What Is Cervical Erosion And How Worried Need You Be?

Cervical erosion (or cervical ectropian) can be a scary sounding condition, where the squamous epithelial cells grow out of the cervical wall.

This is actually a normal condition, where there is the appearance of erosion in the cervical area, the appearance of inflammation, reddening, and seeming infection.

Though the term implies erosion there is no actual erosion. There may be the appearance of ulceration only if there is a malignancy.

Generally speaking there are few actual symptoms of cervical erosion. Some women though experience unusual bleeding from the cervical area – this is bleeding other than menstrual bleeding, it can be between periods or after having had sexual intercourse.

A red velvety or raw looking area can appear in the cervical area. A clear or a yellowish discharge which is usually odorless may also be noted.

The causes of cervical erosion usually have to do with certain different types of trauma. Sexual intercourse could be responsible or it could be the insertion of gynecological instruments such as the speculum or other objects into the vagina.

Uses of tampons are a possible cause too, particularly when one forgets to remove it leading to infection and cervical erosion. Certain sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and herpes can also cause this condition. Douches, contraceptive creams and foams can also be a cause because of their chemical composition.

As for the treatment of cervical erosion, it can often resolve without treatment. In the presence of an infection, antibiotics would have to be prescribed. In the case of trauma being the cause, one would have to avoid the source of the trauma and give time for it to heal.

At times, cauterization may be required to treat cervical erosion. Sometimes the treatment could include the application of topical estrogen creams to help thicken the cervix’s outer surface.

The reason that cervical erosion still causes consternation among people is that the appearance of the condition can be scary as can the implication of the term ‘erosion’.

Also it was thought that cervical erosion can lead to cancer of the cervix. This however has been noted to be false; that the condition is usually fully benign and is not seen to be a cause for cervical cancer.

The condition is seen to be occurring very commonly among women and is not cause for worry for the most part. If the symptoms of the condition are troublesome, then treatment may be sought; otherwise it is seen to resolve itself without further trouble.