How to check for cervical erosion?

Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 26, 2024
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Firstly, women who are sexually active and have cervical erosion need to visit a hospital for further examinations such as colposcopy to check for erosion. Cervical erosion is a physiological manifestation, caused by the external migration of columnar epithelium from the cervical canal due to hormonal levels, presenting as an erosion-like appearance. Thus, this condition is also a physiological response.

Once sexually active, women who have been sexually active for over two years need to regularly undergo cervical cytology testing using the human papillomavirus (HPV) and liquid-based cytology to see if there are other potential issues. If there are no problems, cervical erosion can be periodically monitored, and it's advised to avoid cold exposure, fatigue, spicy and irritating foods, and maintain cleanliness of the external genital area.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervicitis the same as cervical erosion?

Cervicitis is a common inflammation of the female lower genital tract. It is often caused by pathogenic infections of the cervix, leading to cervicitis lesions, most commonly presenting symptoms such as purulent vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, bleeding after intercourse, and visible cervical bleeding and edema during gynecological examinations. This condition requires antibiotic treatment. Cervical erosion, strictly speaking, is not a disease. Cervical erosion occurs when glandular epithelial cells from inside the cervical canal grow outward onto the external part of the cervix. Since glandular epithelial cells are thin, they appear bright red, resembling erosion, thus colloquially termed cervical erosion. These externalized glandular epithelial cells are susceptible to viral or bacterial invasion, causing cervical lesions, thus medicinal treatment is also often recommended.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How does second-degree cervical erosion heal by itself?

In general, if one hopes for cervical erosion to heal on its own, it might take a long time and the effects might not be very clear. Therefore, if cervical erosion is found to be severe, it is recommended that the patient visits the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of the local hospital. If necessary, physical therapy or anti-inflammatory treatment may be needed to treat the cervical erosion. Generally, after clinical treatment, most patients with cervical erosion will receive effective treatment. If cervical erosion repeatedly persists and does not heal, it is advised for the patient to promptly identify the reasons causing it to persist and seek timely symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the symptoms of cervical erosion?

Simple cervical erosion is not considered a disease, so there are no symptoms associated with cervical erosion itself. However, if the cervical erosion is due to inflammation, resulting in a large affected area, abnormal secretions, or contact bleeding, then treatment must be aimed at addressing the infection. All women, regardless of whether they have cervical erosion, should undergo routine screening for precancerous cervical lesions. The decision on whether to treat and what treatment to opt for should be based on the presence or absence of precancerous cervical lesions or cervical vaginal inflammation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat cervical erosion?

Cervical erosion in women is considered a physiological phenomenon, and it usually does not require special treatment. Treatment is only necessary if the woman experiences contact bleeding or has particularly thick secretions that affect sperm passage. Treatment options include using traditional Chinese medicinal suppositories or physical therapies such as common cervical treatments like microwave therapy, cryotherapy, and electrocautery, all of which are very effective for cervical erosion. If the erosion is extensive, it may be necessary to perform cervical TCT and HPV tests to determine the presence of CRN lesions. If there are CRN lesions, such as middle to high-grade lesions, a cervical conization surgery might be considered.