Cervical Ectropion

Cervical ectropion means that the cells typically inside your cervix are visible on the outside of it. It isn’t a concerning condition. It’s just a difference in the way that cervical cells appear.

The outer and inner parts of your cervix consist of two types of cells:

• Squamous cells: These are on the outer part of your cervix. They provide a flat, pale pink surface like the lining inside your mouth.
• Glandular cells: These are typically on the inner part of your cervix. They give a textured surface with finger-like projections.

Cervical ectropion happens when glandular cells are visible on the outside of your cervix. Your gynecologist may notice it during a routine pelvic exam or Pap smear. It’s most common if you’re of reproductive age. Anywhere from 17% to 50% of females have this variation.

Since it’s a harmless condition, your healthcare provider likely won’t mention you have it.

Symptoms of cervical ectropion

Cervical ectropion doesn’t usually cause symptoms. But in rare cases, it can cause symptoms like:

• Vaginal discharge, which may contain blood or mucus — this is the most common symptom
• Light bleeding after sex
• Light bleeding (spotting) between your periods
• Pain during sex
• Pelvic pain
• Recurrent cervical inflammation

If you have these symptoms, it’s more likely that something other than cervical ectropion is causing them. See your healthcare provider if you notice changes so you can get a correct diagnosis.

Cervical ectropion causes

Increased estrogen levels can cause cervical ectropion. Because of this, you’re more likely to have cervical ectropion during:

• Adolescence
• Pregnancy
• The ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle

Taking estrogen-progestin contraceptives and cervical tears during childbirth may also lead to cervical ectropion. If you’ve gone through menopause, you’ll rarely have it.

How doctors diagnose this condition

There’s no need to diagnose cervical ectropion. Many women don’t even know they have it. Rather, it’s something your healthcare provider may notice during a test or procedure for something else, like a pelvic exam or colposcopy.

Does cervical ectropion need treatment?

Cervical ectropion rarely needs treatment. It tends to go away on its own over time. But if you have symptoms that affect your quality of life, treatment can help. Your healthcare provider will want to make sure your symptoms are coming from cervical ectropion and not something else.

They may prescribe boric acid suppositories to lessen symptoms. More intensive procedures can destroy cells that may be causing symptoms, including:

• Diathermy: A small tool delivers a high-heat blast to the out-of-place cervical cells. This prevents them from causing unpleasant symptoms.
• Cryotherapy: A probe delivers extreme cold that freezes the cells.

What’s the difference between cervical ectropion and cervical erosion?

Healthcare providers used to call cervical ectropion “cervical erosion.” But this name is misleading. Cells don’t wear away (erode) with cervical ectropion. Instead, your cervix turns inside out. This makes the glandular cells covering its inner portion visible from the outside.

Can cervical ectropion be cancer?

Cervical ectropion isn’t cancer and doesn’t increase your risk of cancer. But cervical cancer and cervical ectropion can cause the same symptoms, like bleeding after sex. This is why it’s important to see your healthcare provider if you’re having symptoms.

Can I still get pregnant with cervical ectropion?

Yes. Cervical ectropion isn’t a cause of infertility. It has no negative effects on pregnancy or the fetus.