Hyperkeratosis of the cervix

Many doctors consider this pathology to be a precancerous condition of the cervix. Leukoplakia or hyperkeratosis of the cervix are two names for the same disease, which is a hardening of the epithelium of the organ.

ICD-10 code

In world medicine, there is a so-called registry of diseases - "International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision" (ICD code 10). In it, the changes in the physiology of the uterus that interest us have their own coding and can be designated by an individual code - N88.0, which is called - leukoplakia of the cervix.

Causes of cervical hyperkeratosis

Today, doctors are ready to identify several sources that can lead to the pathology discussed in this article. The causes of cervical hyperkeratosis can be as follows:

• Neglect of personal hygiene rules.
• Changes in hormonal levels.
• Disruption of the endocrine system.
• Promiscuity in sexual relations, commitment to rough sex.
• Cervical cancer accounts for almost a third of cases.
• An infectious lesion of the female reproductive system. This could be, for example, the papillomavirus.
• Bacterial trace of infection. For example, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others.
• Decreased immune status of a woman.
• Trauma. For example, birth trauma, the healing of the consequences of which took place without the supervision of specialists.
• An inflammatory process occurring in the pelvic organs.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Incorrect fixation of contraceptive means. For example, an IUD.
• An abortion, and perhaps more than one. The organ suffers mechanical trauma.

But it is worth remembering that the mechanism itself and the direct relationship with the above reasons have not been fully established to date. But if a woman has at least one of these factors, she needs to be more attentive to her health, recording the appearance of new symptoms. An appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist is mandatory.

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Pathogenesis

In order to treat a particular disease most effectively, it is necessary to know not only the cause that caused it, but also the pathogenesis of the disease. In this case, the pathology progresses against the background of a mild chronic inflammatory process. Constant irritation of the mucous membrane causes those negative changes that lead to the disease. The probability of transformation into malignant structures is especially high if there is uneven coloring of the affected area.

Symptoms of cervical hyperkeratosis

At an early stage of the disease, a woman may not even suspect that she has this lesion, since the disease initially does not manifest itself in any way. Only a specialist can detect it at this time during a routine gynecological examination. Symptoms of cervical hyperkeratosis are seen by the doctor as white plaques on the ectocervix.

If these signs are not so obvious, the patient is sent for a colposcopy, after which the obstetrician-gynecologist will give a conclusion. However, sometimes this examination method alone is not enough and then there is a need for a more extensive examination of the patient.

In some cases, a representative of the weaker half of humanity may feel an increased discharge of leucorrhoea from the vagina. Mostly, this is a translucent liquid that has a not very pleasant smell.

After sexual intercourse, a woman may notice small amounts of blood discharge.

First signs

As already noted above, hyperkeratosis of the cervix does not have any pronounced symptoms for its owner. But the first signs that should still alert her and make her visit her gynecologist are an increase in the volume of leucorrhoea coming out of the vagina and the unpleasant odor inherent in it.

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Minor hyperkeratosis of the cervix

If pathological changes have covered a small area of the mucous membrane - minor hyperkeratosis of the cervix, then you should not worry too much, such a pathology is not dangerous.

It is especially necessary to be on guard for those women who are in the premenopausal or pre-climacteric period. Cases of mucosal lesions in young women are rarer.

Focal hyperkeratosis of the cervix

True focal hyperkeratosis of the cervix is a serious deficiency of female and a significant predominance of other, including male, sex hormones. The name of this pathology is explained by the clear boundaries of the pathological foci. These foci are flat whitish spots with a slightly matte sheen. This type of epithelial layer disorder is also called pseudo-erosion.

Parakeratosis is one of the varieties of this disease, which occurs singly. The main reason for its manifestation can be trauma, especially dangerous is trauma to the female genitals during childbirth, mainly if further healing took place without specialist monitoring. In this situation, the body reduces the production of keratohyalin, which is responsible for the parameters of the elasticity of the mucous membrane. Visually, this is perceived as a hotbed of scorched and cracked desert.

