Cervical erosion is a small red spot on the mucous membrane of the cervix. The appearance of this wound may not be noticed, nor may you be unaware of its existence for quite a long time. In fact, this is a very serious pathology that simply needs to be treated. After all, without creating problems in the first stages of its occurrence, erosion can become an impetus for the development of more serious diseases.
Consequences after cauterization
The main method of treating erosion for more than a decade has been cauterization of the altered epithelium to form a superficial wound on the cervix. Thanks to this, the ulcers are gradually covered with a layer of healthy cells or connective tissue, forming a small scar that does not cause harm to health.
Unfortunately, in some cases, unpleasant consequences are observed after the procedure, including pain and bleeding. Discharge is also possible - mucous discharge from the wound. If after the procedure you bleed and the blood flows profusely, a large vessel may have been damaged. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, he will help stop the bleeding.
Weak nagging pain in the lower abdomen is relieved with antispasmodics, for example, No-shpa and spasmalgon. But before taking them, it is also advisable to consult a doctor.
Cauterization of cervical erosion
Many women have encountered such a problem as erosion.
Examination by a gynecologist who says: “Cervical erosion.” Sounds like a sentence. But don't get upset prematurely. Of course, units undergo qualified examination and treatment. Some begin to heal on their own. Such options for inaction are dangerous to health. Therefore, timely treatment will help avoid disastrous consequences. Cervical ectopia (erosion) is one of the most common violations of the integrity of the vaginal mucosa. This disease is considered a gynecological pathology. It appears as a small ulcer on the vaginal mucosa. This condition is a serious problem that requires immediate treatment.
There are three types of erosion:
- True.
- Pseudo-erosion.
- Congenital erosion.
True erosion is multilayer damage to the squamous epithelium. Visually it resembles a wound that can heal on its own. Mostly occurs mechanically.
Pseudo-erosion (ectopia) occurs as a result of the movement of the epithelium from the cervical canal to a small area of the uterus, which is located in the vagina. This type of erosion is dangerous. An ulcer cannot heal on its own, so qualified help and treatment is needed. If you look at it, pseudo-erosion has a characteristically red color, which is surrounded by a pink rim. The surface of such a formation is fine-grained, but can be covered with mucopurulent discharge.
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Congenital erosion is very rare; the disease generally goes away on its own, especially after hormonal changes.
To avoid complications and changes in the cervix, you must be examined by a gynecologist and undergo a course of treatment. Cauterization is considered one of the effective methods for treating cervical erosion. Of course, many people ask about the methods and types of cauterization.
Methods of cauterization of cervical erosion
- Laser
- Electric shock
- Nitrogen
- Solkovagin (chemical coagulation method)
- Argon
Let's take a closer look at the treatment methods.
Laser cauterization of cervical erosion is one of the most advanced and popular treatment methods. The essence of the treatment is as follows: the operation is performed using a laser beam without contact. The laser affects the damaged area. As a result, fluid evaporates from diseased epithelial cells (erosion). Due to this, a film of dead tissue is formed and after a week a crust is formed - the film is rejected.
Positive qualities of the procedure:
- efficiency;
- painless and bloodless;
- can be used by women who have not given birth;
- rapid tissue restoration;
- the procedure does not leave scars, thanks to the precise impact;
- no complications (bleeding).
Disadvantages of laser cauterization:
- high cost;
- cases of incomplete cure have been identified, which necessitates a repeat procedure.
Cauterization with electric current . Electrical treatment is considered one of the most common methods. The essence of the procedure is as follows: using current, the affected areas of the mucous membrane of the cervix are treated. Then, after treatment, a “crust” (scab) forms, which begins to be rejected over the course of several days, in the place of which healthy epithelium is restored. It is better to carry out the procedure only in the first half of the menstrual cycle. The tissue will be completely restored in about 2 months.
Positive qualities of the procedure:
- high efficiency;
- affordability;
Disadvantages of the procedure:
- scarring, which can subsequently lead to complicated dilatation of the cervix during childbirth;
- The method is contraindicated for women who have not given birth.
Treatment with liquid nitrogen . The essence of the method is the targeted application of nitrogen to the altered erosion cells, as a result of which water crystallizes and the affected cells die. Nitrogen is applied using a machine, which allows you to preserve healthy tissue. Swelling and discharge may occur after the procedure. Tissue restoration occurs within two months.
Positive qualities of the procedure:
- painlessness;
- women who have not given birth can use this type of treatment for erosion;
- after treatment with nitrogen, scars do not form, but shortening of the cervix may occur.
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Disadvantages of the procedure:
- in some patients, partial recovery was found due to incomplete treatment of the affected tissues;
- do not use this method for deep erosions;
- Due to the standard shape of the device’s tip, capturing healthy tissue is only possible in cases where the area of affected tissue has an irregular geometric shape.
