What causes a strawberry cervix, likely due to Trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis) infection?

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Last updated: February 20, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

Strawberry cervix is a clinical sign of trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection, and its presence warrants immediate treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole. The appearance of strawberry cervix is due to inflammation and capillary dilation caused by Trichomonas vaginalis infection, as noted in various studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This protozoan parasite adheres to the cervical epithelium, leading to the characteristic spotted appearance.

Key Points to Consider

  • Strawberry cervix is a clinical sign that is highly indicative of trichomoniasis, and its presence should prompt immediate treatment.
  • The recommended treatment for trichomoniasis is metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days or tinidazole 2 g orally in a single dose, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
  • Both patient and sexual partner(s) should be treated to prevent reinfection, and patients should be advised to abstain from sexual intercourse until treatment is complete and symptoms have resolved.
  • While not all cases of trichomoniasis present with strawberry cervix, its presence is a strong indicator of the infection and warrants prompt treatment to prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Treatment Options

  • Metronidazole 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days
  • Tinidazole 2 g orally in a single dose It is essential to note that the treatment should be based on the most recent and highest quality evidence, and the patient's sexual partner(s) should also be treated to prevent reinfection, as emphasized in the study 1.

References

Research

Infectious Vaginitis, Cervicitis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

The Medical clinics of North America, 2023

Research

Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.), 2019

Research

Cervicitis in adolescents: do clinicians understand diagnosis and treatment?

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 2011

Research

Chronic Cervicitis: Presenting Features and Response to Therapy.

Journal of lower genital tract disease, 2016

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.