Cervical erosion, a disorder often experienced by women & bull; hello healthy

Cervical erosion or also known as ectropion may rarely be heard by some people. This condition is usually experienced by young women with hormonal changes. To find out more about it, let's look at the following explanation.

What is cervical erosion?

Quoting from the NHS, cervical erosion or ectropion is a condition of glandular cells (soft cells) that should exist in the cervix (cervix) to grow outside the cervix. This creates an area of ​​inflammation that looks eroded and infected.

Even though the name is cervical erosion (portio), this does not mean that the cervix is ​​eroding. It is characterized only by normal squamous cells (harder cells) on the outside of the cervix alternating with glandular cells from inside the cervix that are softer.

This condition can be seen when a woman has a cervical screening (pap smear) and the outer area of ​​the cervix looks red. However, do not worry, this is not dangerous and is not related to the development of cervical cancer.

What causes cervical erosion?

Ectropion or cervical erosion can be caused by hormonal changes due to pregnancy or a woman taking birth control pills that contain hormones.

When you are experiencing the menstrual cycle, the body produces the hormone estrogen. Increased levels of the hormone estrogen cause the cervix to swell and open.

Swelling and opening of the cervix can make a number of glandular cells in the cervix move outside the cervix.

As a result, there is inflammation of the cervix because the soft cells that are inside the cervix meet the hard cells that are outside the cervix.

Although not caused by serious things, if allowed to continue it can endanger women's health.

The reason is, if you experience ectropion, it makes women more susceptible to bacteria and fungi which then lead to infection. Therefore, usually women who have cervical erosions also have cervical infections.

What are the signs and symptoms of ectropion?

This condition is generally harmless and doesn't even cause signs and symptoms. However, some symptoms can appear and can be uncomfortable.

Some things that can be felt when experiencing cervical erosion are:

• Profuse, odorless vaginal discharge (odor appears if cervical erosion is accompanied by infection).
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
• Blood spots that are not normal and are not part of menstruation.
• Bleeding between periods.
• Bleeding during or after sexual intercourse.
• Pain and bleeding during or after a pelvic exam or pap smear.

Pain and bleeding after or during a pap smear usually occurs when a speculum is inserted into the vagina or during a bimanual exam.

However, it should be noted that the above symptoms do not always lead to cervical erosion. If you experience one or more of the symptoms above, it's best to talk to your doctor immediately to confirm the diagnosis.

Is cervical erosion dangerous?

Since ectropion often causes no symptoms, most women are unconscious when experiencing it. Usually only known after undergoing a pelvic examination by a doctor.

Even though it tends to be harmless, this condition should not be underestimated. The reason is, cervical erosion can be the result of other conditions, such as:

• Infection
• Fibroids or polyps
• Endometriosis
• Problems with the IUD
• Cancer development, such as uterine cancer or cervical cancer

To confirm the diagnosis, you can consult a doctor for medical procedures that are suitable for your condition.

Some of the examinations that may be offered are as follows:

1. Pap smear: examination of cervical cells to see any changes in cancerous or precancerous cells that lead to the HPV virus.
2. Colposcopy: examining the cervix using bright lighting and a magnifying device.
3. Biopsy: taking a small tissue sample to test for suspected cancer cells.

The biopsy procedure usually makes a woman feel cramps in a certain area.

Can cervical erosion be cured?

In general, cervical erosion does not cause serious and curable problems. This condition can even heal on its own without any treatment, unless it is accompanied by an infection.

Quoting from Health Navigator New Zealand, if this condition is caused by pregnancy, cervical erosion will disappear after the baby is born with a normal delivery or cesarean section.

If you take birth control pills and your condition worsens you will be asked to change the type of contraception used.

There are several medications that can help you heal cervical erosion. Usually the treatment is done by using heat or cauterise (burning wound).

This is done to harden the soft cells from inside the cervix, so that bleeding does not occur again. There are two treatments with this technique, namely:

• Silver nitrate to burn soft cells. It is generally not painful to do but will be mildly painful.
• Cold coagulation to gently burn cells.

Prior to this treatment, you will be given a local anesthetic so you don't feel any pain during treatment.

However, unfortunately this treatment has side effects. You can experience bleeding or vaginal discharge for about one week to four weeks after treatment.

Therefore, this procedure is very rarely performed. Doctors will usually let the body treat itself this condition is the best treatment for cervical erosion, especially if it is not accompanied by infection.

If an infection occurs, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. We recommend that you consult your doctor further about your condition.

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