Chemical coagulation method . This method is used only in cases where the erosion is small. The essence of the method is to treat damaged tissues with medications (for example, Solkovagin). In order for a complete recovery to occur, it is tedious to carry out several procedures.
Argon cauterization is one of the methods of cauterization of cervical erosion, which is gaining popularity. The essence of the treatment is non-contact cauterization. Using an argon plasma torch, energy is transferred to the affected area, resulting in the destruction of the affected tissue.
Positive qualities of the procedure:
- rapid period of tissue recovery;
- no scars or scars remain after the procedure;
- due to the contactless method, the risk of infections is eliminated;
- healthy tissue is not damaged due to precise control of the depth of the lesion.
Disadvantages of the procedure:
- possibility of repeating the procedure.
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Results after cauterization and possible consequences
After the procedure, pain in the lower abdomen may appear for four days. Don't worry, this is a normal reaction of the body. In some cases, patients experienced bleeding. Also, after the procedure, a mucous discharge appears. But there are exceptions, when after cauterization the discharge is bloody and profuse, then you need to consult a doctor, as a large vessel may be affected. After cauterization, ulcers and wounds are covered with healthy cells or tissue, forming a small scar. A scar can cause a narrowing of the cervical canal, which can cause problems with conception, and also increases the risk of premature birth and miscarriages.
Consequences that may appear after cauterization of the cervix are endometriosis. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of this disease, it is recommended that the procedure be carried out preferably in the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
What is pathology?
If we talk about the origin of this term, it turns out that it goes back to the Latin verb erodere, which translates as “to corrode.” As a word denoting a complete or partial destructive defect of any surface, “erosion” is used in geology, technology, and medicine. In the latter case, we are talking about a superficial defect of the epithelium - the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane.
Cervical erosion can be identified in three types:
- so-called true erosion, which looks like an ordinary wound on the mucous membrane, is rare and heals very quickly, like any wound;
- in rare cases, a diagnosis of “congenital erosion” may be made. As a rule, it goes away on its own during hormonal changes in the body, including childbirth;
- the most dangerous is pseudo, or false, erosion. In this case, the affected area of the epithelium is not able to heal without outside intervention, and serious treatment or cauterization of the erosion is necessary.
Causes and manifestations
Pathology in women can arise due to various reasons, both external and internal. Among the most common causes of cervical erosion are:
- fluctuations in hormonal levels;
- immune factor;
- history of trauma to the cervical epithelium;
- use of chemical spermicides as protection;
- refusal to use barrier methods of contraception;
- intimate intimacy with multiple sexual partners;
- infections and inflammatory processes in the reproductive sphere.
Cervical erosion and its complications can occur as a result of the summation of several provoking factors.
Often, cervical erosion is characterized by asymptomatic progression. In the absence of adequate therapy, complications may arise in the form of ascending infection and expansion of the boundaries of inflammation. Gynecologists identify signs indicating the development of complications during erosion:
- contact secretions containing blood;
- mucous or purulent discharge;
- discomfort in the vagina.
Erosion is not accompanied by complications in the form of sudden bleeding. If such a symptom appears, you should contact a gynecologist and undergo an examination.
Basic techniques for the cauterization procedure
As for the main methods of carrying out the cauterization procedure for cervical erosion in women, there may be several of them. But, it is necessary to initially note that this approach should be determined exclusively by a highly qualified specialist, after a thorough examination of the woman and the pathology of the reproductive organ. Such examination for the most part includes taking all the necessary tests, ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, as well as other diagnostic measures.
As for the above methods, they are as follows:
- diathermocoagulation. This method consists in the fact that erosion is eliminated using such a specific effect on the lesions as cauterization with electric current;
- laser cauterization;
- cryodisruption. Freezing of the focus of cervical erosion is done using liquid nitrogen;
- treatment with ultrasound or radio waves;
- argon treatment;
- chemotherapy or elimination of a lesion on the surface of the cervix with the help of medications.
Consequently, it is impossible to independently determine the method of eliminating the pathology, so the doctor must initially make his own conclusion and only after that decide what method will be used to eliminate the disease.
This is also due to the fact that all of the listed methods have characteristic pros and cons and all of them must be taken into account when choosing the main method of cauterization of foci of the disease.
It is very important to note that under no circumstances should cauterization be performed during childbirth and breastfeeding. Also, doctors’ recommendations boil down to the fact that cauterization, cauterization can have a very negative impact on the patient’s health if she has any tumor processes or infectious diseases.
If erosion needs to be cauterized for a nulliparous girl, then it is better to exclude a method such as electric current. This is due to the fact that such cauterization, cauterization can leave a certain scar on the cervix, which in the future will not make it possible to become pregnant or fully bear a child.
