Is cervicitis the same as cervical erosion?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervical erosion prone to pregnancy?

Cervical erosion, if not severe, generally does not affect pregnancy. However, if cervical erosion continues to worsen, leading to chronic inflammation of the uterus, it is likely to result in infertility. Timely treatment can be administered, and once disease symptoms are controlled, it is possible to become pregnant again. Treatment methods such as LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) with blue light can be used to effectively alleviate the symptoms of cervical erosion. Cleansing with traditional Chinese medicine can also have a certain therapeutic effect on alleviating cervical erosion.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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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.