Cervicitis and Vulvovaginitis

Cervicitis is inflammation and irritation of uterine cervix often caused by sexually transmitted infection (STI); it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, and pregnancy complications. Vulvovaginitis (inflammation of vagina and/or vulva with itching, erythema, and mucopurulent discharge) may or may not be related to STI. Sexually active women 25 years or younger with STIs should be offered empiric treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia in addition to counseling regarding safe sex and testing for syphilis, HIV, and viral hepatitis at the time of presentation and prior to nucleic acid amplification testing results. Sexual partners of women testing positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis should be informed and treated to prevent reinfection, with patients and their partners abstaining from intercourse until treatment is complete and symptoms resolve. High-risk patients with STI should be retested at 6 months given recurrent infection rates. Prophylaxis, vaccination, high degree of suspicion, and early intervention can help improve morbidity and mortality.