation for cervical erosion, and anti-inflammatory targeted treatments are necessary post-surgery.
Is cervical erosion cervical inflammation?
Previously, cervical erosion was considered a manifestation of cervicitis. Recent research has proven that cervical erosion occurs when the epithelium inside the cervical canal grows out towards the external os and vaginal portion of the cervix, replacing the original epithelium at these sites. This results in a bright red appearance, visually similar to erosion, hence the term cervical erosion. Since the outward migration of the endometrium is a physiological phenomenon that typically retracts back into the cervical canal as age increases, cervical erosion generally does not require treatment if there is no inflammation.
Cervical erosion
Cervical erosion occurs when the epithelium inside the cervical canal grows outward to the external orifice of the cervix and the cervical part of the vagina, replacing the original epithelium of the external orifice and vaginal portion. The outward-growing epithelium from the cervical canal appears bright red, which visually resembles erosion, hence it is called cervical erosion. As the migration of the endometrium from the cervical canal is a physiological phenomenon, with increasing age, the migrated endometrium gradually retracts back into the cervical canal. Therefore, upon detecting cervical erosion, it generally only requires cytological screening and does not need treatment.
How many days of hospitalization for cervical erosion surgery?
The decision should be made based on the condition of the illness. Generally, patients with mild conditions do not need hospitalization, while those with severe conditions usually require a hospital stay of about three to seven days. Cervical erosion is a common gynecological disease in women, related to increased estrogen levels, and is a common symptom during the reproductive age. A few patients may experience an increase in vaginal discharge that is yellowish or even pus-like, and severe cases can lead to bleeding after intercourse. If the patient has no symptoms and the cervical cancer screening is normal, treatment is generally not necessary. However, if the patient experiences an abnormal increase in vaginal discharge or contact bleeding, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Post-surgery, it is advisable to take oral anti-inflammatory medication for three to five days to prevent infection.
How to check for cervical erosion?
Whether there is cervical erosion needs to be assessed through a gynecological examination at the hospital, involving the use of a vaginal speculum, similar to checking for erosion in the right eye. Cervical erosion is physiological, especially during puberty under the effect of estrogen, leading to the enlargement of the cervix. The cervical canal mucosal tissue migrates outward, and the squamocolumnar junction moves outward, resulting in this condition. The surface of the cervix appears granular and pink, similar to what is observed as erosion in the right eye. As estrogen levels decline after menopause, the cervix shrinks and some of the erosions may disappear. It is recommended that women of childbearing age with cervical erosion undergo further cervical cancer screening.