If you're not into safe sex, maybe it's time you started. This will help prevent diseases like cervicitis.

Cervicitis refers to the inflammation or infection of the cervix. It affects females of all ages, particularly those with diabetes and recurrent vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina).

More commonly, cervicitis is caused by a local infection, especially if the cervix is damaged by childbirth. The condition may also indicate serious diseases.

"Most often, cervicitis causes no signs and symptoms, and you may only learn you have the condition after a Pap test or a biopsy for another condition. If you do have signs and symptoms, they may include: vaginal discharge that's grayish or yellow, possibly with an odor, frequent, painful urination, pain during intercourse, and vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods or after menopause," said the Mayo Clinic.

There are two types of cervicitis. Acute cervicitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, including those that lead to gonorrhea and herpes. This is characterized by a clear, grayish, or yellow vaginal discharge and pain in the vagina.

Left untreated or if the patient has repeated episodes of acute cervicitis, she will eventually develop chronic cervicitis. Symptoms include backache, frequent and painful urination, a profuse vaginal discharge, bleeding between menstrual periods, and pain or bleeding after intercourse.

Mild cases of cervicitis usually heal without treatment. Other forms have to be treated by a doctor. If not, complications like cervical polyps (non-malignant growths in the cervix) or pelvic inflammatory disease (the infection of the fallopian tubes) may develop. In rare cases, cervicitis may be a symptom of cervical cancer.

To identify the organism responsible for your condition, the physician will get a tissue sample from the cervix and send this to a laboratory for analysis. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor will then prescribe the appropriate antibiotic or antiviral medication to fight the infection.

Cervicitis is contagious if it is acquired through sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In this case, one has to avoid sexual relations for a while until the infection has healed. It is also necessary to treat your partner.

"One of the best ways to reduce the risk of cervicitis from STDs is to practice safer sex. Women who become sexually active at a later age and those in monogamous relationships are at a lower risk of getting cervicitis than are those who become sexually active early in life and who have multiple partners," said the Mayo Clinic.

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