What is erosion and why does it occur?

What is erosion? This is the most common disease in gynecology. Such a diagnosis doctors around the world annually record in several million women's medical records. So in fact, what is erosion of the uterus, why does it arise and how is it treated? In order to better understand the causes and mechanism of occurrence, you should familiarize yourself with the features of the structure of the cervix and its changes throughout the menstrual cycle.

The structure of the normal cervix

So, the uterus is a hollow organ, the bulk of which belongs to the muscle tissue. From the inside, this unusual organ is lined with a special tissue - the endometrium, which can easily change and help develop a fertilized cage. The shape of the uterus is very similar to fruit - an inverted pear. Her body and vagina connect the neck - a special channel. Inside, everything is lined with a special tissue - a soft cylindrical epithelium, the cells of which are tightly pressed against each other and always located only in one layer.

Emerging into the narrow lumen of the vagina, the outer part of it is covered with a strong multilayer epithelium (its cells form thin numerous layers). It is the same in structure as the vaginal mucosa, and completely covers the neck right up to the edges of the outermost opening - the throat of the cervix. It is there that it merges with another kind of epithelium - cylindrical. It covers the inside of the canal, which leads deep into the uterine cavity, the very neck of the uterus. Normally, transitions from one type of epithelium to another occur gradually. Cylindrical epithelium in the cervical canal gives off a special mucus, which changes its habitual protective properties under the action of ovarian hormones. Neck mucus to the middle of the normal menstrual cycle has the largest amount of fluid - water, it is at this time the least viscous and good for permeation of spermatozoa.

Why the mucous membranes of the cervix change

The trigger mechanism from which erosion develops is most often an infection. It can be both staphylococci, and E. coli, and streptococci, and enterococcus, and pathogens related to the category of "infections that are transmitted solely through sexual contact": ureaplasma, gardnerella, mycoplasma, chlamydia. Various gaps, microtraumas during labor, cervical injuries in medical abortions, as well as inflammatory processes in the vagina and appendages of the uterus contribute to the infection of the healthy neck.

Inflammatory local process of the mucous membranes is accompanied by the formation of leucorrhoea - increased secretion. This leads to additional irritations and disturbances in the normal structure of the mucous membranes of the cervix. This epithelium disappears, the very surface of the shell is bare. It bleeds quite easily, without resistance, "perceives" the infection. Damage is also caused by blood vessels, up to bloody discharge after sexual acts. That's what erosion is. This is how it arises. Its signs are the wrong shape, bright red, bleeding when touched. After 1-2 weeks, the true erosion itself disappears, or most often passes into the so-called "pseudo-erosion of the cervix."

The true causes

The first thing the doctor does when answering the question "What is erosion?", This conducts familiarization with the causes of its occurrence. Firstly, it is sexual infections, inflammatory diseases in the female sexual sphere, dysbacteriosis of the vagina. Mikoureaplasma and chlamydia, as well as other microorganisms are constantly found and storm the mucous membrane. The result of this is her reaction - an increase in activity.

Secondly, too early onset of sexual intercourse. The mucous membrane in the female tender genital organs finally ripens somewhere to 20-22 years. That is, if the infection interferes with this rather subtle process, then pseudo-erosion is almost impossible to pass.

And, thirdly, it's a variety of injuries that happen to the cervix. The main cause of such injuries is childbirth and abortion. The cervix of the uterus is supposed to pass the child's head. Therefore it is not surprising that it is often torn.

It is also possible the emergence of pathologies of the cervix even with a decrease in the protective function of immunity.

So, now you know what erosion is and the main reasons for its occurrence. Take care of yourself!