But oncologists consider dyskeratosis to be the most dangerous in terms of degeneration. With this type of disorder, the cells of the epithelial layer begin to divide chaotically and at an increased rate, which leads to the appearance and growth of neoplasms.

This type of focal hyperkeratosis of the cervix visually resembles cauliflower growing on the mucous membrane. During a series of studies (including histology), doctors find a granular internal structure of these growths, covered on top by a slightly excessive outer layer. Due to the fact that the process of exfoliation of keratinized cells is disrupted, they begin to form layer after layer and in advanced cases, these conglomerates reach impressive sizes. A final diagnosis can only be determined after a comprehensive examination of the patient.

Hyperkeratosis of the cervix during pregnancy

From the moment a woman begins to carry a fetus under her heart until the moment of its birth, any mother is very worried about her health, afraid of harming her baby.

Therefore, if a woman was diagnosed with cervical hyperkeratosis during pregnancy, she naturally panics.

But only a qualified specialist can answer the question of whether this disease is dangerous or not after conducting a package of all necessary examinations. In case of minor violations, the woman in labor should not worry. Such pathology will not affect the course of pregnancy and obstetrics. And only after the baby is born, the attending physician will deal with the woman's problem.

But if the disease is a more severe form of pathology, then only a doctor can decide on further measures to stop it.

Consequences

If the pathology is recognized at an early stage and adequate measures for such a disease are taken, then the consequences of its manifestation are minimal and will have practically no effect on the quality of life of the woman and her desire to conceive, carry and give birth to a baby, fulfilling her duty to nature.

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Complications

If the disease is diagnosed at a later stage, complications are possible. And one of the most dangerous is the degeneration of healthy epithelial cells into cancerous neoplasms. In this case, the process of their division is generally accelerated and occurs absolutely chaotically.

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Diagnosis of cervical hyperkeratosis

A suspicion of the presence of pathology may creep into the specialist's mind during the woman's next visit to the doctor - gynecologist. Diagnosis of hyperkeratosis of the cervix is carried out according to certain rules.

1. This is a visual examination of a woman on a chair using a gynecological mirror. The gynecologist may notice a whitish spot on the cervix.
2. Collecting the patient's anamnesis:
   • Diseases.
   • Childbirth.
   • Abortions.
   • Heredity.
3. Conducting a colposcopy. Taking material in the form of a cytological scraping.
4. Ultrasound examination.
5. Conducting the necessary laboratory tests.
6. If necessary, the doctor prescribes an X-ray (to determine concomitant diseases).

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Tests

The first thing that is prescribed to a patient with a suspected disease discussed in this article is tests carried out in laboratory conditions.

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly informative and accurate method of molecular genetic diagnostics. Its implementation makes it possible to identify various infectious and hereditary pathologies, both acute and chronic.
• PAP test, or as medical professionals call it, a Pap smear. This is a cytological analysis, the material for which is a smear obtained during a routine gynecological examination. The sample is sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope. If atypical cells are detected, the woman is prescribed additional examination.
• Bacteriological culture of leucorrhoea for flora.
• Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). The material taken (smear) is sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If HPV is detected, its type is determined.
• A biopsy is performed. During colposcopy, a small sample of cervical tissue is pinched off with a special instrument. This is what is examined in the laboratory under high-resolution microscope. The presence of dysplasia and the severity of its development are assessed.

And also, without fail, a woman must submit:

• General and biochemical blood tests.
• Blood test for thyroid and adrenal cortex hormone levels.
• General and biochemical urine analysis.
• Blood to determine blood type and Rh factor.
• Determination of the level of sex hormones in urine and blood.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Today it is difficult to imagine modern medicine without the help of diagnostic medical equipment. Instrumental diagnostics has taken a strong place in the issue of correct and quick diagnosis. The disease we are interested in can be recognized by a number of medical methods. The most popular are:

• Colposcopy.
• Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.
• Hysteroscopy with targeted biopsy of the organ in question to determine atylia.
• X-ray of the pelvic area. Allows to assess the condition of the hip bone structures, rejecting or confirming concomitant diseases.

