Two days ago, Fang, a newlywed, called me for advice: the unit’s physical examination revealed cervical erosion of degree II, and cervical cancer screening was recommended. She usually has no discomfort and asked me if this was necessary. My answer was: even if there is no discomfort, cervical cancer screening is necessary when cervical erosion is detected. Why? Here, Dr. Lee is going to give you another lesson on this topic. First of all, I would like to ask you a question: Is celiac disease is cervicitis? If the answer is “yes”, Dr. Li will give you a red cross. When we do a gynecological examination (one of the medical checkups) for women, we look at the cervix inside the vagina under the speculum and sometimes we find that the surface of the cervix has a red congested area or is covered with tiny granular, celiac-like tissue, and sometimes when we take a sample of vaginal discharge with a cotton swab, lightly touching the cervix can cause bleeding (contact bleeding). When such a condition is found, most doctors will tell the person being examined that there is cervical erosion. In fact, what you are just told is: a state of the cervix, not a diagnostic name for the disease. So, does this state mean that there is inflammation of the cervix? From a professional point of view, i.e. medical histology, this state of the cervix is defined as follows: the epithelial defect in the cervical area is celiac disease (true); the vaginal part of the cervix is covered by columnar epithelium with a bright red, granular appearance, called glandular epithelial ectasia or ectropion (pseudo-erosion). Whether one understands this passage or not, if one sees the words “true” and “pseudo”, one knows that celiac disease is a very complex state. Let’s take a look at how the diagnostic name “cervicitis” is described. As we know, the cervix is a part of the uterus that is 2.5-3 cm long in adult women and the lower third of which extends into the vagina. Inflammation of the cervix is one of the more common diseases in women and includes inflammation of the vaginal part of the cervix and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal of the uterus. Inflammation of the cervicovaginal area can be caused by any kind of inflammation of the vagina. Most acute cervicitis is asymptomatic, but those with symptoms have increased vaginal discharge, itching and burning sensation in the vulva, and painful urinary frequency and urgency. In addition, intermenstrual bleeding, post-coital bleeding, etc. may occur. Gynecological examination reveals congestion, edema, mucous membrane turning outward, and purulent discharge adhering to the cervix and vagina. It needs to be treated with antibiotics and the sexual partner should also be examined and treated accordingly. If acute cervicitis is not treated in time or if the pathogen persists, it can progress to chronic cervicitis. Most chronic cervicitis is asymptomatic. Gynecological examination reveals cervical erosion-like changes, polyps or hypertrophy. See the relationship between celiac disease and cervicitis here? Cervical erosion is a state that can be a physiological change: seen in adolescence, in those taking oral contraceptives, in pregnancy state (pseudo-erosion); or pathological: such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and early cervical cancer. Therefore, cervical cytology and/or HPV testing, colposcopy and biopsy if necessary, are needed to rule out cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and early cervical cancer when cervical erosion-like changes are detected. When a physical examination reveals a positive sign of cervical erosion, do not panic, as long as the cervical cytology and/or HPV is normal, asymptomatic individuals do not need to be treated. If you have increased vaginal discharge or contact bleeding, you can give local physical therapy such as laser, microwave, or freezing (physical therapy can cause cervical stenosis, infertility, and infection); you can also give Chinese herbal medicine Povidon suppository treatment. This article is authorized by Dr. Li Haiyan.