Cervical erosion at OpenMed Warsaw
At OpenMed Warsaw we diagnose and treat changes within the cervix, commonly referred to as cervical erosion. During the appointment the doctor assesses whether the visible change is a true erosion, an ectopy - that is, a change in the cervical epithelium, an inflammation or another abnormality requiring further diagnostics.
Not every erosion requires surgical treatment. Before deciding on therapy it is therefore important to have a gynaecological consultation, an examination of the cervix, a current cytology result and, where indicated, a colposcopy, a culture, an HPV test or a cervical biopsy. Only after reviewing the results can the doctor propose observation, conservative treatment or surgical treatment of the erosion.
Who we help
We help patients who:
- have been told during an appointment that they have cervical erosion,
- want to check whether the change requires treatment,
- have spotting after intercourse or contact bleeding,
- notice abnormal vaginal discharge,
- struggle with recurrent intimate infections,
- have chronic inflammation of the cervix,
- need cytology, colposcopy or a culture before treatment,
- have an abnormal cytology result and require further diagnostics,
- want to discuss the option of laser treatment of the erosion,
- are looking for a consultation on the treatment of cervical erosion in Warsaw.
Doctors treating cervical erosion in Warsaw
Meet the OpenMed Warsaw doctors who diagnose and treat changes within the cervix, including erosion, ectopy and chronic inflammation. During the appointment the doctor assesses the cervix, discusses the symptoms, reviews the cytology results and, if needed, qualifies the patient for further diagnostics.
What is cervical erosion?
Cervical erosion is often described as a reddened, more sensitive area visible on the surface of the cervix. It may resemble a small sore, but it does not always mean damage requiring a procedure. In some patients it is an ectopy, that is a physiological or hormone-related change in the position of the epithelium.
Such a change may cause no symptoms at all and be noticed incidentally during an examination. In other patients it may cause spotting, increased discharge, bleeding after intercourse or more frequent inflammation. The most important thing is therefore to establish what type of change is involved.
Does every erosion require treatment?
Not every erosion or ectopy requires treatment. If the patient has no symptoms, the cytology result is normal and the appearance of the cervix is not concerning, the doctor may recommend observation and regular check-ups. Surgical treatment should not be performed automatically simply because a change is visible on examination.
Treatment is considered more often when symptoms appear, for example spotting after intercourse, persistent discharge, recurrent infections or chronic inflammation, or when test results indicate a need for further action. The decision is made by the doctor after assessing the cervix and the test results.
The most common causes of cervical erosion and inflammation
Changes described as cervical erosion can have various causes. Some result from ectopy, that is the presence of the more delicate glandular epithelium on the outer part of the cervix. Others are linked to inflammation, infection, irritation or changes requiring closer diagnostics.
Common factors that contribute to changes on the cervix include:
- intimate infections and chronic inflammation,
- HPV infection,
- hormonal changes,
- pregnancy and the postpartum period,
- hormonal contraception,
- mechanical injury to the cervix,
- intercourse causing contact bleeding,
- an intrauterine device,
- recurrent infections of the vagina and cervix,
- previous gynaecological procedures.
The presence of an erosion or ectopy alone does not yet mean a serious disease. It is important, however, to assess the cervix, carry out the necessary tests and check whether the change requires treatment, observation or further diagnostics.
Diagnosing cervical erosion
Diagnosing cervical erosion begins with a gynaecological consultation and an examination of the cervix with a speculum. The doctor assesses the appearance of the change, asks about symptoms and checks whether the patient has current cytology results. Information about spotting after intercourse, discharge, pain, intimate infections, previous HPV results and procedures performed on the cervix is also important.
Depending on the situation the doctor may recommend:
- cytology,
- an HPV test,
- colposcopy,
- a culture or swab if infection is suspected,
- treatment of inflammation,
- a cervical biopsy,
- follow-up after a specified time,
- qualification for surgical treatment.
The aim of the diagnostics is to distinguish whether the change is a benign ectopy, an inflammation, an infection or a change requiring histopathological assessment.
Cytology, colposcopy and cultures before treating an erosion
Before treating cervical erosion it is important to check that there are no contraindications to the procedure and that the change does not require a different approach. The doctor may therefore recommend cytology, colposcopy, a culture or an HPV test.
The following are most often assessed before treatment:
- cytology - to check whether there are abnormalities in the cells of the cervix,
- colposcopy - to view the cervix under magnification and assess the change more closely,
- a culture or swab - if there is discharge, burning, itching, inflammation or recurrent infections,
- an HPV test - if there is a need to assess the risk associated with human papillomavirus,
- the result of a previous biopsy - if one was performed.