Differential diagnostics

After the patient has undergone all the necessary examinations, the attending physician conducts differential diagnostics. This is an analysis of all the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, a visual examination and the patient's medical history. Based on this, diseases that are similar in symptoms but not confirmed by research are excluded.

This analysis allows for a more correct diagnosis of the disease, as well as to determine what stage of destruction it is at. Only having received the entire clinical picture of the pathology can we talk about the appointment of effective treatment, as well as preventive measures that can maintain the patient's body within the framework of remission.

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Treatment of hyperkeratosis of the cervix

Once the examination has been conducted and the diagnosis has been made, the treatment of cervical hyperkeratosis depends on the severity of the pathology. In most cases, this is surgical treatment of the patient. After such therapy, in most cases, patients subsequently have a favorable prognosis.

The doctor's choice of the most effective treatment method is based on a number of factors:

• Age of the woman.
• The status of her reproductive system: whether the woman has given birth or not, and whether she plans to do so in the future or not.

If the patient has not yet gone beyond the limits of reproductive capacity and does not remove the question of having children in the future, then more gentle methods of influence are applied to her:

• This could be laser vaporization. The essence of the method is in strong heating of pathological cells by a laser beam, which leads to their necrosis, i.e. death.
• Cryodestruction is the opposite of the previous action. The process of burning mutated tissues with low temperatures created by liquid nitrogen.
• Radiosurgical treatment.
• It is possible to cauterize pathological zones with solkovagin. The use of this drug will prevent the formation of scars.
• Electrosurgical methods are the most traumatic, but also cheaper type of therapy. It is usually prescribed to women who no longer plan to give birth in the future or are in the pre-menopausal period.

In addition, such a woman, depending on the cause of the pathology, needs to undergo immunostimulating, hormonal, antiviral, antifungal or antibacterial therapy.

If signs of malignancy were revealed during the examination, the methods of treating cervical hyperkeratosis change dramatically. After symptomatic therapy, the patient is prescribed surgical excision of the pathological area.

Medicines

Depending on the source that provoked the disease in question, the patient's treatment protocol may include medications with anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral or immunostimulating effects. If the woman has undergone surgery, antibiotics are also prescribed.

For example, with a minor level of pathology, a woman may be prescribed vaginal suppositories that have antibacterial, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties - neo-penotran, as well as its analogues: metromicon-neo, metrogyl, vagilak, epigen, labilak, mikozhinaks, ketoconazole, nimesin, ichthyol and others.

Metromicon-Neo is used twice a day: in the morning and in the evening (immediately before bedtime). One vaginal suppository is inserted. The duration of the treatment course is prescribed by the doctor and can range from one to two weeks.

In this case, the suppository, in a lying position and with your legs bent at the knees, must be inserted deeply into the vagina. In order to avoid "infection", before the procedure, hands must be sanitized or a special disposable fingertip must be used.

Contraindications for the administration of metromicon-neo include increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug, as well as a history of severe liver dysfunction, hematopoiesis failure, problems with the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system, and the first trimester of pregnancy.

The following may be prescribed as anti-inflammatory drugs: Melox, Oruvel, Advil, Dexalgin, Ncrofen, Kntorol, Ketonal, Brustan, Menindol, Arcxian, Rapten Rapid, Naproxen, Dolac and many others. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are more acceptable.

The pharmacological drug Melox is recommended to be taken with food in a daily dosage of 7.5 to 15 mg.

At the same time, the attending physician must not forget that if the patient has kidney problems, the administered dose should be minimal.

Melox is not permitted for use in cases of increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug, as well as if a woman has a history of ulcerative exacerbation of the stomach and duodenum, hyperkalemia, bronchial asthma, internal intestinal bleeding, severe liver dysfunction, as well as the period of bearing a child and breastfeeding.

