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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of cervicitis from STDs is to practice safer sex. Women who become sexually active at a later age and those in monogamous relationships are at a lower risk of getting cervicitis than are those who become sexually active early in life and who have multiple partners.

Using a latex condom during intercourse reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections. However, some women have allergies to latex condoms or to spermicidal jelly, which is used with condoms to prevent pregnancy. If you're allergic to latex, you'll need to use a nonlatex condom or another method of birth control. No other birth control method besides condoms protects against STDs.

References
  1. 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.
  2. Marrazzo J. Cervicitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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Nov. 10, 2009

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