1. Practice Responsible Sexual Behavior
By far most cases of cervicitis are caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are almost entirely preventable by practicing safe sex, which means using a condom 100 percent of the time. Beyond that, it's wise to limit your sexual partners or engage only in monogamous sexual relationships. Even so, you should make sure your partner has been tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and get yourself tested on a regular basis as well.
2. Avoid Allergens and Chemical Irritants
The next most common cause of cervicitis besides STDs is allergic reactions to chemical irritants or allergens. If you have cervicitis that is not linked to an STD, you probably have some type of sensitivity to spermicide, latex or another chemical introduced to your vagina. It's best to stay away from douches, deodorant tampons and spermicides. If you are allergic to latex, there are non-latex condoms you can use instead. If you use a spermicide jelly along with a barrier method of birth control, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying another type of birth control such as hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control and barrier methods will not prevent STDs, however. Only condoms are reliable prevention for STDs.
3. See Your Gynecologist Regularly and When Needed
Yearly visits to your gynecologist can help prevent cervicitis because you may have an STD and not even know it. Many STDs often start off as asymptomatic. Regular STD screening can get you treatment before the disease progresses to cervicitis. Yearly Pap smears can also detect any problems with your cervix early on.
Additionally, you should schedule a visit with your gynecologist at the first sign of a problem. Untreated infections can quickly spread to your cervix and cause cervicitis. Some cases of cervicitis produce few symptoms or only mild symptoms but can cause serious damage to your cervix if allowed to continue.