Surgical treatment, including laser removal of an erosion, should be preceded by an assessment of the cervix. If cytology or colposcopy results are abnormal, the doctor may first recommend a biopsy or another form of diagnostics.
When is a cervical biopsy needed?
A cervical biopsy involves taking a small piece of tissue for histopathological examination. It is not performed for every erosion. It is needed when the doctor sees a change requiring closer assessment or when the results of cytology, HPV testing or colposcopy are abnormal.
A biopsy may be recommended with:
- an abnormal cytology result,
- a positive high-risk HPV result,
- a suspicious appearance of the cervix on colposcopy,
- a change whose nature cannot be assessed by examination alone,
- suspected dysplasia,
- suspected precancerous changes,
- contact bleeding with no clear cause,
- the need to confirm a diagnosis before treatment.
The histopathological result helps establish whether observation is enough, whether treatment of inflammation is needed, whether the change should be treated surgically or whether further diagnostics are required.
Methods of treating cervical erosion
Treatment of cervical erosion is matched to the type of change, the symptoms, the test results and the plans of the patient. Not every change requires a procedure. Sometimes observation, follow-up cytology, treatment of an infection or anti-inflammatory treatment is enough.
Depending on the diagnosis the doctor may propose:
- observation and regular check-ups,
- treatment of an intimate infection,
- anti-inflammatory treatment,
- conservative treatment with vaginal preparations,
- laser treatment of the erosion or ectopy,
- cryotherapy,
- electrocoagulation,
- photocoagulation,
- a biopsy or further diagnostics if the change raises doubts.
The most important thing is that the treatment method is chosen after diagnostics. Surgical removal of an erosion should not replace cytology, colposcopy or the assessment of suspicious changes.
Laser removal of cervical erosion
Laser removal of cervical erosion involves the precise action of laser energy on the affected area of the cervix. The aim of the procedure is to remove or vaporise the tissue responsible for the symptoms, for example contact spotting, persistent discharge or recurrent inflammation.
Before laser treatment of an erosion the doctor checks whether the patient has a current cytology result and whether the appearance of the cervix calls for colposcopy, a culture, an HPV test or a biopsy. The procedure may be considered when the change is benign and the symptoms persist despite conservative treatment or affect the comfort of the patient.
Laser therapy is usually short and performed in an outpatient setting. After the procedure the patient receives recommendations on healing, intercourse, physical activity, swimming pools, tampons and the timing of the follow-up appointment.
Cervical erosion in Warsaw - diagnosis and treatment
Cervical erosion is a term patients often hear after a gynaecological examination. In practice it can mean different things: ectopy, that is the presence of the more delicate glandular epithelium on the surface of the cervix, inflammation, irritation or a change requiring closer assessment.
At OpenMed Warsaw we precede the treatment of an erosion with diagnostics. The doctor assesses the cervix, discusses the symptoms and checks whether the patient has a current cytology result. Where necessary, colposcopy, a culture, an HPV test or tissue sampling for histopathological examination may be recommended. The aim is to match the approach to the actual cause of the problem rather than to treat the label alone.
Erosion versus ectopy - how do these terms differ?
In everyday language many cervical changes are described as an erosion. Medically, however, the issue is often cervical ectopy. Ectopy means that the delicate epithelium from the cervical canal is visible on the outer part of the cervix. It may be related to reproductive age, hormones, pregnancy or hormonal contraception.
A true erosion, inflammation, ectopy and a change that is suspicious for cancer may look similar to the patient but require different approaches. That is why diagnostics are worth performing before treatment: a gynaecological examination, cytology and, where indicated, colposcopy, HPV testing, a culture or a biopsy.
Cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and photocoagulation - alternative treatment methods
Besides laser treatment of cervical erosion the doctor may also consider other surgical methods. The choice of technique depends on the type of change, the results of cytology and colposcopy, any culture, the age of the patient, plans regarding pregnancy and previous treatment of the cervix.
Methods used in the treatment of cervical changes include:
- cryotherapy - freezing the affected area of the cervix,
- electrocoagulation - using electric current and high temperature to coagulate the tissue,
- photocoagulation - applying light energy to the affected part of the cervix,
- laser therapy - allowing precise vaporisation or removal of the affected tissue,
- conservative treatment - used for infection, inflammation or changes that do not require a procedure.
Not every patient needs surgical treatment. If the change is a benign ectopy, causes no symptoms and the test results are normal, the doctor may recommend observation and regular check-ups.
