Advertising on the portal

Erosion of the cervix, how dangerous it is, consequences and complications. What is the danger of cervical erosion? Erosion is more dangerous

Cervical erosion- This is ulceration of the mucous membrane of the uterine pharynx. Pathology is widespread and occurs in a third of women who come to see a gynecologist. However, one should distinguish true erosion from pseudo-erosion, since these are two different diseases, which means that their treatment will be different.

Erosion of the cervix - is it dangerous?

Every woman who has been diagnosed with such a diagnosis wonders how dangerous this disease is. To assess the degree of threat to the body, you need to check with your doctor what exactly he means by the word "erosion".

If pseudo-erosion is found in a woman, then this is a condition that is not dangerous for the body. When true erosion is found, it is necessary to find out the reasons that led to its development. If this is a vaginal infection, then there is a risk of its ascending spread to the uterus and appendages, which can lead to serious diseases, including to.

In any case, when a doctor prescribes treatment, you should not ignore it. Most of the common gynecological pathologies, such as, and, are associated with erosion - they either provoke its development, or arise against its background. The most dangerous is cervical erosion during pregnancy, as the risk of miscarriage increases, there is a possibility of fetal sepsis and its death. Therefore, do not underestimate the danger of erosion and take treatment lightly.

Causes of the appearance of cervical erosion


There are several possible reasons or theories for the occurrence of this pathology.

Among the most common ones are:

    Endocervicitis plays a particularly significant role, according to doctors. This is due to the fact that during such processes there is an increase in the excretory function of the glands located in the epithelium of the cervix, which becomes the cause of its damage;

    Pathological discharge from the uterus, for example, destroyed polyps, endometrium, myomatous nodes. Such substances promote desquamation and maceration of the epithelial tissue of the cervix. This does not happen immediately, but as a result of the prolonged influence of the secretions on the surface of the neck. As a result, a woman develops true erosion, and her surface is colonized by pathogenic microorganisms that cause infectious inflammation. Among the possible dangerous inhabitants of the vagina: Trichomonas, gonococcus, chlamydia, etc.;

    Injuries. Mechanical damage to the cervix often occurs during operations, during childbirth, during abortion, the installation of intrauterine devices and other gynecological manipulations. All this becomes the reason for the eversion of the neck and the development of erosion;

    Hormonal disruptions. Among the most dangerous conditions in terms of cervical erosion are late or, on the contrary, too early puberty of a girl, menstrual irregularities or ovarian function, their inflammation, pregnancy at an early and too late age;

    Immune disorders leading to various malfunctions in the body, including erosion. In this case, the role is played by diseases of a non-gynecological nature;

    Special fetal development during pregnancy. Sometimes the area of ​​cylindrical cells is formed behind the redistribution of the cervical pharynx. However, such a defect is not considered a disease, does not require treatment and goes away on its own.

In addition, in nulliparous women, erosion often occurs in the presence of the following predisposing factors:

    Irregular sex life with rare sexual intercourse;

    Early sexual debut;

    Weak immune defense;

    Frequent change of sexual partners and promiscuous intimate relationships.

There is also a connection between the development of the pathological process and the following reasons:

    Woman's addiction to smoking;

    Hereditary predisposition to the formation of erosion;

    It is possible that the use of hormonal contraceptive drugs has an effect, but this relationship is still being established.

Sometimes absolutely healthy women who have not given birth and have not had abortions develop erosion for no apparent reason. Most often, it goes away on its own, and doctors associate it with physiological processes in the body. As for frequent stresses and the influence of other psychoemotional causes on the development of the disease, the connection between them and cervical erosion has not been proven.



The latent course of the erosive process is observed in 90% of cases. If the symptomatology is present, then it is extremely meager and does not force a woman to see a doctor. Therefore, pathology is mainly discovered quite by accident, when a woman comes to a gynecologist for a routine examination.

Possible rare manifestations of the disease may include:

    With uncomplicated erosion, a woman's natural vaginal discharge may increase. This factor is due to the fact that the increased area of ​​the columnar epithelium produces more mucus;

    Sometimes a woman is forced to go to an appointment with painful sensations in the lower abdomen, menstrual irregularities, the appearance of leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor. However, these clinical manifestations are explained by concomitant diseases of the genital area, and not by the erosive process;

    The erosion itself in rare cases can cause a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, the appearance of discomfort. Especially these sensations intensify after intimacy. In addition, after intercourse, a woman may detect the appearance of minor bleeding.

With an advanced form of the disease, the leucorrhoea becomes thick and slimy, blood or purulent contents can be observed in them.



Doctors identify several types of erosion, each of which has its own characteristics:

    Erosion is true, which resemble abrasion. In this case, the surface of the stratified squamous epithelium is inflamed and damaged. After 1-2 weeks, this type of erosion either self-eliminates or transforms into ectopia, when the stratified squamous epithelium is replaced by cylindrical cells;

    Pseudo-erosion, or ectopia itself. The cylindrical epithelium, as it were, creeps into the area of ​​the neck, which is normally lined with stratified squamous epithelium. On examination, the doctor sees a red surface with fine villi. Ectopia can be acquired and congenital. As for the acquired type of erosion, it occurs as a result of either hormonal imbalance, or becomes the result of any diseases of the woman;

    Congenital erosion. In this case, the border between the squamous stratified and cylindrical epithelium is displaced and located on the vaginal part of the cervix. Such a defect is not large and by about 23 years old it goes away on its own and without treatment. This type of erosion is very typical for nulliparous women under the age of 25 and for those taking oral contraceptives.

In turn, true erosion is of several types. It is classified depending on what caused the development of the pathology:

    True inflammatory - it becomes the result of any infection of the genital organs (this can be trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc.);

    True traumatic - appears as a result of trauma during rough intercourse, childbirth, diagnostic curettage, abortion, etc.;

    True chemical - formed as a result of damage to the neck by aggressive substances used for douching with unskilled self-treatment;

    True burn - formed as a result of cauterization of the area of ​​the cervical pharynx;

    True trophic - arises as a result of a violation of the blood supply to the neck or due to irradiation of the genitals;

    True specific - becomes a consequence of infection or;

    I was cauterized with erosion, but after 2 years it appeared again. What to do? You will need re-treatment. Perhaps more radical. Of the existing methods, laser therapy gives the lowest percentage of relapses.

    I have a watery discharge with an admixture of blood after cauterization of the erosion of the cervix. This is fine? Yes. They can last for a month after cauterization.

    How long can you not have sex after cauterization of cervical erosion? Approximately 4 weeks until the bleeding disappears completely.

    Is it possible to have sex with erosion? Yes, you can.

    The doctor suggested cauterizing the erosion with liquid nitrogen. Will I have a scar on my cervix after the procedure? No, it will not, this method does not leave, it can be recommended to nulliparous women planning pregnancy in the coming year.


In order to determine the therapeutic regimen, it is necessary to take into account many factors, the main one of which is the cause that caused the erosion.

