What are the differences between the symptoms of cervicitis and cervical erosion

Both cervicitis and cervical erosion can cause abnormal vaginal discharge and lower abdominal discomfort, but there are certain differences in their symptoms: cervicitis is often manifested by increased vaginal discharge, purulent vaginal discharge, obvious odor, sometimes accompanied by vaginal itching and lower abdominal pain; while cervical erosion is usually characterized by milky white or egg white-like vaginal discharge, sometimes accompanied by contact bleeding and a slight feeling of heaviness. Identifying the different symptoms of the two is the key to diagnosis and treatment.

Cervicitis is an inflammatory disease of the cervix, mainly caused by infections such as bacteria and viruses. Especially when menstrual hygiene is not paid attention to or the vagina is washed excessively, it is easy to cause damage to the body's defense barrier and the reproduction of pathogens. Its typical symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge, which is purulent, milky white or light yellow and may emit a noticeable odor. Some patients will feel abdominal pain, back pain or pain during sexual intercourse. Cervical hyperplasia or polyps developed from chronic cervicitis may also cause intermittent contact bleeding.

Cervical erosion is not a true "erosion", but a physiological phenomenon or mild pathological state in which the squamous epithelium of the cervical epidermis is replaced by columnar epithelium due to changes in estrogen levels. In most cases, it does not cause obvious discomfort, but if accompanied by infection, there will be increased vaginal discharge, yellow color, and thick texture. Some patients may experience contact bleeding when the inflammation is severe. The larger the erosion area of ​​cervical erosion and the deeper the lesion, the more obvious the symptoms may be.

Note that cervicitis and cervical erosion need to be confirmed through gynecological examination. If the leucorrhea is abnormal, has a strange smell, or the lower abdominal pain continues to worsen, you should seek medical attention in time. In life, pay attention to maintaining good vaginal hygiene, avoid excessive cleaning or the use of irritating products; improve the high-sugar and high-oil diet structure, increase the intake of green leafy vegetables and foods rich in probiotics; exercise appropriately to enhance immunity. Irregular sexual behavior or frequent changes of partners may increase the risk of cervical disease, and protective measures should be taken to avoid potential sources of infection. For patients with confirmed diseases, they should follow the doctor's advice for anti-infection treatment or physical therapy, and perform regular cervical screening to prevent complications.