Highlights & Basics
- Cervicitis is common and often asymptomatic, but if left undiagnosed or untreated can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to substantial long-term ill effects such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain.
- Implementing screening protocols for high-risk populations may reduce adverse outcomes from cervicitis. Screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should be offered concomitantly.
- While Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the most commonly isolated organisms, in most cases no organism is identified.
- Clinical suspicion is generally sufficient to justify therapy, but of the diagnostic aids, nucleic acid amplification testing remains the most sensitive and specific tool for accurately diagnosing N gonorrhoeae and C trachomatis.
- If the presentation suggests cervicitis, and the patient is deemed at high risk for STI, patients are empirically treated with a regimen targeting STIs.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187.[Abstract][Full Text]
Boyer CB, Shafer MB, Pollack LM, et al. Sociodemographic markers and behavioral correlates of STIs in a nonclinical sample of adolescent and young adult women. J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug 1;194(3):307-15.[Abstract][Full Text]
Marrazzo JM, Weisenfeld HC, Murray PJ, et al. Risk factors for cervicitis among women with bacterial vaginosis. J Infect Dis. 2006 Mar 1;193(5):617-24. [Abstract][Full Text]
Scholes D, Grothaus L, McClure J, et al. A randomized trial of strategies to increase Chlamydia screening in young women. Prev Med. 2006 Oct;43(4):343-50.[Abstract]
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18. Hakakha MM, Davis J, Korst LM, et al. Leukorrhea and bacterial vaginosis as in-office predictors of cervical infection in high risk women. Obstet Gynecol. 2002 Oct;100(4):808-12.[Abstract]
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