It is important to eliminate it first of all:

    If a woman has genital infections, then they should be treated depending on which pathogen caused the disease. For this, either antibiotics or antiviral agents are used;

    When the course of therapy aimed at eliminating inflammation is completed, the doctor will decide what is the best way to get rid of the pseudo-erosion. This is influenced by the area of ​​the cervix, which is involved in the pathological process, and the age at which the patient is, and whether she plans to have children, etc.;

    Modern methods of eliminating erosion allow even nulliparous women to get rid of the pathological process. While in the past it was recommended to treat erosion only after childbirth, and the process itself was delayed for several years;

    Eliminate the defect in the first phase of the next menstrual cycle, as soon as the bleeding ends. However, there are exceptions, in particular, the method of diathermocoagulation.

It is worth knowing that the so-called moxibustion is not always an effect with the help of any instrumentation. In some cases, the defect can be removed using special preparations.


This way of getting rid of a woman from cervical erosion comes down to the fact that the area with the defect is treated with a chemical. As such, you can use Solkovagin. It contains zinc nitrate, nitric, oxalic and acetic acids. The use of chemical coagulation is possible with small erosion.

In the recent past, doctors used another drug, Vagotil, to eliminate the defect. It was applied to a tampon and inserted deep into the vagina for a week. However, modern doctors do not use it, since it acts on the surface layers without penetrating inside, which determines the low effectiveness of the drug. While after treatment with Solkovagin, a scab is formed, which is rejected after a few days. After two months, complete tissue regeneration occurs, and the healing process is completed.

Among the positive aspects of chemical coagulation:

    Lack of pain during the procedure;

    Ease of use of the method (erosion is cauterized with the preparation twice with a break of several minutes);

    Low cost of the drug (the price of two ampoules of Solkovagin does not exceed 1200 rubles).

If we consider the negative aspects, then the only negative is the ability to process only small erosion.


This method of getting rid of pathology is an outdated method, and it has many disadvantages. The essence of diathermocoagulation boils down to the fact that erosion is cauterized with high-frequency current, and a black scab is formed on the treated area, which looks like a burn. In this regard, this method of treatment is currently used extremely rarely.

Other disadvantages of this method include:

    During treatment, the woman experiences pain;

    Both during moxibustion and after it, there is a risk of bleeding;

    The cervix is ​​deformed as a result of scarring, so there is no way to use this method in women who are about to give birth, as well as in nulliparous girls.

Recovery occurs after 1.5 months, and the moxibustion itself is performed immediately before menstruation, so that the scab is rejected faster and more painlessly. Among the advantages of diathermocoagulation, there is the possibility of performing cervical conization before this, as well as the low cost of the method and its simplicity.


This method is one of the most common. It boils down to the fact that the affected area is processed using a beam of laser beams. Before irradiation, the cervix is ​​wiped with an acetic acid solution and an iodine solution. This allows you to achieve vasospasm, and also makes it possible to "outline" the boundaries of erosion. When a laser beam hits the pathological tissue, moisture evaporates from the damaged cells and as a result they are destroyed.

Among the positive aspects of this technique are:

    No pain during the procedure;

    High efficiency, while the guarantee of recovery is 98%;

    No scars form on the cervix.

Among the main disadvantages of this method, the relatively high cost of the procedure is distinguished, and the decay zone of healthy tissue is quite large compared to radio wave erosion therapy.


This relatively new method is based on the fact that the affected area is treated with liquid nitrogen, its temperature can reach 150 ° C with a minus sign. Nitrous oxide is sprayed using a special apparatus. In this case, the area of ​​the processed tissue acquires a light color and becomes insensitive. The liquid in the affected cells turns into ice crystals, which leads to the destruction of abnormal tissues. The procedure takes 15 minutes on average, and complete recovery occurs after 1.5 months. After the treatment, the woman has abundant discharge, which mainly consists of water.

Among the positive aspects of this treatment method:

    High efficiency that reaches 97%;

    Ease of implementation;

    No pain during treatment;

    No deformation of the cervix.

Among the disadvantages of cryocoagulation, doctors identify the possible risk of incomplete treatment of the damaged area, as well as the appearance of abundant discharge (possibly with blood impurities) after the procedure.


This method of treatment is one of the most popular in modern medicine. He is preferred by most gynecological oncologists, calling treatment with radio waves the most effective. The method is non-contact, while the electric current, passing through the special apparatus Surgitron, is transformed and converted into radio waves. With the help of an electrode, they are directed exactly to the affected area.

During the procedure, contact between the tissues and the electrode does not occur, the cervix is ​​not exposed to high temperatures and does not heat up, which does not lead to burns. In this case, the liquid from the pathological cells evaporates, and the diseased cells themselves are destroyed. The immediate affected area is small, healthy tissue does not suffer from radio waves, which is an undoubted advantage of this method.

It is worth knowing that the procedure is capable of delivering painful sensations, therefore, local anesthesia is necessary.

Among the positive aspects:

    100% cure against erosion is guaranteed;

    The risk of bleeding is reduced to zero;

    No scar is formed on the neck, it is not deformed.

After a maximum of three weeks, complete tissue repair occurs, and the woman recovers. In addition, the procedure can be carried out on any day of the menstrual cycle. As for the shortcomings, there is only one - not every clinic has equipment for radio wave treatment, and it is not cheap.

Surgitron in the treatment of cervical erosion is a recognized leader in terms of effectiveness. This is a special apparatus that is used to eliminate erosion using radio waves. The damaged tissue is simply evaporated under the influence of ultra-high frequency vibrations. The patient almost does not experience pain during such treatment. At the same time, the vessels are instantly sealed or coagulated, which prevents the development of such a complication as. After the treatment is completed, a special protective film is applied to the damaged surface, which makes it possible to protect the uterus from various infections.

Treatment with this modern device is suitable for most women, even those who have not had pregnancies or gone through childbirth. This is due to the fact that scars will not form on the surface of the cervix, as with other methods of exposure. It is the scars that often become the cause of the violation of labor in the subsequent time. Also, treatment with Surgitron is suitable for women who have recently given birth who have just completed lochia, while lactation is not a contraindication to the procedure.

However, despite the fact that the method is minimally traumatic, before undergoing treatment, a woman needs to carefully prepare.

These activities boil down to:

    Identification of infections of the genital tract, including hidden ones. Any inflammatory process must be excluded: vagina, uterus, ovaries, tubes;

    The procedure is not done during menstruation;

    Treatment with Surgitron should be carried out with extreme caution if a woman has poor blood clotting;

    Before embarking on treatment using radio waves, a woman must undergo a complete diagnosis.

When the session is completed, you should not lift weights, bathe in the bath and live an intimate life for two weeks. When the doctor confirms that the recovery process has come to an end, you can start planning your pregnancy.

Suppositories from cervical erosion


Erosion can be treated not only with moxibustion, but also using various candles.

This method is the most gentle among the indications for candle therapy:

    An erosive process caused by an imbalance of the vaginal microflora;

    Painful sensations during the menstrual cycle with localization in the sacrum;

    Erosion caused by sexually transmitted diseases;

    Injuries after abortion or difficult childbirth;

    Erosion resulting from hormonal disruption.

However, it is worth knowing that candle therapy is possible only in small areas that have undergone a pathological process. Larger erosions, as a rule, do not respond well to conservative treatment. Also, suppositories can be prescribed as an auxiliary therapy after moxibustion. You should not independently prescribe a drug to yourself and use it to eliminate erosion, as this can be harmful to health. It should be borne in mind that sea buckthorn oil is not used to treat ectopia, as it promotes the growth of epithelial tissue, which means it stimulates the growth of erosion. It is possible to treat ectopia with sea buckthorn candles only after it is cauterized.

