Inflammation of the tissues of the cervix is known as cervicitis. Cervicitis in women has many features in common with urethritis in men. Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. ...

Cervicitis can be caused by any of a number of infections, of which the commonest are chlamydia, genital herpes, and gonorrhea. Chlamydia is currently one of the most common sexually transmitted disease — about 4 million cases of chlamydia occur in the USA each year. ... The Herpes simplex virus infection (common names: herpes, cold sores) is a common, contagious, incurable, and in some cases sexually transmitted disease caused by a double-stranded DNA virus. ... Gonorrhoea (USA spelling: gonorrhea, slang term the clap) is among the most common curable sexually transmitted diseases in the world caused by the Gram-negative bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. ...

Mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) is characterized by a purulent or mucopurulent endocervical exudate visible in the endocervical canal or in an endocervical swab specimen. Some specialists also diagnose MPC on the basis of easily induced cervical bleeding. Although some specialists consider an increased number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes on endocervical Gram stain as being useful in the diagnosis of MPC, this criterion has not been standardized, has a low positive-predictive value (PPV), and is not available in some settings. MPC often is asymptomatic, but some women have an abnormal vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding (e.g., after sexual intercourse). MPC can be caused by C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae; however, in most cases neither organism can be isolated. MPC can persist despite repeated courses of antimicrobial therapy. Because relapse or reinfection with C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae usually does not occur in persons with persistent cases of MPC, other non-microbiologic determinants (e.g., inflammation in the zone of ectopy) might be involved. The missionary position is the most common position for sexual intercourse in humans The cowgirl sex position is a good position for kissing, caressing, and embracing of the paramour The Doggy position is thus named because canines as well as most other mammals use this position. ...

Patients who have MPC should be tested for C. trachomatis and for N. gonorrhoeae with the most sensitive and specific test available. However, MPC is not a sensitive predictor of infection with these organisms; most women who have C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae do not have MPC.

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR Recomm Rep 2002 10 May;51(RR-6):30-42.

Much of an earlier version of this article was taken from the public domain document "Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2002." which can be found at http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3236 May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ...

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