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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Two types of cells line your cervix: flat, skin-like cells (squamous cells) and glandular cells that secrete mucus. The same organisms responsible for vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina, can cause cervicitis.
Your cervix acts as a barrier to keep bacteria and viruses that come in contact with your vagina from entering your uterus. However, when bacteria and viruses infect the cervix, they cause inflammation and may increase the risk that the infection will travel into your uterus.
Possible causes of cervicitis include:
- Sexually transmitted infections. Most often, the bacterial and viral infections that cause cervicitis are transmitted by sexual contact. Cervicitis can result from infection with common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital herpes. There's no evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV), another common sexually transmitted infection, causes cervicitis.
- Allergic reactions. An allergy, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, may lead to cervicitis.
- Bacterial overgrowth. An overgrowth of bacteria that normally appear in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis) also can lead to cervicitis.
- McCormack WM. Vulvovaginitis and cervicitis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's: Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/161833431-5/0/1259/794.html?tocnode=51379230&fromURL=794.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Marrazzo J. Cervicitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Eckert LO, et al. Infections of the lower genital tract: Vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/161833431-5/0/1524/147.html?tocnode=53759472&fromURL=147.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009
- Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006: Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
- Marrazzo J. Cervicitis. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3025026. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
