How is cervicitis treated?

Cervicitis is commonly seen in women of childbearing age and results from cervical injury and pathogen invasion. It is classified into acute and chronic forms, with the chronic form being more prevalent. Acute cervicitis is characterized primarily by cervical erythema and edema, as well as edema of the endocervical mucosa, often accompanied by acute vaginitis or acute endometritis. Chronic cervicitis manifests in various ways, including cervical erosion (ectropion), cervical hypertrophy, cervical polyps, cervical glandular cysts (Nabothian cysts), and cervical eversion.

Chronic cervicitis is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer; therefore, active treatment and regular cervical cancer screening are essential. Acute cervicitis is primarily treated with antibiotics, emphasizing systemic therapy to ensure complete eradication of infection and prevent progression to chronic cervicitis. In contrast, chronic cervicitis is mainly managed with local treatments. For persistent endocervical mucositis, it is crucial to assess whether reinfection with *Chlamydia trachomatis* or *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* is present and whether the patient’s sexual partner(s) have received appropriate treatment; etiology-directed therapy should then be administered accordingly.

In cases where the causative pathogen remains unidentified, no definitive treatment exists; however, physical modalities may be attempted—provided that cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer have first been excluded through appropriate screening. For severe cervical erosion or cases refractory to conventional treatment, cervical conization may be considered. Cervical polyps are managed by polypectomy, with excised specimens sent for histopathological examination. Cervical hypertrophy typically requires no specific treatment.