    Candles Depantol. They are injected intravaginally twice a day. The maximum duration of a course of treatment is 3 weeks. During therapy, it is forbidden to use toilet soap for washing, since its constituent components neutralize the effect of candles;

    Candles Geksikon. They are able to relieve inflammation, normalize microflora, have no contraindications. They are also used twice a day, the duration of the course can be maximum 20 days;

    Livarol candles. The advantage of this agent is that it is administered once enough, and the therapeutic effect can be achieved already after five days. However, they cannot be used while carrying a child, during lactation and in the presence of hypersensitivity to the components that make up the suppositories;

    Fitorovye candles. This remedy is made on a natural basis, it is more often used after cauterization of erosion;

    Suppositories Clotrimazole. The therapeutic course is 6 days, a candle is injected once a day;

    Suporon candles. Based on therapeutic mud, application is possible only after consulting a doctor.

Is it necessary to treat erosion at all?


Cervical erosion does not always require treatment. The need for therapy is determined by the doctor and depends on a number of factors. It is important to establish the type of erosion, the degree of its progression and the cause of its occurrence.

By etiology, it is customary to distinguish between the following types of cervical erosion:

    Ectropion;

    Ectopic columnar epithelium;

    Erosion is true;

    Inflammatory erosion or the so-called cervicitis.

As a rule, the doctor informs the patient about the problem, but does not name the type of erosion during the announcement of the diagnosis. Although this very moment is one of the key in the question of the need for therapy. Therefore, after making such a diagnosis, a woman must independently clarify it.

To determine whether it is necessary to treat erosion, the patient is referred for colposcopy. In parallel, tests are performed for latent genital infections (syphilis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc.). Only after receiving the results of all studies can one decide on the tactics of further treatment.

If there are no latent genital infections, and no inflammation of a nonspecific nature (candidiasis, vaginal dysbiosis) is detected, then there is no need to treat the mucosal defect. It does not matter what kind of erosion a woman has.

The next diagnostic step is to take a smear to identify atypical cells. If it is negative, then you should take a wait and see attitude. This is due to the fact that any erosion against the background of the complete health of the reproductive system can resolve on its own. Even if no cure occurs, the operation will not be required until unwanted changes are found in the cytology smear, or other signs appear that indicate the presence of severe cervical dysplasia.

Treatment of erosion is required, provided that it is covered with ulcers, or if there is an inflammatory process in the vagina. Therapy is reduced to taking medications (antibiotics, antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs), which should act directly on the cause of the pathology. The success of drug correction is achieved in 90% of cases. The therapy can last up to 3-4 months. Only after this time is it possible to make a decision on performing a surgical intervention using one method or another (radio wave surgery, laser or chemical coagulation, diathermocoagulation, etc.).

The operation is indicated for severe dysplasia, which is detected by the results of a cytological examination of a smear. It does not matter whether there is an inflammatory process in the vagina or not. The affected tissue must be removed unambiguously.

Prevention of cervical erosion


All doctors are unanimous in one opinion - erosion, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than for a long time, and, at times, it is painful to get rid of it. Therefore, the prevention of this pathology of the cervix is ​​a rather urgent question:

    Regardless of whether a woman is healthy or not, she needs to undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist. Both visual inspection and smear sampling are important;

    It is important for a woman to adhere to basic hygiene rules, not to forget about the need to wear underwear made of high-quality materials;

    A permanent sexual partner is a guarantee of protection against most sexually transmitted diseases, which, in turn, can provoke erosion. Do not ignore such an elementary method of contraception as a condom. It will protect a woman not only from illness, but also from unwanted pregnancy, which can lead to abortion, injury and erosion;

    It is important to monitor the state of the immune system and eliminate any diseases in time. For this purpose, it is worth taking vitamin and mineral complexes, which are especially relevant in the autumn and spring. In this regard, physical activity, balanced nutrition, yoga classes, etc. “work” well on the immune system.

These measures are quite enough to avoid such an unpleasant pathology as cervical erosion, especially for nulliparous women. Naturally, before planning pregnancy, it is best to get rid of erosion, if it is not congenital. This will help preserve the health of the woman and the unborn child.


Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology was obtained at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N.N. N.I. Pirogova.

Content

Erosion of the cervix is ​​detected in a significant number of women of any age, which indicates the prevalence of pathology. In this connection, many women are interested in whether cervical erosion is dangerous.

Erosion of the cervix is ​​a local violation of the integrity of the cervical epithelium, which has a mechanical or inflammatory etiology. The defect of the cervix is ​​visible to the doctor with the naked eye. In general, pathology involves a superficial wound or ulcer.

Often, women, as well as gynecologists, call the area of ​​the cervical part of the uterus that has undergone changes as an ulcer. Some changes are dangerous enough that they threaten the well-being of the patient's health.

There are several types of erosion:

  • congenital;
  • acquired;
  • physiological.

Erosion can also be:

  • complicated;
  • not complicated.

Some gynecologists classify erosion in the following types:

  • congenital;
  • true;
  • pseudo-erosion.

In reality, true erosion does not last long. If untreated, after two weeks it turns into pseudo-erosion, which is also called ectopia. In other words, erosion is a wound. After a short time, the damaged tissue heals. However, usually this recovery process does not occur correctly, for which there is a scientific explanation. Improper healing threatens the development of pseudo-erosion.

Pseudo-erosion is an altered area of ​​the cervical epithelium without manifestations of damage. If untreated, the wound surface can lead to pseudo-erosion, characterized by improper healing of the mucous membrane.

Usually, prolonged inflammation in the vagina or cervical canal, traumatization of the cervical part of the uterus, leads to the appearance of erosion. True erosion is rarely detected due to the short period of its course. In turn, ectopia is detected during a gynecological examination in every fifth woman.

If the healing of true erosion occurs correctly, trauma does not lead to pseudo-erosion. In some cases, pseudo-erosion can also be eliminated on their own.

It is noteworthy that sometimes an intrauterine disorder, manifested in improper differentiation of cells, leads to the appearance of congenital erosion. It progresses with unstable hormonal levels in girls until the end of puberty. However, after the physiological maturation of the cervical mucosa, this defect disappears.

Answering the question, what is dangerous, it can be noted that in the overwhelming majority of cases this type of defect is safe for health. However, some erosions require not only observation, but also treatment. As a rule, we are talking about such a condition as congenital erosion of the cervix, to which inflammation has joined. This often occurs with the onset of sexual activity, especially when sexual debut is too early and dangerously rapid progression.

Some pregnant patients are interested in cervical erosion, is it dangerous.

Erosion of the cervix can develop during pregnancy, which is not dangerous and does not threaten with serious complications. The reason for its appearance during pregnancy is hormonal fluctuations and a physiological decrease in immunity.

Cervical erosion is not characterized by specific symptoms. Often, the appearance of a clinical picture is associated with concomitant gynecological diseases. However, like any other wound, erosion may bleed slightly with direct contact during the process:

  • douching;
  • gynecological examination;
  • intimacy.

