Is cervical erosion serious?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Cervical erosion is actually a physiological phenomenon and is not alarming. It is caused by the increased levels of estrogen in the body, which causes the columnar epithelium inside the cervical canal to descend and evert. During gynecological examinations, this part of the cervical canal appears red and granular, like eroded protrusions, as if it has decayed. However, this is not the case. When the estrogen levels in a woman's body decrease, this tissue will retract back into the cervical canal and will no longer be visible. In most cases, treatment is not necessary. Treatment is only required if the erosion is combined with an infection, or if there is bleeding after intercourse, or if there is an increase in thick, sticky vaginal discharge that affects sperm passage. Additionally, some women may have cervical cancerous changes that also appear as erosive growths. Therefore, when a woman notices cervical erosion, it is advisable to undergo a TCT screening to rule out the possibility of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and precancerous lesions of the cervix.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 12sec home-news-image

How long does cervical erosion bleed after the scab falls off?

Cervical erosion, if treated with methods like laser or electrocoagulation, may experience bleeding during the scab shedding process. This bleeding usually ceases within about a week. It is common for the blood volume to increase slightly when the scabs fall off, then the bleeding gradually decreases, and stopping within a week is considered normal. If bleeding persists for more than a week after treatment for cervical erosion, it is necessary to visit a hospital for relevant examinations, and receive targeted treatments based on the condition of the cervical wound. If there is active bleeding, treatment should be based on the examination results. Therefore, if bleeding due to scab shedding from cervical erosion lasts excessively long, it is crucial to seek appropriate medical attention at a hospital. Generally, sexual intercourse should be avoided within a month after the operation for cervical erosion, and anti-inflammatory targeted treatments are necessary post-surgery.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How does second-degree cervical erosion heal by itself?

In general, if one hopes for cervical erosion to heal on its own, it might take a long time and the effects might not be very clear. Therefore, if cervical erosion is found to be severe, it is recommended that the patient visits the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of the local hospital. If necessary, physical therapy or anti-inflammatory treatment may be needed to treat the cervical erosion. Generally, after clinical treatment, most patients with cervical erosion will receive effective treatment. If cervical erosion repeatedly persists and does not heal, it is advised for the patient to promptly identify the reasons causing it to persist and seek timely symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 32sec home-news-image

Moderate cervical erosion treatment duration

Patients with moderate cervical erosion can generally use topical medications for treatment. If treating with topical medications, it usually involves applying the medication for 7 to 10 days per month, continuing for three menstrual cycles before a follow-up examination. Alternatively, patients with moderate cervical erosion can opt for physical treatments such as laser therapy, electrocoagulation, or cryoablation. Typically, one or two sessions of such treatments can lead to improvement. After treatment using physical methods, the cervix usually returns to normal within two months. Furthermore, before patients with cervical erosion seek treatment at the hospital, they must first undergo cervical cancer screening to rule out cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. Only if cervical erosion is confirmed without accompanying cancerous or precancerous conditions, treatment with medication or laser can be considered. Cervical cancer screening typically involves a TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) virus testing. These tests help determine whether the cervical condition includes cancer or precancerous changes, and if it's only inflammation, then treatment with medication or laser is feasible.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Cervical erosion grade one

Cervical erosion of the first degree simply means that the area of cervical erosion is not very large. Cervical erosion of the second degree is also a physiological phenomenon and doesn’t need to be overly concerned about. As long as the screening results for precancerous cervical lesions are normal, and there is no contact bleeding or infection in the discharge, it's not a problem. Simple cervical erosion is just a physiological phenomenon, as young women naturally have higher levels of estrogen, and their columnar epithelium is prone to eversion. It is a physiological state and should not be treated as a disease.

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Written by Li Li Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Moderate cervical erosion is what?

Cervical erosion can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe based on the size of the erosion area. Mild erosion occurs when the erosion area is less than 1/3 of the cervical area, and moderate erosion when the area is between 1/3 and 2/3. Severe erosion occurs when the area exceeds 2/3 of the cervical area. Women with moderate cervical erosion often suffer from infertility and miscarriages. More seriously, if moderate cervical erosion is left untreated or persists without healing, it can develop into severe cervical erosion or precancerous lesions, and even cervical cancer. Moderate cervical erosion can affect future normal fertility, so it is crucial to take the disease seriously and undertake preventive measures.