Cervical ectropion
Ectropion of the cervix is a defect of the vaginal cavity, in which the mucosa is inverted. The cervical canal has an unnatural appearance, turned outwards. Symptoms with ectropion may not manifest in any way. But sometimes, in the presence of infection, white discharge, painful menstruation, cycle changes, pelvic pain syndrome are noted. Ectropion diagnosis takes place at the first stage during gynecological examination, the subsequent one is colposcopy, cytological and morphological type studies. Cervical ectropion, the treatment of which is based on cryodestruction, laser vaporization, is very easily curable at the initial stage of the disease. With complicated ectropion, conization and excision of the uterus are indicated.
The content of the article:
What is cervical ectropion?
Causes of the eroded ectropion of the cervix
Symptoms of cervical ectropion
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment of cervical ectropion
Prognosis and prevention of the disease
Cervical ectropion
What is cervical ectropion?
This disease is one of the clinical manifestations of ectopia of the uterus of a complicated form. It is both a deformity in the form of a scar and a pseudoerosion of the uterus, while localized in the lower segment. Ectropion may be a congenital pathology of the uterus, or it may be an acquired disease due to damage to the genitals.
The cervical canal with a mucous membrane inside is covered with a cylindrical epithelium, which differs from the inner epithelium of the vagina itself. The cylindrical epithelium, in turn, has glands that produce secretions. The development of ectropion leads to a violation of the segment line between the epithelium, which disrupts the balance of the mucosa. So the conditionally pathogenic flora increases, the balance of the functioning of the glands and secretions is disturbed. The cervix becomes more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
With ectropion, there is contact of the epithelium of the vagina, its mucosa, and the cervical canal, which leads to the emergence of infectious diseases. The disease can occur together with endometritis, cervicitis, endocervicitis. There may also be other abnormal damage to the uterus: erosion and ectropion of the cervix, leukoplakia, atrophy of the cervical canal, in some cases — cervical cancer.
Causes of the eroded ectropion of the cervix
The causes of mucosal damage are attributed to post-traumatic signs. Surgical interventions, termination of unwanted pregnancy through surgical abortion; birth injuries, cervical ruptures — all these are the main factors that favor the appearance of ectropion. Deformation of the internal genitalia and their subsequent healing leads to tissue hypoxia, in some cases — atrophy. A change in the internal state of the cervical canal leads to the eversion of the vaginal mucosa outward.
The causes of congenital pathology of the cervix may be hormonal disorders of the body.
Symptoms of cervical ectropion
The symptoms of uterine disease often do not have a clinic and do not manifest themselves in any way in the daily life of the patient. If there is an infection inside the mucosa, white discharge, spotting, pain in the sacrum and lower abdomen may occur, and there is also a change in the nature of discharge during menstruation.
Diagnosis of the disease
For the diagnosis, a primary examination on a gynecological chair, colposcopy, the results of cytological and histological analyses are used.
During the examination, the gynecologist reveals a deformity of the uterus, in which the mucous membrane is turned into the vaginal area, tissue transformations in the area of injury to the genitals. For a complete compilation of the clinic, it is necessary to conduct PCR studies, bacteriological and bacterioscopic analyses.
One of the mandatory diagnostic methods is colposcopy of the extended type. Thanks to this study, to assess the nature of epithelial damage, the presence of complications (infections), the location of mucosal folds. The folds do not have a clear shape with the acquired form of ectropion and are placed the same way with a congenital anomaly. The presence of chaos of folds is an indicator for biopsy and histological analysis.
Diagnosis of the disease of congenital pathology of the cervix includes conducting a study of the hormonal background of the patient’s body and identifying disorders of the endocrine system.
Treatment of cervical ectropion
Treatment of cervical ectopia of the cervix depends on the age of the patient, the condition and nature of the disease, the results of tests, changes in the histology and cytology of the uterus. The general method of treatment is based on:
destruction of the damaged epithelium and its complete removal;
regression of the inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa;
the medical process of healing the reproductive system;
correction of hormonal imbalance;
functional progress of the barrier properties of the uterus;
prevention of ectropion development.
Destructive and surgical methods are used for treatment.
Destructive methods are used in the uncomplicated form of ectropion, in the presence of a slight deformation of the cervix.
These include:
cryodestruction;
laser vaporization;
diathermocoagulation.
Surgical methods of treatment allow you to completely remove the ectropion and conduct further research. These methods of treatment include:
excision of the cervix;
coonization using radio waves.
Treatment of the congenital form of ectropion is based on cryodestruction. In the absence of positive dynamics in the treatment, surgical interventions are used.
The eroded ectropion of the cervix of a complicated and precancerous form requires radioconidation, as well as radioexcision. When using such methods of treatment, a partial removal of the cervical canal and deformed tissue zones of the genitals occurs.
If there is a deformed area of the vaginal area, the patient’s genitals may need additional plastic surgery.
Treatment of ectropion also involves the use of medications. Medication treatment includes taking antiviral and antibacterial drugs, as well as hormone therapy.
Rehabilitation after surgery takes about a month and a half. During this period, physical activity, douching and the use of tampons are contraindicated. It is also worth refusing to visit places such as a sauna, a steam bath, a swimming pool. At home, prefer a shower to a bath, at a temperature of no more than 37 degrees C.
Prognosis and prevention of the disease
The prognosis for ectropion is quite favorable, regardless of the form of the disease, as well as the method of treatment.
Preventive measures aimed at avoiding the development of the disease consist in the adequate conduct of sexual life, the use of contraception, selected in accordance with the individual characteristics of the woman’s body.
When preparing for childbirth, pregnant women should take special courses where they talk about proper breathing, body position and general system rules necessary for a favorable delivery.
Mandatory preventive measures are visits to a gynecologist annually. Patients who have had a history of ectropion in the past should be examined every 6 months.
Endocrine disorders and hormonal disruptions in the body should be monitored by an endocrinologist, as well as an endocrinologist gynecologist for early detection of the disease.