Identification of erosion is not difficult, since it is well visualized during a routine examination of the cervix. However, to confirm the diagnosis, study the structure of the tissue, and detect concomitant diseases, the patient is recommended to be examined.

Treatment does not imply a single tactic. For example, the congenital form usually needs to be monitored; the true species will often heal on its own. If self-healing does not occur due to the presence of inflammation, therapy is required. Surgical elimination of erosion is carried out in relation to ectopia, since this form is terrible with the development of serious pathologies.

It is known what threatens cervical erosion, which has a frequent recurrent course. Many patients are interested in why cervical erosion is terrible when constant relapses occur. Gynecologists correlate such a defect with a precancerous pathology, which must be immediately eliminated.

Causes of occurrence

The cervix is ​​the junction of the uterus and vagina through the cervical canal. The surface of the cervix contains squamous cells of stratified epithelium, while the cervical canal is covered with only one layer of cylindrical cells. The area of ​​fusion of squamous and columnar epithelium is called the transformation zone. This site is inaccessible for visual inspection, as it is located in the depth of the external pharynx.

The vaginal epithelium is influenced by estrogens, which are responsible for cellular activity. Since part of the cervix is ​​also located in the vagina, estrogens affect this section as well. The wrong effect of estrogen and causes congenital erosion in girls. The congenital form does not represent a wound or ulcer. Its appearance is explained by the proliferation of cells of the columnar epithelium outside the external pharynx. The congenital type often regresses before the end of puberty. In addition, this condition does not cause oncological alertness and does not threaten complications in the absence of an infectious process.

A true defect is a violation of the integrity of the epithelium due to traumatic factors. True erosion is of several types.

  1. Inflammatory. The infectious process of the vagina, the cervical canal is dangerous by damage to the cervical epithelium, which threatens its partial rejection.
  2. Specific. This is a rare species, which leads to tuberculosis, syphilis. Tuberculosis is terrible by the spread of infection through the hematogenous pathway.
  3. Traumatic. Difficult childbirth, abortion, curettage threaten mechanical damage to the cervical part of the uterus.
  4. Burning. Exposure to the epithelium of the laser, chemicals leads to the formation of a scab. With its premature rejection, the eroded area is exposed.
  5. Trophic. Disruption of tissue nutrition is dangerous by the development of erosion in women after menopause. This condition is caused by a lack of estrogen.
  6. Cancer. This variety is scary in that it is easily mistaken for another cervical disorder. The disintegration of a malignant tumor leads to such a defect. In some cases, this form may indicate the initial form of oncology.

Weakened immunity is dangerous by the development of many pathological conditions, in particular, cervical erosions. It was found that in representatives with weak immunity, the healing process is slower, largely due to the fact that the body does not fight infections well.

Incorrect healing of the true form threatens the development of ectopia. This condition often requires surgical treatment.

Often, doctors diagnose a physiological type that is not dangerous or scary. This type appears in representatives of up to 25 years of age and usually regresses on its own.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Contrary to popular belief, the pathological condition does not cause disturbances from the cycle, pain and bleeding. Some women think - what is terrible about cervical erosion is the development of oncology. In fact, 95% of ulcers do not develop into cancer. But neglected erosion becomes the basis for the development of dysplasia.

The clinical picture is due to concomitant diseases of the cervix. As a result, there is the appearance of mucous secretions, as well as mucopurulent character, whiter. Women often experience discomfort, in particular during sexual intercourse. These symptoms do not threaten anything serious and do not indicate a dangerous disease. However, as with any other atypical discharge, doctors recommend not postponing a visit to a specialist.

It is possible to determine exactly whether an ulcer defect is dangerous or not, it is possible after passing the examination. In some cases, a wound on the mucous membrane is terrible because the oncological process can be disguised as an ulcer.

Diagnostics of erosion includes several basic studies:

  • gynecological examination, which allows to identify erosion and suggest its type;
  • smear for oncocytology to detect atypical elements and inflammation;
  • PCR to detect infections;
  • colposcopy, during which, under a microscope, you can examine the cervix and take material for a biopsy.

In most cases, a mucosal ulcer is not a dangerous disease. However, in order to exclude diseases that can threaten health, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination.

Treatment methods

Usually, an ulcer is not afraid of the development of serious complications. If the defect is not dangerous, for example, in the case of a congenital variant, the doctor may recommend an observation tactic. Most of these conditions disappear on their own. If the defect does not regress, infection is possible.

Complicated congenital erosions should be treated like infected ectopias. Therapy in true forms involves treatment with antibiotics and drugs that promote healing of epithelial tissue. If a pathological condition occurs during pregnancy, it is observed, and therapy is started three months after delivery. During therapy, hormonal disorders should be taken into account, which negatively affect the cervical tissue.

Various surgical tactics are often used to eliminate ectopia.

  1. Diathermocoagulation. This method involves the use of electric current. Cauterization is dangerous for nulliparous patients, as it threatens with complications. This necessitates the use of alternative techniques.
  2. Cryodestruction. The method is based on the freezing of tissues with liquid nitrogen. The procedure is not dangerous for nulliparous patients and does not lead to serious consequences.
  3. Laser vaporization. The tactic uses a laser beam to vaporize the affected tissue in ectopia. The intervention is also harmless and can be performed on nulliparous girls.
  4. Exposure to radio waves. This is one of the most modern and effective methods that is used to eliminate pathology without capturing healthy mucous membranes.

Erosion is not terrible in the oncological aspect and rarely leads to complications, but it needs timely diagnosis, monitoring and elimination.

According to the Association of Gynecologists, at least 20% of women suffer from cervical erosion. This disease is dangerous in that it contributes to infertility and can degenerate into a malignant formation, if not cured in a timely manner.

Normally, in a healthy woman, the vaginal part of the cervix is ​​lined with a squamous stratified epithelium, while the inner surface of the cervical canal is covered with a single-layer cylindrical one.

Replacement of squamous epithelium with a columnar epithelium can lead to the development of chronic erosion of the cervix. There are several reasons for the onset of pathology:

  1. Hormonal Disorders.
  2. Mucosal injury.
  3. Inflammatory processes of the genital area.

Additional risk factors include:

  1. Early sex life.
  2. Pregnancy before the age of 16.

Erosion treatment methods include conservative methods and the damaged part of the organ . In medicine, radio knife, electrocoagulation, etc. are actively used. The safest thermal therapy is laser cauterization of cervical erosion.

Symptoms and Signs

The disease is fraught with complications due to the fact that there are no specific symptoms at an early stage of the pathology. Erosion can be detected only when examined by a gynecologist. A woman may notice some discomfort and not attach importance to it, attributing it to other reasons.

If there are discomfort during intimacy or unusual discharge, this may indicate erosion or ectopia.

Pink, reddish, or brown discharge appears when blood particles get into the leucorrhoea. This is due to mechanical damage to the microvessels.

A purulent secret indicates that concomitant diseases have developed against the background of erosion.

The danger of cervical erosion is that it can lead to the development of diseases of the female genital area. In order to detect erosion in a timely manner, it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist. Only a doctor can diagnose or and prescribe conservative treatment or cauterization with liquid nitrogen, laser or radio waves.

