Erosion of the cervix in pregnancy

Unfortunately, cervical erosion during pregnancy is often found. This happens because the latent course of erosion does not allow a woman to suspect a bad thing and consult a doctor before pregnancy. A thorough examination of a pregnant woman by a gynecologist leads to the fact that various pathologies of the cervix and other parts of the genital area can be detected.

What to do in this situation? How does erosion affect pregnancy? Do I need to treat it now or wait for the baby to be born? A lot of questions, is not it? We will try to answer some of them today.

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of erosion of the cervix in pregnancy

It is extremely important to take into account the causes of cervical erosion during pregnancy, so that the treatment process with the disease is maximally effective, with elimination of the main provoking factor that caused pathology. Doctors stop on the following number of possible causes of the disease:

• abrupt changes in the balance of hormones in the body of a woman;
• diseases caused by a sexually transmitted infection (papillomatosis, gonorrhea, ureaplasma, chlamydia, urogenital trichomonas, genital herpes);
• long-term use of hormone-containing medications even before conception (including contraceptives);
• too early onset of sexual activity;
• repeated artificial abortions of pregnancy;
• inflammatory diseases in the genital area;
• low hormonal level in the body;
• oncology of the reproductive system;
• a sharp decrease in immune defense;
• too frequent and gross sexual contacts;
• physical or chemical trauma of mucous membranes (illiterate syringing, incorrect spiral placement, rough sexual contact with the use of a condom or dildo);
• frequent and deep stresses, experiences.

[4], [5], [6], [7]

Symptoms of cervical erosion in pregnancy

The main cause of late detection of erosion is its latent course: the disease often occurs without any symptoms, and is detected accidentally during a planned or preventive visit to the doctor. Often, the symptoms of cervical erosion manifest themselves only with the onset of pregnancy, when the disease is aggravated by an increasing level of hormones in the body. It is during this period, most often, and there are some suspicious symptoms that make a woman prick up and go to the doctor:

• the vaginal discharge from sexual intercourse;
• pain and discomfort during sexual contact;
• appearance of purulent or mucous discharge;
• sensation of itching and burning in the vagina;
• pain in the lower abdomen.

These signs are not specific for erosion, but they allow you to suspect the presence of any disease and contact the doctor. Confirm the same diagnosis of erosion is possible only after the examination of the patient.

Diagnosis of cervical erosion in pregnancy

Methods for diagnosis of cervical erosion during pregnancy are determined by a doctor.

One of the first and most significant procedures is the examination of the cervix in the mirrors. At the given inspection it is possible to find out a precise defect of an epithelium which has a kind of outlined red maculae of a various area.

In order to determine the density of the affected tissue, a Krobak test is performed - probing of the erosive tissue.

The next step is laboratory research. As a rule, the doctor takes a smear directly from erosion and from the cervical canal, followed by cytology of the smear, including bacterioscopic and bacteriological analysis.

The final diagnosis helps to establish colposcopic examination. The doctor should see a clearly defined damage to the cervical epithelium with a visible stroma zone. True erosion is characterized by a low level of the bottom - it must be in a layer of cylindrical or flat multilayered epithelium. To clarify the diagnosis, a test is performed using 3% of the acetic solution: it is applied to the erosion site, the bottom should turn pale.

If there is a suspicion of a malignant process, the doctor takes a piece of erosive tissue for a biopsy (to detect atypical cells in the tissue).

It should be understood that only an integrated approach to diagnosis will help to later determine the necessary and effective treatment regimen.

[8], [9]

Treatment of cervical erosion in pregnancy

Treatment of cervical erosion during pregnancy requires a special approach. Such common methods of erosion therapy, such as cryodestruction, laser therapy and diathermocoagulation can be carried out after the birth. And during gestation apply only sparing and supporting therapy.

Treatment should be as cautious as possible, aimed primarily at inhibiting the erosive process and preventing the development of an inflammatory reaction.

