1. Medication to Treat Underlying Infection
Infection is the number one cause of cervicitis. Infections can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as non-sexually transmitted infections. The STDs that cause cervicitis fall into two categories--bacterial and viral. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis are there three most common bacterial STDs that cause cervicitis. These are all treated successfully with antibiotics. Some bacterial STDs, however, have become resistant to certain antibiotics like penicillin. In cases of resistant strains, more than one course of antibiotics may be needed.
Viral STDs like human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes also cause cervicitis. HPV usually runs its course without medical intervention, but herpes does not. In fact, herpes is a chronic condition of which there is no cure. It can be managed with antiviral medication, however. If herpes is the cause of your cervicitis, the antiviral medication can help treat the outbreak and reduce future outbreaks.
2. Surgical Options for Chronic Cervicitis
Cervicitis causes abnormal cells to accumulate on the cervix. In some cases, medication is not enough to make these cells go away and you can have chronic episodes of cervicitis. In these cases, surgical intervention may be indicated. There are three types of cervicitis surgery--cryosurgery, electrocauterization and laser surgery. All three of these surgeries destroy the abnormal cells on the cervix so that new, normal cells can grow back in their place. Cryosurgery, also called cold cautery, freezes the cells. Electrocauterization, also called heat cautery, burns the cells using an electric current. Laser surgery removes the cells using a laser. These surgeries are performed infrequently because they can lead to complications such as closing of the cervix and weakness of the cervix. These complications can affect fertility and the ability to carry a child to term respectively.
3. Managing Sexual Behaviors
When treating cervicitis, it's important to abstain from sexual intercourse until the cervix is completely healed. When sexual intercourse is resumed, you should take all necessary steps to prevent infection with an STD. These steps include using a condom 100 percent of the time, limiting sexual intercourse to monogamous relationships and getting regular STD screening for you and your partner. Exposure to an STD can cause a recurrence of cervicitis.