If the disease is started, the erosion of the epithelium will continue, and this affects the general condition of the reproductive system and leads to the development of complications.

After moxibustion, tissue regeneration occurs for a month, after which flat epithelial cells are formed at the site of erosion, and the risk of severe complications is significantly reduced. In order to avoid re-formation of the focus of the disease, a woman should follow all the doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period:

  • do not use tampons;
  • do not overheat the body in a bath, solarium, on the beach;
  • refrain from swimming in open bodies of water and taking a bath;
  • stop drinking alcohol.

It is forbidden for 5-6 weeks, and for the next six months it is better to use a barrier method of contraception to reduce the risk of infection. Before planning a pregnancy, you must be examined by a gynecologist. In the event that the birth of a child is not included in the woman's immediate plans, to assess the success of the treatment, you need to visit a doctor.

Consequences and complications of erosion

Violation of the integrity of the cervical tissue contributes to the development of pathogenic microflora, which leads to inflammatory diseases. The most commonly diagnosed chlamydia, trichomoniasis and various fungal infections. If erosion is not treated, then the appendages and the uterine cavity are affected by infections.

The danger of erosion is the high likelihood of adhesions and other serious diseases. The consequences of erosion can be:

  • dysplasia;
  • oncological diseases;

Timely examination by a gynecologist and treatment of the revealed pathology will preserve reproductive ability and general health for a long time.

Cervicitis

Cervicitis can become one of the consequences of cervical erosion. This pathology leads to miscarriage and premature birth. Cervicitis provokes the formation of polyps, inflammation of the uterus and appendages. Symptoms of pathology:

  • cloudy or purulent discharge;
  • soreness when urinating;
  • discomfort during intercourse;
  • pain in the lower abdomen.

Large erosion promotes infection and inflammation of the vaginal cervix. Cervicitis is accompanied by other pathologies:

  • vulvitis;
  • vaginitis;
  • eversion of the neck.

This disease mainly affects women of reproductive age. The incidence of illness during menopause drops sharply.

Endometritis

Launched erosion contributes to the development of endometritis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterine membrane. Often it also affects the muscle layer. The acute form of the disease, if untreated, turns into a chronic one, which is almost asymptomatic, in advanced cases bleeding is possible. The consequences of endometritis for the uterus are as follows:

  • thickening of the mucous membrane;
  • serous plaque.

The severity is determined by the size of the lesion of the altered endometrial structure. The chronic form of the disease leads to infertility, miscarriage and other complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Dysplasia

At this stage, neglected erosion triggers pathological processes, during which epithelial cells degenerate into atypical ones. Dysplasia occurs at the border of the cylindrical cells lining the cervical canal and squamous stratified epithelium. This condition is considered precancerous. The third degree of dysplasia degenerates into squamous cell carcinoma. With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Cancer

Oncological diseases of the cervix are often diagnosed in women of reproductive age, and very often the cause is untreated erosion. The development of benign processes threatens to degenerate into malignant ones, in this case the treatment process is more complicated, and the prognosis of recovery is much lower and depends on the stage of development of the pathology.

Infertility

Violation of the protective functions of the cervix contributes to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into its cavity. Depending on the stage of inflammation, the fallopian tubes can become impassable, which excludes the onset of pregnancy. The erosive surface complicates the process of sperm penetration into the organ. The appearance of erosion in those who have given birth and the lack of treatment leads to secondary infertility.

Other complications

Pathological changes in the epithelium can occur at any age, although the reproductive age gives the highest risk of disease, since it is during this period that a woman is most sexually active, gives birth to children and, unfortunately, has abortions. Nevertheless, in adolescence and during menopause, there is also the likelihood of developing a defect in the cervical mucosa.

Puberty

Erosion can occur in adolescent girls with the onset of puberty. The formation of the menstrual cycle leads to hormonal fluctuations, the reproductive system at this age is quite vulnerable. The reasons for the development of erosion include:

  1. Hypothermia.
  2. Errors in genital hygiene.
  3. Early onset of sexual activity.

At the age of 11-14, menstruation is irregular. Hormonal changes in the body cause previously unfamiliar sensations, so there is a great danger of missing the symptoms of the onset of the pathological process.

In the future, erosion can lead to diseases of the genital area and infertility.

Menopause period

During menopause, the level of female hormones decreases, and the cervical canal produces less secretion. At this age, the likelihood of penetration of pathogenic infections into the uterine cavity increases. Insufficient secretion of the vaginal mucosa leads to the formation of microcracks and further development of erosion. To minimize friction during moments of intimacy, you need to use lubricants or consult with a gynecologist about the advisability of using medicinal ointments and suppositories with a softening effect.

Untreated erosion can lead to cancerous processes in the cervix. If during menopause a woman has bloody discharge, and sexual intimacy causes discomfort, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist, since oncogenic risks increase with age.

Do not ignore the alarming symptoms - cervical cancer can metastasize to the body of the uterus and other pelvic organs. Timely diagnosis allows you to determine the disease at the initial stage. The earlier the pathology is detected, the higher the chance of a favorable prognosis.

Pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, a woman must undergo tests in advance. If erosion is detected, then it must be cured no later than six months before the expected conception. Untreated cervical pathology can provoke the penetration of infection into the uterine cavity, which is fraught with intrauterine infection of the fetus, or infection of the child during birth.

If erosion of small sizes is found in a pregnant woman, cauterization is not performed, since manipulations with the neck can lead to its opening and provoke a miscarriage. When the lesion is large in size, gentle treatment methods are indicated that do not cause the formation of scar tissue.

Poorly performed erosion treatment entails a coarsening of the mucous membrane. A decrease in the elasticity of the cervical tissue leads to its rupture during childbirth.

Postpartum period

Postpartum erosion can be caused by:

  • tears and cracks in the mucous membrane;
  • damage to the epithelium with instruments;
  • suturing;
  • infection.

In addition to mechanical injuries, hormonal disorders and exacerbation of chronic diseases contribute to the development of pathology. A woman may mistake the symptoms of erosion for features of the postpartum period. It is necessary to undergo a preventive examination in order to timely identify and cure the disease and preserve reproductive function.

Information about the dangers of cervical erosion will help a woman make a choice and start timely treatment. The consequences of pathology can be irreversible conditions for the body - from infertility to carcinoma.

The diagnosis of "cervical erosion" is established by every third woman of reproductive age. This usually happens during a routine examination, when a woman contacts to establish pregnancy or with complaints of other diseases.

According to doctors, another third of the patients suffered the disease without seeking help, which suggests that every woman has encountered pathology to one degree or another.

The prevalence of the lesion and the characteristics of the treatment of the condition, which were previously used, cause fear in many. It is wrong and dangerous to avoid medical care - modern methods of treatment are painless, and neglected erosion can cause irreversible conditions.

Causes of erosion

In the body of a healthy woman, the mucous membranes of the vagina and the secretion separated by them provide the protection of the organ during intercourse, the elimination of the infection, the penetration of sperm into the cervical canal and its cavity for subsequent conception.

A healthy neck and special mucus secreted by the specific red epithelium of the cervical canal prevent foreign fluids and pathological microorganisms from entering the organ cavity.