The use of drug treatment is complicated by the fact that not all medications can be used during the period of gestation. Therefore, many experts, in the absence of complications, prefer to simply observe the erosion and control its development right up to the very birth.

If a woman experiences discomfort, a burning sensation, she is troubled by discharge (especially bloody), then the doctor can prescribe the following drugs:

• - methyluracil (vaginal suppositories) - twice a day (morning and night) for 10-14 days;
• - suppository with sea-buckthorn (sea buckthorn oil) - from one to 2 times a day for 8-15 days;
• - at joining of an inflammation - antiviral agents and antibiotics in an individual order and depending on results bapsoseva.

Some women prefer to turn to alternative medicine, but the vast majority of traditional medicine specialists do not welcome such treatment, especially during pregnancy. Alternative therapies usually include the use of phytomages, tampons, douching. As a basis, pumpkin pulp, celandine grass, aloe juice, decoctions of oak bark, calendula, chamomile, propolis, natural honey and mummies are used. Do not recommend the use of alternative treatments for pregnancy, without consulting with a specialist!

Prevention of cervical erosion in pregnancy

Prevention of erosion of the cervix during pregnancy is very urgent, because it is much easier to prevent the disease than to treat it. In order to reduce the risk of the disease, one should follow simple and accessible rules:

• pass preventive examinations of the gynecologist at least once or twice a year, for the timely detection and treatment of the problem;
• observe the rules of personal hygiene - take a shower every day and put on clean clothes, change hygienic means during menstruation in time;
• it is desirable to have one permanent sexual partner;
• if you are in for a sexual relationship, do not forget to use condoms;
• if in your plans there is no pregnancy, use protection measures, since any artificial termination of pregnancy represents a significant trauma for the genitals and the whole organism;
• should promptly treat any inflammatory diseases of the genital area.

And more: for any suspicious symptom (discomfort, discharge, burning sensation, pulling pain), it is necessary to see the doctor. This applies to all women without exception, including pregnant women.

Prognosis of cervical erosion in pregnancy

Why many doctors do not advise to become pregnant with untreated cervical erosion? What can be the prognosis of cervical erosion during pregnancy?

The fact is that erosion increases the danger of the formation of such complications in the process of gestation, like spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), premature birth, early rupture of the placenta and premature passage of amniotic fluid.

The rupture of erosion-damaged tissues during labor can occur with a much greater probability than with a healthy cervix.

Erosion can become a source of infectious and purulent complications in the postpartum period.

Of course, we can not always expect a negative forecast. Regular control and preventive conservative treatment of the disease allow many women to fully report the pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child. Therefore, cervical erosion during pregnancy is allowed, although it requires constant medical supervision.

Pregnancy after cervical erosion

Is pregnancy possible after cervical erosion? Of course, it is possible: the theory of possible infertility after cauterization of erosion has not been confirmed. So before planning a pregnancy, it is very important to undergo a full course of therapy. Of course, erosion by itself can not affect conception in any way, but in the presence of an erosive surface, an ideal environment for growth and reproduction of pathogens is created, which in turn can trigger various inflammatory diseases.

Usually, if there are no complications, and the healing process proceeds normally, one month after the treatment it is possible to plan pregnancy. If the erosion treatment proceeded with complications, or the erosive surface was significant, conception would have to be postponed to six months, depending on the doctor's decision.

If the erosion is not treated, the consequences for pregnancy can be negative:

• inflammatory diseases of the genital organs;
• spontaneous termination of pregnancy;
• malignancy of the erosive process;
• premature delivery;
• premature rupture of the bladder.

Doctors agree that the erosion of the cervix before pregnancy should be cured, if not surgically, then a conservative method. If the disease is found already in the process of gestation, then the treatment is recommended to be postponed to the postpartum period, without, however, stopping to observe erosion. Since there is a danger of the transition of erosion into a malignant disease, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist regularly during pregnancy.

Compulsory treatment, even in pregnancy, is subject to large erosion, or the erosion that has already inflamed.