Antiviral drugs may be prescribed: Provirsan, Videx, Herpesin, Retrovir, Tamiflu, Arviron, Zerit, Viracept, Ribaleg, Liracept, Cyclovir and others.

It is advisable to take Ribaleg with food. In this case, the tolerability of the drug will be high.

The starting dosage is calculated using the formula 15 mg per kilogram of the patient's weight, which usually falls within the range of 0.8 to 1.2 daily grams, divided into two daily doses. The duration of the drug course can only be determined by the attending physician based on the treatment effectiveness indicators.

Contraindications for the administration of ribaleg include increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug, including high susceptibility to phosphate compounds, as well as a history of chronic renal and hepatic dysfunction, chronic heart failure, severe anemia, various autoimmune diseases, pregnancy and lactation.

The following can be used as antibacterial drugs: loracarbef, cephalosporins, benzylpenicillin, meropenem, imipenem, ampicillin, nafcillin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, rifampicin, ticarcillin, piperacillin and others.

The dosage of the drug metronidazole is determined only by the attending physician depending on the pathogenic flora present. It can be 0.5 g, administered very slowly by drip. The maximum permissible daily dosage is no more than 4 g of the drug.

Contraindications to the drug in question include a tendency to epileptic seizures and other disorders of the central nervous system, the first trimester of pregnancy, liver failure, the period of breastfeeding a newborn, and increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug.

Patients should not forget that self-medication is not allowed; the treatment protocol should only be prescribed by a qualified specialist, in accordance with the specific clinical picture.

Traditional treatment of hyperkeratosis of the cervix

It should be noted right away that any treatment, whether traditional or non-traditional methods of therapy, should only be carried out under the monitoring and with the consent of the attending physician. As practice shows, folk treatment of the disease in question can bring a positive result, but only as an auxiliary method of stopping the problem.

As practice shows, these can be medicinal tampons, douching with medicinal infusions and decoctions, applications to the perineal area.

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Herbal treatment

As already noted, herbal treatment can bring quite tangible help in solving the problem of getting rid of bacterial, infectious or inflammatory lesions of the pelvic organs. Here we can offer several such recipes:

• Dilute one teaspoon of St. John's wort with a quarter cup of boiled water. Keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Leave to infuse for about 45 minutes and douche while warm. This procedure must be done daily. This infusion copes well with the inflammatory process occurring in the pelvic area.
• Caragana officinalis, which is taken orally (inside), relieves inflammation and promotes rapid healing of wounds and erosive areas. The brewing procedure is similar to the previous point, you should only take two tablespoons of the plant product per two glasses of liquid. Schedule of administration: half a glass three to four times a day before meals.
• A decoction of bergenia has also shown good results. Grind two tablespoons of the plant's rhizome and brew for half an hour in a glass of boiling water, using a water bath. Then cool until warm and use before bed as a syringe.
• An anti-inflammatory agent that increases the tone of the uterine muscles is a decoction of viburnum branches. To prepare the medicine, you will need 600 g of buttermilk and about 100 g of fresh plant branches. This composition is placed in a container and placed on a small fire for about ten minutes. After that, it is put off the stove overnight to infuse. After waking up, strain and douche with the medicinal liquid. The solution used should be warm.
• For douching, brew the herb of common yarrow. Combine 15 g of raw material with 200 ml of boiling water, put on low heat and hold for 15 minutes from the moment of boiling. Then leave to brew for an hour. Take as a douching liquid in a warm form.

And there are a great many such medicinal recipes, you should not just prescribe such treatment to yourself. In the best case, you can only waste time, and in the worst case - wait for complications.

Homeopathy

Nowadays, homeopathy is becoming more and more popular, especially among those people who care about their health.

In our case, it is quite difficult to suggest a specific treatment, because there are too many reasons that can cause this disease. Therefore, it would be best to consult a homeopathic doctor, who, based on the results of the tests and the identified cause of the pathology, will select the most suitable homeopathic drug in this context.

