Cervical erosion

Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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.

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Moderate cervical erosion is what?

Cervical erosion can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe based on the size of the erosion area. Mild erosion occurs when the erosion area is less than 1/3 of the cervical area, and moderate erosion when the area is between 1/3 and 2/3. Severe erosion occurs when the area exceeds 2/3 of the cervical area. Women with moderate cervical erosion often suffer from infertility and miscarriages. More seriously, if moderate cervical erosion is left untreated or persists without healing, it can develop into severe cervical erosion or precancerous lesions, and even cervical cancer. Moderate cervical erosion can affect future normal fertility, so it is crucial to take the disease seriously and undertake preventive measures.

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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.

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How is cervical erosion treated?

Cervical erosion is not considered a disease, so there is no need for any treatment for cervical erosion, including the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or various physical therapies such as laser, microwave, LEEP, etc. Simple cervical erosion is just a physiological condition, and routine cervical precancerous lesion screening is necessary. If there are no precancerous cervical lesions, and if the usual secretions are normal without abnormal odor or itching, then no treatment is needed if there is no infection.

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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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Does cervical erosion hurt?

In most cases, cervical erosion does not cause pain. However, cervical erosion caused by inflammation of the cervix and vagina can result in lower abdominal pain in some patients. The primary reason for this pain is the irritation from the inflammation, which can lead to lower abdominal pain and discomfort in the lower back. Therefore, if a patient experiences pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, it is recommended to visit the gynecology department of the local hospital for a gynecological examination to determine whether there is cervical erosion and chronic inflammation, and to provide timely treatment if necessary.