For those of you who are not sure, the cervix is the lower part ( or neck) of your uterus, the part which connects it to the vagina. It is approximately 1 inch wide and long and it acts as the entrance for sperm and the exit for menstrual blood.
The principle functions of the cervix are:
- To produce cervical mucus which helps the sperm travel from the vagina to the uterus
- To open during labour to allow the baby to pass through
- To protect the uterus from bacteria
The cervix is prone to certain conditions:
- Menopause and hormonal changes can have an effect of the nature of the cervix mucus and vaginal discharge which can lead to dryness
- Cervical Polyps- these are small growths that can lead to vaginal bleeding
- Cervicitis- Where the cervix becomes inflamed and can cause abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge and pain. This can be the results from commonl sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital herpes.
- Cervical Cancer- Most of these cases are caused by the HPV virus which is a sexually transmitted infection
- Cervical Dysplasia- This is a term used for when abnormal cells are present in the cervic whcih can develop into cancer.
- Incompetent Cervix- A cervix is deemed incompetent when it is found to be too weak to maintain a pregnancy
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection which is really common and is usually harmless. That said there are a few strains which can cause cancer and the most common of those is cervical cancer. Other strains can cause genital warts but these are not linked to cancer. Most people in the UK have a HPV vaccine around the age of 11/12
Screening and prevention care are important when it comes to looking after your cervical health and preventing cervical cancer. The HPV virus can be present with no symptoms. It is estimated by the Centres for Disease Control that 91% of cervical cancer is linked to HPV. A PAP smear looks for abnormal cervical changes. In most cases cancer takes years to develop so it is likely that these changes can be picked up before they become cancerous.
Most women are treated routinely every 5 years in the UK but practising safe sex can help reduce the likelihood of the transmission of HPV.
Other advice to keep your cervix healthy is:
- Stop smoking
- Attend all PAP smear appointments
- Be mindful of your diet and include rish leafy vegetables and fruits
- Limit sexual partners
- Undertake regular physical activity
