Overview

Cervicitis is inflammation of your cervix due to infection or other irritants. When the tissue of your cervix is inflamed, it becomes swollen and may bleed more easily. It can cause symptoms like a pus-like vaginal discharge, irregular vaginal bleeding or pain during sex. Some people don’t experience any symptoms at all. Most cases of cervicitis happen due to a bacterial infection, but you can get it anytime something irritates your cervix.

Keeping tabs on what’s normal for vaginal health may feel weird. But it’s important because it helps you notice when something is unusual. Since cervicitis is a common condition, healthcare providers can usually identify it easily during an examination. And because cervicitis may not give you symptoms, seeing your provider regularly for exams (even when you think nothing is wrong) is important.

Types of cervicitis

Cervicitis can be acute or chronic:

  • Acute cervicitis starts suddenly. Sexually transmitted infection (STIs) or other infectious bacteria are the most common causes of it. Symptoms may be more noticeable. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.
  • Chronic cervicitis lasts several months. Symptoms may be more mild or not noticeable at all. It’s usually not caused by STIs or infection. Rather, the causes are irritants (or allergens) in things like feminine products and latex condoms, or from leaving things like cervical caps inside your vagina too long.

How common is cervicitis?

It’s hard to say exactly how common cervicitis is, but healthcare providers know it’s very common. Some studies suggest that up to half of all people assigned female at birth (AFAB) will have cervicitis at some point in their lives.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


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