For example, if the source of the disease is inflammatory, the patient may be prescribed Gynecohel, taken mainly ten drops, previously dissolved in 30 ml of boiled water. This procedure is carried out three times a day. The duration of the treatment is from two to three weeks. The reception is carried out under the doctor's monitoring.

Contraindications for the administration of Gynecoheel include increased individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug, including high susceptibility to insect bites and bee products, as well as a history of thyroid disease and the patient's age under 18 years.

Surgical treatment

Modern classical medicine is equipped with a number of methods that allow for the surgical treatment of many pathological disorders in the human body. Based on the pathology considered in this article, doctors are able to offer the following to relieve the problem:

• Laser vaporization, a technique that allows using a directed laser beam to burn out pathological areas of epithelial tissue. At the same time, an experienced surgeon is able to perform a delicate operation without significantly damaging healthy adjacent tissues. This technique allows avoiding the formation of colloid scars at the site of the operation, which can subsequently become a problem during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Cryodestruction – this method is as effective as laser therapy, but in this case the process of burning mutated tissues is carried out by using low temperatures created by liquid nitrogen. After cryodestruction, there is also no formation of colloid scars at the site of the operation.
• Radiosurgical treatment is a method of cauterizing pathological zones using high-frequency radio waves. The consequences of this treatment method are quite impressive. No scar is formed after this procedure.
• Electrosurgical methods are the most traumatic of all methods of relief. Burning is performed with electricity. The consequences of using this method are the formation of coarse colloid scars, but this is the cheapest type of therapy. It is mainly used by patients who do not plan to become pregnant or give birth in the future or who are in the pre-menopausal period.

If diagnostics have identified at least a single number of mutated cells, the treatment concept changes dramatically. The woman may be offered a more radical operation.

Prevention

The essence of recommendations for stopping the development, preventing the onset and progression of the disease is in eliminating the causes that can become catalysts for the pathology. Prevention of hyperkeratosis of the cervix cannot be specified. Therefore, it is necessary to simply follow those recommendations that will be beneficial for the entire reproductive system of a woman:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This also applies to sexual cleanliness.
• Casual relationships should be avoided.
• Avoid rough sex, which can result in injury to a woman's genitals.
• It is necessary to promptly contact a specialist with a suspicion of any infectious lesion and treat it until complete recovery.
• Daily hygiene procedures.
• Preference should be given to underwear and bed linen made from natural fibers.
• Avoid overheating or hypothermia of the body.
• No strict diets. Significant weight gain, as well as weight loss, adversely affect the health of any person.
• Nutrition should be rational and complete.
• The processes of rest and stress must be balanced.
• Stress and emotional overload should be avoided.
• Regularly, at least once a year, undergo a preventive gynecological examination.
• Giving up bad habits.

All these tips will be effective for any organism: be it a teenage girl, a woman of reproductive age or older representatives of the female half.

Forecast

It is worth immediately reassuring those respondents who, upon hearing the diagnosis - hyperkeratosis of the cervix, fall into a stupor and panic at the same time. After all, this pathology is considered precancerous, but is not cancer. Therefore, with timely detection of the disease and its adequate treatment, the prognosis in the overwhelming majority of cases is favorable. A woman who has undergone such therapy can quite well live to a ripe old age.

A woman's reproductive organs are like belonging to a higher caste. And if something happens to them, it causes not only physical but also psychological pain to a woman. When diagnosing such a pathology as hyperkeratosis of the cervix, particularly impressionable women should remember that this pathology is not an oncological disease and it can and should be fought. But how easy this fight will be directly depends on the woman herself. Regular visits to an obstetrician-gynecologist, and the disease will be recognized at an early stage of destruction, and, therefore, less effort is needed to solve the problem. Do not ignore annual preventive examinations, and you will always have your finger on the pulse of your health!

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