However, it can be assumed that there is erosion of the cervix, if a woman complains of pain during intercourse, if there are bloody (brown or pink) discharge from the vagina.
Diagnostics
Each woman needs at least once a half a year to undergo a gynecological examination, so that the diagnosis can be made on time. The doctor examines the cervix and, if necessary, performs colposcopy.
In order to prescribe effective treatment, a specialist must find out the cause of the illness. It is expedient to conduct the following studies:
1) Smear to detect the degree of purity of the vagina. A smear can detect inflammation of the vagina, which increases the risk of erosion of the cervix.
2) Analysis revealing STDs, which very often cause the development of this disease (urogenital chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, papillomavirus infection, genital herpes, etc.).
If the diagnosis is confirmed, additional studies are needed, which make it possible to exclude the occurrence of cervical cancer. Cytological examination and cervical biopsy are carried out.
Erosion and pseudo-erosion of the cervix
The mucous membrane lining the cervix and includes two types of cells: prismatic epithelium, which normally lies in the cervical canal and flat epithelium in the vaginal part of the cervix.
In young women, as well as in those whose blood levels of estrogen are increased, pseudo-erosion may occur, i.e. the exit of the prismatic epithelium to the mucous membrane of the vagina. If hormonal dysfunctions, as well as inflammatory processes in the appendages are absent, physicians in most cases are limited to observation every half a year and cytological examination.
The true erosion is, as a rule, acquired. Her cause may be STDs, vaginitis, colpitis, cervical injury.
Factors contributing to the development of erosion of the cervix are: decreased immunity, promiscuous sex life and its early onset, hormonal disorders.
Treatment of cervical erosion
If pregnancy to the woman still remains, it is necessary to approach the issue of choice of a method of treatment of cervical erosion extremely responsibly.
By itself, this disease does not prevent conception. However, erosion can become a source of infection and a breeding ground for microbes, which entails the risk of infection of the child.
In women with this disease during labor, a neck rupture often occurs because of the inferiority of the tissues.
Therefore, it is better to plan pregnancy after cervical erosion treatment.
Perhaps drug treatment. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs helps to destroy the cause of erosion of the cervix. Having cured infectious diseases (mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.), in some cases, one can get rid of erosion.
The doctor-gynecologist on the basis of examination and analysis may decide to use the means of chemical coagulation for the treatment of erosion.
Among such means - Solkovagin. This drug is applied to the center of erosion, as a result of which the damaged cells die, and their place is occupied by healthy cells. Most often Solkovagin is used in cases of pseudo-erosion.
Vagotil - a drug that causes the death of "sick" cells of the mucosa and contributes to the replacement of their new healthy cells. This drug also destroys pathogenic bacteria in the cervix.
The drug method is the most sparing. It is safe and in case the woman has not yet given birth and plans to live fully during pregnancy after treatment of cervical erosion.
Non-drug treatment involves the use of one of the following methods.
Cryodestruction or frost of cervical erosion. The method consists in the action of liquid nitrogen, which is characterized by an extremely low temperature, on the source of erosion. As a result of the procedure, the damaged cells die, but the healthy ones are not affected.
This method is painless. Due to its use, scars and cervical deformities do not appear.
Laser coagulation is a method consisting in curing by laser cauterization. The laser destroys the "sick" cells, penetrating to a certain depth in the tissue. Neighboring healthy cells remain intact.
This procedure does not leave scarring and does not change the shape of the cervix, which is important, if after the treatment of cervical erosion, pregnancy is planned.
Diathermocoagulation is the most radical and traumatic method. Erosion of the cervix is cauterized using an electric current, resulting in the death of damaged cells. This procedure coagulates not only the surface of erosion, but also the lower part of the cervical canal. Healing occurs in 6-7 weeks. This treatment leads to narrowing of the cervical canal, the menstrual cycle may be disrupted.
This method is not desirable to apply for nulliparous. Otherwise, more careful monitoring of the cervix before delivery is necessary. After treatment by diathermocoagulation, gross scars on the cervix can occur, which can lead to discoordination of labor, fetal injuries, neck ruptures. The cervix should be prepared two weeks before the birth, and use antispasmodics in childbirth. In some cases, natural births after diathermocoagulation are impossible, it is necessary to resort to Caesarean section.
One of the newest methods is radio wave, which consists in the action of a radio wave on damaged tissues. This is a painless method. Complete healing takes place in a short time. Pregnancy after treatment with this method can be planned in the next cycle.
It must be remembered that erosion of the cervix should be cured, as it increases the risk of cervical cancer.