From the Research
Approximately 75% of cervicitis cases are sexually transmitted, with the most common causes being Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and bacterial vaginosis. The exact percentage of sexually transmitted cervicitis cases can vary depending on the population and location, but the majority of cases are attributed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 1.
Causes of Cervicitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most common STIs causing cervicitis, accounting for around 30-40% of cases 2, 3.
- Mycoplasma genitalium and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are also significant causes of cervicitis, particularly in cases where Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are not detected 1.
- Other sexually transmitted pathogens, such as Trichomonas vaginalis and herpes simplex virus, can also cause cervicitis.
- Non-sexually transmitted causes of cervicitis include allergic reactions, mechanical irritation, and other infections such as vaginal candidiasis 4, 5.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Testing for STIs is essential for proper diagnosis, as many infections can be asymptomatic 4, 5.
- Treatment depends on the specific pathogen identified, with doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days being the first-line treatment for chlamydial cervicitis, and ceftriaxone 500mg intramuscularly as a single dose for gonococcal cervicitis 2, 3.
- Partners of patients with sexually transmitted cervicitis should also be treated to prevent reinfection 2, 3.
Key Findings
- A recent study found that 75% of cervicitis cases did not have Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae detected, and of these cases, 32% had bacterial vaginosis and 3% had Mycoplasma genitalium as the sole infections detected 1.
- The proportion of cases tested for Mycoplasma genitalium increased over time, and detection of this infection also increased from 3% to 7% 1.