What are the symptoms of cervicitis and vaginitis?

Cervicitis and vaginitis are two common gynecological inflammations. Cervicitis mainly presents symptoms such as increased vaginal secretions, bleeding after intercourse, and lower abdominal pain. Vaginitis mainly presents symptoms such as vulvar itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, and discomfort during urination.

1. Symptoms of cervicitis

Cervicitis is usually caused by pathogenic infection, which may be related to factors such as unclean sexual life, multiple induced abortions, vaginal flora imbalance, etc. Patients often present with yellowish or purulent vaginal discharge, which is thick and may have an odor. Acute attacks may be accompanied by a feeling of distension in the lower abdomen or pain in the lumbosacral region, and some patients may experience contact bleeding after sexual intercourse. Cervicitis left untreated for a long time may lead to complications such as cervical erosion and cervical polyps.

2. Symptoms of vaginitis

Vaginitis is mainly divided into three types: bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and trichomonas vaginitis. Bacterial vaginosis presents as gray-white thin discharge with a fishy odor and mild vulvar itching. The typical symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis are tofu-like leucorrhea, accompanied by severe vulvar itching and burning sensation, and there may be stinging during urination. Trichomonas vaginitis produces yellow-green foamy discharge with a bad smell, which may be accompanied by urethral irritation symptoms.

3. Differences in secretions

Cervicitis secretions mostly flow out from the cervical canal and are relatively viscous in texture and may contain a small amount of blood. Vaginitis secretions originate directly from the vaginal wall, bacterial vaginosis secretions are thin and uniform, candidiasis secretions are curd-like, and trichomonas vaginitis secretions are foamy. Both types of inflammation may cause dampness and discomfort in underwear, but vaginitis is more likely to cause vulvar skin irritation.

4. Differences in accompanying symptoms

Patients with cervicitis may experience cervical irritation symptoms such as intermenstrual bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse. In severe cases, it may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and fever. Vaginitis is mainly characterized by vulvar itching and discomfort during urination. Candida infection may cause chapped vulvar skin, and trichomonas infection may cause redness and swelling of the urethral orifice. Both diseases may affect patients' daily and sexual life quality.

5. Check the features

During gynecological examination, cervicitis can be seen as cervical congestion and edema, and the surface may be covered with erosion or mucopurulent secretions. Vaginitis examination shows congestion of the vaginal mucosa, bacterial vaginosis secretions evenly adhere to the vaginal wall, candidiasis has white film-like material in the vagina, and trichomonal vaginitis shows cervical spotting. Both diseases require secretion testing to identify the type of pathogen.

It is recommended that women who experience the above symptoms go to a gynecologist in time to make a clear diagnosis through routine leucorrhea, cervical scraping and other examinations. During treatment, you should avoid sexual intercourse, keep your vulva clean and dry, and choose cotton breathable underwear. Pay attention to avoid spicy and irritating foods in your diet. Appropriate supplementation of yogurt containing lactobacilli can help maintain the balance of vaginal flora. Take medication according to the doctor's instructions and avoid washing the vagina by yourself to destroy the microecological environment.