In some cases, changes occur on the mucous membranes of the cervix that partially or completely cover the surface. During the examination, the doctor can observe:

  • thinning of the mucous membrane, microcracks and ulceration, when pressed, blood appears;
  • irregular red areas of various sizes on a pink background of mucous membranes (you can see the photo here);
  • a ring of red epithelium creeping onto the neck from the cervical canal.

In this case, it is required to specify what is cervical erosion, because all three states are included in this concept, although they have fundamental differences. Cracks and wounds on the surface of the neck are diagnosed as true erosion. The condition lasts 1-2 weeks, then healing occurs, therefore, it is noted quite rarely.

Lesions on the surface of the neck can be overgrown with both normal, "regular" epithelium, and atypical, cylindrical. This condition is diagnosed most often and is defined as ectopia. It may be congenital, not pathological. This feature of the formation of the mucous membranes of the internal genital organs passes on their own, without treatment, after the full maturation of the body (by the age of 23-25).



The exact mechanism of thinning mucous membranes and replacing the epithelium is unknown, the most common version is hormonal changes in the body against the background of a decrease in the body's immune defense. The condition is defined as complex - this is confirmed by the frequency of diagnosis and the multiplicity of causes of occurrence. The process of spontaneous restoration of the integumentary epithelium is often observed with minor erosions without special treatment (in the absence of inflammatory diseases, after normal childbirth).

The factors provoking the condition include:

  • hormonal imbalance with too early sexual activity, pregnancy or late pregnancy, transition to menopause;
  • infection with papilloma viruses, sexually transmitted infections, HIV;
  • irregular sex life, frequent partner changes, rough sex or the use of sex toys;
  • violations of the flora in the vagina, which can be caused by unprotected sex with partners or frequent douching;
  • chronic inflammatory processes in the body, including the internal genital organs and the abdominal cavity, the destruction of fibroids in the uterus;
  • postponed acute viral diseases;
  • long-term use of drugs, including hormonal contraceptives;
  • injuries during medical procedures, including the introduction of an intrauterine device, abortion, operations in the uterine cavity;
  • difficult labor with subsequent rupture of the cervix or its eversion;
  • excess weight with a sedentary lifestyle;
  • endocrinological pathologies - diabetes mellitus, dysfunction of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
  • strong nervous overload, being in conditions of constant stress;
  • psychosomatic reasons.

Disorders in the formation of mucous membranes are observed in women of all ages, with or without regular intercourse, who have had time to give birth or have no children, which once again confirms the complexity of the process that arises.

Symptoms and course

Erosion is often called a "silent threat" - changes in the mucous membranes of the cervix often go away without pronounced symptoms. Hormonal imbalance in combination with other factors provoking the immune defense cause inflammatory diseases in the body.

In what order the pathologies are formed, doctors have different opinions, but only at the stage of inflammation joining does a woman begin to feel discomfort. The most common complaints will be:

  • periodic pain in the lower abdomen;
  • blood or spotting during sex;
  • soreness during intercourse;
  • discharge of yellow or green color with a pungent odor;
  • frequent urge to urinate;
  • disorders of general well-being.

The answer to the question: is cervical erosion dangerous is unambiguous - the condition is background for the course of general diseases, provokes inflammatory diseases and degeneration of cervical epithelium cells into atypical, then - malignant.

What processes occur in the vagina and on the cervix during erosion? The walls of the vagina and the cervix are normally covered with pink squamous stratified epithelium, the cells of which have nuclei, the cell walls are elastic and dense. Above the muscle fibers of the walls is the basal layer of mucous membranes, in which new layers of cells arise. Gradually rising upward, they displace old layers, which are removed from the vagina with natural, small in volume, odorless transparent secretions.

The cervical canal is lined with a different kind of epithelium - cylindrical, red, located in one layer. Its purpose is to send sperm cells into the uterine cavity during intercourse and produce viscous thick mucus that protects the entrance to it.

After the replacement of normal cells of mucous membranes with cylindrical ones, they begin to produce thick mucus, atypical for the vagina, which, under certain circumstances, becomes a medium for the development of a pathological infection, which aggravates erosion and allows new areas of the cervix to be captured.

Inflammation zones with a general hormonal imbalance provoke a decrease in immune defense and create an increased risk of inflammation spreading to the internal genital organs. What is the danger of cervical erosion in case of untimely treatment of a woman to a doctor or self-medication? Potential complications are likely to be:

  • endometrial inflammation, or endometritis;
  • pathological processes in the muscular part of the uterus (myometritis);
  • complex inflammation of the integumentary and muscular layer of the uterus - endomyometritis;
  • inflammation of both or one fallopian tubes;
  • pathological inflammatory processes in both ovaries;
  • combined inflammation of the tubes and ovary, or adnexitis;
  • increased reaction (inflammation) of the pelvic peritoneum.

The addition of inflammation can cause fever, fatigue and weakness. Late seeking medical help and advanced disease can cause difficulties in conception.

Erosion and pregnancy

A woman planning to become a mother must undergo a full examination before conception. The detected erosion is subject to treatment, existing methods allow you to eliminate the altered area of ​​mucous membranes quickly and painlessly.



Will cervical erosion be anything dangerous for a woman who wants to get pregnant? Long-term development of ectopia (false erosion) forms the proliferation of epithelium on the cervix in the form of cysts and small growths that make it difficult for sperm to enter the cervical canal (they are immobilized by thick atypical mucus) and conception does not occur. In the thick mucus, conditionally pathogenic flora and specific genital infections multiply freely, which easily penetrate the internal reproductive organs.

With the onset of pregnancy in a woman's body, abrupt hormonal changes and a natural decrease in the body's resistance occur. This forms a focus of constant inflammation and creates a danger for bearing the fetus.

Many women become pregnant without knowing about the pathology. The question that arises in them is natural: if there is erosion of the cervix, is it dangerous for the child?

An increased load on the body of a pregnant woman can provoke:

  • inflammatory diseases and complications during gestation;
  • premature rupture of the placenta, termination of pregnancy and premature birth;
  • inelasticity of the neck and untimely opening during childbirth, which complicates their process and can be dangerous for the fetus;
  • organ ruptures;
  • the onset of purulent inflammation after the birth of a baby.

With timely conservative treatment and monitoring of the condition, a woman normally bears a child and childbirth takes place without pathologies. Subsequent treatment of cervical erosion after childbirth consists in monitoring the patient's condition and the use of radical treatment after cessation of lactation.

Consequences of neglected erosion

Long-term erosion is dangerous. Pathological process

combined with a decrease in immune defense against a background of prolonged stress, physical and nervous overload, endocrinological problems can cause:

  • degeneration of cells and the occurrence of dysplasia;
  • possible neoplasms in the vaginal cavity and cervical canal.

In a weakened body, it is easy:

  • the viruses of herpes and human papilloma, chlamydia are fixed, which can provoke benign neoplasms with the subsequent transition to their malignant form;
  • the neck ulcerates and bleeds (many experts consider this condition a precancerous form).



The only way to avoid such a process is a periodic (once every 6 months) visit to the gynecologist, careful implementation of recommendations, treatment of concomitant pathologies.

