Can You Get Cervicitis Without an STD?

Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.

Cervicitis may be caused by an infection (such as STIs) or a noninfectious cause (such asallergies). Depending on its duration, the condition may be either acute or chronic.

• Acute cervicitisis usually caused by an infection, although it may also be the result of other conditions, such as irritants orallergies. It is sudden in its onset and will resolve quickly with proper treatment.
• Chronic cervicitis, however, has a gradual onset and persists for a long period. It is usually caused by noninfectious origins, such as prolonged exposure to irritants (including deodorants, condoms or tampons).

Cervicitis may or may not cause any symptoms and may be incidentally diagnosed. The condition, however, must not be ignored because untreated cervicitis may cause complications, such as:

• Pelvic inflammatory diseases or PID (an infection of the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes)
• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy(a condition in which the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the maincavityof the uterus)
• Increased risk ofhuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection from an infected partner
• Chronicpelvic pain

Usually, cervicitis is asymptomatic and may be incidentally diagnosed when the female undergoes a pelvic examination for another reason, such aspregnancy.

When present, the symptoms of cervicitis generally include:

• Unusualvaginal bleeding, typically occurring after sexual intercourse or in between periods
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Abnormalvaginal discharge
• Vaginal itching
• Increased urine frequency
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pressure or heaviness

Treatment of cervicitis primarily depends on its cause. Other factors that influence treatment include the age of the patient, duration of the condition and the symptom severity.

• Cervicitis caused by allergies or irritants may be managed by avoiding the use of the offending agents, such as feminine hygiene products or spermicidal jellies.
• Bacterial infections, such aschlamydia,gonorrheaorbacterial vaginosis, may be treated with antibiotics.
• Antiviral medications may be prescribed to treat cervicitis caused bygenital herpes. This treatment controls inflammation and may help limit the spread of infection although the infections cannot be cured.

The doctor may recommend avoiding high-risk sexual behavior and abstaining from sex until the treatment is completed.