How to prepare for treatment of an erosion
Treatment of cervical erosion requires gynaecological qualification. The doctor assesses the cervix, reviews the symptoms and checks whether the patient has current test results. In many cases cytology, colposcopy, a culture or an HPV test is needed before the procedure, and with abnormal results a cervical biopsy as well.
Before the appointment or procedure it is worth:
- bringing the results of cytology, colposcopy, HPV testing, a culture or a biopsy,
- giving the date of the last menstrual period,
- informing the doctor about pregnancy or suspected pregnancy,
- reporting an intimate infection, discharge, itching, burning or pain,
- mentioning medication taken regularly,
- not using vaginal medication without consulting a doctor,
- avoiding vaginal douching before the examination,
- asking whether intercourse should be avoided before the procedure.
Treatment of an erosion is usually not performed during menstruation, an active infection or severe inflammation. In such a situation the doctor may first recommend treating the infection and only then plan the procedure.
Recommendations after removal of an erosion
After the removal of a cervical erosion the patient receives individual recommendations on healing and follow-up. For some time watery discharge, slight spotting, mild lower abdominal pain or a feeling of discomfort may appear. These are common symptoms after treatment of the cervix, but they should gradually subside.
After the procedure the doctor may recommend:
- temporarily avoiding intercourse,
- not using tampons,
- using sanitary pads if spotting or discharge occurs,
- avoiding swimming pools, saunas and baths for the indicated time,
- limiting intense physical effort,
- not using pessaries or vaginal preparations without consultation,
- monitoring discharge, bleeding and pain,
- attending the follow-up appointment.
Symptoms such as heavy bleeding, fever, severe or increasing lower abdominal pain, an unpleasant odour of discharge, purulent discharge or a clear deterioration in wellbeing require prompt consultation.
Follow-up and prevention after treatment of an erosion
Follow-up after treatment of an erosion allows the healing of the cervix to be assessed and confirms whether the symptoms have resolved. The doctor may recommend a check-up after a few weeks and then further prevention in line with the results of the examination, cytology, HPV testing or colposcopy.
After treatment the following matter:
- regular gynaecological appointments,
- cytology performed as recommended,
- HPV monitoring if the doctor sees an indication,
- treatment of intimate infections and inflammation,
- a consultation if spotting after intercourse occurs,
- reporting recurrent discharge or bleeding,
- avoiding the use of vaginal preparations without a diagnosis,
- caring for the intimate microflora and proper hygiene.
An erosion or ectopy may recur, particularly if factors that favour inflammation or irritation persist. After the procedure it is therefore important not only to heal but also to continue monitoring the cervix and to respond to symptoms that appear again.
Frequently asked questions about cervical erosion
Cervical erosion does not always mean a serious problem. Often the term covers an ectopy, that is a benign change within the cervix. Every change should nevertheless be assessed by a gynaecologist, particularly if spotting after intercourse, abnormal discharge, recurrent infections or an abnormal cytology result appear.
Colposcopy may be needed when the doctor wants to assess the cervix more closely under magnification. It is performed with an abnormal cytology result, a positive HPV test, contact bleeding, a suspicious appearance of the change or before qualification for surgical treatment.
It is worth bringing the results of cytology, colposcopy, HPV testing, a culture or a previous biopsy. Before the procedure the doctor should be informed about pregnancy, an intimate infection, bleeding, medication taken regularly and any clotting disorders. Vaginal medication and douching should not be used without consulting a doctor.
Surgical treatment of an erosion is usually not performed during menstruation, because bleeding can make assessment of the cervix and healing more difficult. The timing of the procedure is best agreed with the doctor after an examination and a review of the cycle.
Healing time depends on the treatment method, the extent of the change and the individual response of the body. After the procedure watery discharge, slight spotting or mild discomfort may appear. The doctor gives the patient recommendations on hygiene, activity and the timing of the follow-up.
After the procedure the doctor may recommend temporarily avoiding intercourse, tampons, swimming pools, saunas, baths and intense physical effort. The exact length of these restrictions depends on the treatment method and the course of healing.
Yes, changes within the cervix can recur, particularly if intimate infections, inflammation, disturbances of the microflora or other irritating factors persist. After treatment it is therefore important to have regular check-ups and cytology and to respond to symptoms such as spotting after intercourse or recurrent discharge.
Many patients can plan a pregnancy after treatment of an erosion, but the timing is worth discussing with a doctor. The treatment method, the extent of the procedure, the healing of the cervix and the results of the follow-up all matter.
Cervical erosion treatment price list
Service available at the following clinics:
- Warsaw Wola - price list
Have questions? Contact us - 22 100 45 20.