Erosion of the cervix: Is it so dangerous, and what doctors are silent about.
Let's discuss the question, what is cervical erosion? Is it really scary, or is it just another bending of the stick, a manifestation of overdiagnosis or medical illiteracy?

When a doctor examines you during a gynecological examination - in the mirrors, all he sees is redness of the outer surface of the cervix, often around the external os of the cervical canal. The area of ​​redness can be small, sometimes over the entire surface of the cervix ("large erosion!"), Symmetrically around the cervical canal, or away from the external pharynx.

There are more than twenty diseases that can look like redness to the naked eye.(red spot) the area of ​​the mucous membrane of the cervix, which an inexperienced or semi-literate doctor will call in one word - erosion.

Erosion of the cervix: types, diagnosis and treatment

True erosion of the cervix is ​​a defect in the integumentary epithelium (mucous membrane) as a result of exposure to chemicals (soap, medicines, acids and alkalis), injuries with tampons, diaphragms, intrauterine devices, and other foreign bodies, after instrumental or therapeutic interventions.

Such an area of ​​the cervix on examination will be edematous or loose, often bright red, with bleeding. A woman may complain of spotting or bleeding after intercourse.

In most cases, true cervical erosion goes away without treatment if the factor damaging the cervix is ​​not available for a sufficient period of time necessary for the erosion to heal.

Many doctors call erosion a whole group of diseases, such as ectropin, acute and chronic cervicitis, and other benign conditions of the cervix, which is a mistake.

Many nulliparous young women may have what is called ectopia rather than erosion. Some doctors call this condition ectropion. The term "ectopia" means not normal (anatomically) placement of something (organ, tissue, cells) within the body (organ). The term "ectropion" means an eversion from the inside out, that is, it characterizes the mechanism of occurrence of ectopia.

The inner lining of the cervical canal can extend beyond it at certain periods of a woman's life: during puberty, pregnancy, the use of hormonal contraceptives. Since this area of ​​the mucous membrane consists of only one layer of integumentary cells, the vessels visible through it give a bright red color to the area of ​​the mucous membrane of the cervix, where ectopia has occurred.

Doctors of the older generation call ectopia false erosion of the cervix, or pseudo-erosion. Treatment of pseudo-erosion, especially with surgical methods (cauterization, freezing, laser treatment) no need to carry out, with the exception of those rare cases when its presence is accompanied by discomfort and spotting.

Inflammatory processes of the cervix(colpitis, cervicitis) accompanied by redness of the cervical mucosa, which can also be mistaken for erosion... For example, viral cervicitis often occupies the entire surface of the cervix, making it bright red, friable, bleeding easily, which can create a false impression of "large and terrible erosion."

Therefore, when the diagnosis "cervical erosion" sounds, check with your doctor what he means by the concept of erosion. And if a doctor begins to tell you that you are a candidate for developing cervical cancer, do not be afraid to challenge this, often ridiculous and unfounded statement.

What should be done in this case?

Not a treatment, but first an examination, which consists of examining the cells of the damaged area of ​​the cervix (cytological smear) and examining the cervix under a special microscope (colposcope). Of course, it is necessary to exclude the inflammatory process, therefore, the study of the secretions and the identification of the causative agents of a number of genital infections in them is also important to carry out before any type of treatment.

Cervical erosion. Biopsy

Often I receive letters from women complaining that a biopsy, that is, the removal of tissues of the affected area of ​​the cervix, is carried out without the consent of the woman, including already pregnant women, often rudely, without warning about what unpleasant sensations a woman may experience during and after the biopsy.

In practice, few doctors take into account the fact that this type of examination cannot be carried out against the background of the inflammatory process of the vagina. And hardly any of the doctors warns a woman that after a biopsy she should avoid sexual intercourse for 7-10 days to prevent infection and additional trauma to the mucosal area from which the tissue was taken.

Yet again, I want to once again focus your attention on the fact that it is not necessary to conduct a biopsy of all women in a row, and you may be one of the women for whom this type of examination is not indicated, and may be contraindicated.

Why is a cytological examination of scrapings from the surface of the cervix and colposcopy carried out? To identify just that condition of the cervix, which may be precancerous, and is called cervical dysplasia.

The problem is that even the most "terrible" erosion may not be a precancerous condition at all, and at the same time, a healthy cervix may have areas of precancerous changes.

In order not to scare you with cancer, I will say with confidence that cervical cancer is a rare disease in all countries of the world, including Russia, Moldova and other former republics of the Soviet Union.

What does “rare disease” mean in terms of the prevalence (scale of damage) of cervical cancer? And if this is a rare disease, why do doctors scare women with it so much and rush to treat erosion immediately?

Each country has its own definition of "rare diseases", and most likely this definition has more to do with statistics than the disease itself, since statistics give us information about the prevalence of the disease.

If I tell you that there are about 13,000 cases of cervical cancer in the United States a year, you would say that this is a lot. In other words, this is a little more than 1000 per month, 250 per week, 35 per day and 1 case per hour for more than 300 million people of the population of this country. However, the incidence in the female population is one in 21,000 women.

If I tell you that 225,000 people die a year in the United States due to medical error (official data in 2000, according to the latest figures, these figures are even higher), then it turns out that medical error is much more dangerous than cervical cancer and other diseases.

WHO (World Health Organization) data from 2002 indicate that road traffic accidents account for 2% of all adult deaths. The data for the countries of the former Soviet Union are very inaccurate, underestimated, but look worse than the indicators of many other countries of the world.

Returning to the definition of rare diseases, it is considered rare that a disease is one case of which is diagnosed by an ordinary doctor (who does not specialize in this disease) no more than once a year when a doctor visits from 20,000 to 200,000 patients.

Thus, if you ask your doctor how often there have been diagnostically confirmed cases of cervical cancer in her practice, if your doctor does not work at an oncological dispensary, then the honest answer will sound: one case for one to three years.

I worked in the prevention department, where examinations of women were carried out regularly in order to identify many dangerous diseases, including cervical cancer. The office worked in two shifts, and 60 to 120 women were examined per day. Out of about 35,000 women that I had a chance to examine, cervical cancer was diagnosed in 3-4, no more.

The frequency of detection of cervical cancer by a doctor of antenatal clinics is even lower, since the influx of people at doctors of such institutions is less (mainly 5-15 people per day), and a large category of women consists of permanent patients. Therefore, the myths that are formed by the doctors themselves that almost every woman will develop cancer if erosion is not treated are highly exaggerated.

Returning to the different concepts of erosion, let us clarify once again that not every erosion of the cervix, or what doctors call erosion, is a precancerous condition of the cervix. The only common precancerous condition is cervical dysplasia, and only severe dysplasias (not all doctors attribute moderate dysplasia to precancerous conditions of the cervix).

Dysplasia is a laboratory diagnosis that characterizes the condition of the cells in the mucous membrane of the cervix. Against the background of the "eye-healthy" cervix, there may be areas of dysplasia. By the way, the term "dysplasia" has not been used in medicine for over 30 years.

It is important to note that not all dysplasias develop into cancer, so not all cases of dysplasias need to be treated. According to the depth of damage to the tissues of the cervix, dysplasias are divided into mild, moderate and severe.

According to the US National Program for the Early Detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer, abnormalities in cytological smears occur in 3.8% of cases (mild dysplasia - 2.9%, moderate and severe dysplasia - 0.8%, epithelial cancer - 0.1%).

There are no exact data for Russia and other post-Soviet countries, however, the level of detection of dysplasias in smears in these countries will not be significantly higher or lower, that is, on average, the indicators will be almost the same.

Unfortunately, only 1.5-6% of the total female population of most countries of the world (and even less in some) have a cytological smear taken.

For many women, the collection of such a smear is not carried out correctly, so the results are false-positive or false-negative. Nevertheless, 4% of the identified deviations from the norm for this number of surveyed women is a very low prevalence of abnormalities.

About 3% of deviations are mild dysplasia, which in almost 90% of cases go away without any treatment, and only in 10% of cases can progress to moderate or severe dysplasia.

Moderate dysplasia will self-heal in 70% of cases, but may progress to severe dysplasia in 20% of cases.

Severe dysplasia can result in complete recovery without treatment in 30% of cases, but in 12% of cases it can progress to cervical cancer.

These data have been obtained and rechecked by numerous long-term studies in a number of countries around the world. Therefore, the recommendations of doctors in relation to mild dysplasias are as follows: observation of women with repeated cytological examination every six months. You should understand that it takes at least 10 to 15 years to develop cancer, so there should be no rush in treating lung dysplasias.

If the main causative factor in the occurrence of erosion is trauma to the mucous membrane of the cervix, then many factors play a role in the occurrence of dysplasia: a large number of births, a deficiency of vitamins A, C and beta-carotene in the diet of women, prolonged (more than 5 years) use of hormonal contraceptives, immunodeficiency conditions, individual genetic predisposition to gynecological malignant processes, sexually transmitted infections, HPV infection (human papillomavirus), number of sexual partners (more than 3), smoking (active and passive), low social level, pattern of sexual behavior, early age of the first sexual intercourse (up to 16 years old) and others. These same factors are often involved in the occurrence of cervical cancer.

The only infectious agent that can cause the development of dysplasia and cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). Scientists have not found a connection between dysplasias and the presence of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus (types 6 and 8), diplococcus (the causative agent of gonorrhea) and chlamydia.

Women with mixed infection with human papillomavirus and herpesvirus (type 7) were more likely to have moderate to severe types of dysplasia.

If you have found changes in the cervix, what should be the next steps in diagnosing the condition of the cervix?

Ureaplasma and mycoplasma most often affect the urethra of a man, and are very safe for a woman. Each type of pathogen requires a different diagnostic method, so it is impossible to determine everything "at one time in one smear".

Another important examination method is the study of a cytological smear. If the smear does not show dysplasia, depending on the size of the cervical lesion, colposcopy can be performed, that is, to examine the surface of the cervix under magnification.

It is important that the results of cytology and colposcopy coincide, and not contradict each other. If the results contradict, then re-examination is carried out after three months.

Biopsy is done only if cervical cancer is suspected and in cases of severe dysplasia. Practically in all developed countries it is forbidden to carry out surgical treatment of the cervix(moxibustion, laser excision and evaporation, freezing), if the results of several examination methods do not match.

What are the current treatments for dysplasia in medicine?

Chemical moxibustion is a very popular treatment method in a number of countries, mainly in the former socialist camp. Relatively satisfactory results can be obtained only in the treatment of small lesions in area and depth, mainly mild dysplasia. For moderate to severe dysplasia, this treatment is not effective.

Modern surgical treatment consists mainly of three types: electric burn(diathermocoagulation), h freezing with liquid nitrogen(cryodestruction) and laser excision or vaporization.

Knife excision (conization) and removal of the cervix (amputation) are rarely used for strict indications.

Each method has its own pros and cons, but no advantages over each other. In the presence of a long-term current HPV infection, the best treatment results are observed with the use of laser vaporization and diathermocoagulation (cauterization).

Surgical treatment of the cervix is ​​best done in the first (follicular) phase of the menstrual cycle.

Under the influence of increasing levels of female sex hormones (estrogens), the cervical epithelium grows, which promotes the healing process. Surgical treatment of the cervix has many contraindications and complications that your doctor should discuss with you before the operation.

How often are the side effects and complications of any treatment discussed with you?

If not often, then do not forget to ask your doctor about this. The main contraindications for surgical treatment of the cervix are as follows: pregnancy, lack of skills in performing an operation with a doctor, discrepancy between examination results by different methods, the presence of an active infectious process in the vagina and uterine appendages, the size of the affected area is beyond the technical possibilities of treatment, suspicion of cervical cancer, and a number of others.

The doctor should also warn you about some of the unpleasant symptoms that you may experience after treatment.

These symptoms are: pulling pain in the lower abdomen in the first 1-2 days after the procedure, vaginal discharge with or without smell for 2-4 weeks.

You can use pain relievers to relieve pain. You should not lift weights during the entire recovery period (at least 4 weeks), as well as use tampons, douche and have sexual intercourse, as all this provokes trauma with subsequent bleeding and infectious processes of the cervix.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is not justified and should therefore not be used. Some doctors prescribe hormonal contraceptives to artificially delay menstruation, which is supposedly the prevention of cervical endometriosis, but studies have shown that this type of prevention is not effective, and hormonal drugs should not be prescribed for this purpose.

When can a pregnancy be planned in such cases?

The period of abstinence from pregnancy depends on the speed of healing of the postoperative wound, that is, on the speed of restoration of the normal mucous membrane of the cervix. It usually takes 6 (60% of cases) to 10 (90% of cases) weeks to heal.

The cytological smear returns to normal within 3-4 months. In 10% of women, the healing process takes up to 6 months. Therefore, hasty conclusions about whether your treatment was successful or not should not be made at least six months from the date of surgical treatment.

Now let's talk about the complications of surgical treatment, which most doctors usually keep silent about.(either they don't know, or they don't care about your future, especially with regard to pregnancies).

Complications of surgical treatment of precancerous conditions of the cervix are as follows:

  • Infertility due to narrowing of the cervical canal, decreased production of cervical mucus, functional inferiority of the cervix and secondary tubal dysfunction due to ascending infection
  • Formation of cervical scarring and its deformation
  • Cancer due to incomplete or inaccurate examination
  • Menstrual dysfunction
  • Exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system
  • Premature birth and premature rupture of membranes(a significant risk of this complication is observed after diathermoelectrocoagulation, that is, cauterization with electric current and cryodestruction, therefore, the doctor should seriously approach the choice of treatment for women of reproductive age, especially women who have not given birth, in whom surgical treatment may be delayed for a certain period of time).

Thus, if you have not given birth and / or are planning a pregnancy, if any changes are found on your cervix, find out and clarify with the help of a number of diagnostic methods of examination whether these changes are precancerous or not. If it is dysplasia, specify the degree.

If this mild dysplasia, you can safely get pregnant or be re-examined in 3-6 months. If you have moderate dysplasia, repeat the cytological smear and colposcopy after 3 months. And if you have severe dysplasia, talk with your doctor about one of the treatments, taking into account the fact that you are planning a pregnancy in the future.

Important: All information provided on the Greatpicture website is for INFORMATION only and does not replace advice, diagnosis or professional medical attention. If you have any health problems, contact your specialist immediately.