What is the cervix for

What is the Cervix and What Does it Do?

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. If you have a cervix, it’s important to stay on top of your cervical health. If you are 21 or older, or sexually active (no matter your age), you should get regular Pap smears. You can talk with your gynecologist to figure out how often you need to go. Typically, it’s every 1 to 3 years, depending on cervical and overall health. 

We know we should be keeping up with our cervical health, but what even is the cervix? What does it do? Where exactly is it? What does it look like??

What is the cervix?

The cervix is essentially a tube or passage that connects your vagina to your uterus. The vagina is the internal canal, and your uterus is your womb, where a fetus would develop. The cervix is fairly small, about an inch to two inches, and it’s shaped a little bit like a donut. It’s like a smooth, fleshy donut with a small opening. Think of a small opening on either end that looks like pursed lips.  

Although the cervix is fairly small, the actual structure is pretty complex. The low end of the cervix closest to the vaginal opening is called the ectocervix. The middle area that’s like a small tube is called the endocervix or endocervical canal. The opening of the cervix closest to the vagina is called the external Os, and the opening of the cervix closest to the uterus is called the internal Os. The area where the endocervix and ectocervix overlap is called the transformation zone. Sorry to sound so much like a science fiction movie, but those are the names. Who knew there could be so much terminology for such a small body part? 

What does the cervix do?

The cervix has many functions, and its health is essential, which is why regular Pap smears are so important.

It helps facilitate pregnancy, clean your vagina, and grows a mucus plug when you’re pregnant. The mucus plug is at the opening closest to the vagina and keeps out bacteria and infection so the fetus is safe.

The opening of the cervix is very small and expands only slightly to let discharge, menstrual blood, or sperm pass through. Your cervix is the reason that a tampon or other object doesn’t get lost in your body. The cervical opening only expands to be really large during childbirth. 

The cervix is also responsible for creating discharge to help clean your vagina. Discharge, a.k.a cervical mucus, changes throughout your menstrual cycle. 

The cervix is smart enough to naturally change its positioning and consistency throughout your cycle. When you’re ovulating and your body releases an egg to be fertilized, your cervix is positioned high up in your body and is soft. Your cervical mucus will be thin and slippery, helping get sperm into your uterus. The softness of the cervix and high positioning near the uterus also helps lead the sperm to your eggs for fertilization. During other points in your cycle when you’re not ovulating, the cervix sits lower in your body and is a bit harder and feels more like the tip of your nose. You can actually feel your cervix if you slowly feel around past your vaginal canal.

The cervix during sex

Besides being essential to all of functions of reproductive health, the cervix can also serve as a source of pleasure during penetrative sex. Since the cervical opening is so small, it is impossible for it to be penetrated with a penis or sex toy, but it can provide a sense of pleasure if it’s bumped up against during penetrative sex. Because the cervix sits at the top of the vaginal canal, it is pretty far in your body and can only be reached during deep penetration. 

For some people the cervix being stimulated during deep vaginal penetration feels awesome and pleasurable, but for some people it can be uncomfortable or even painful. If you ever experience cervical stimulation, pay attention to how it feels and communicate that with your partner so you don’t hurt yourself.

Take care of the small-but-mighty cervix

The cervix is an incredible part of the female anatomy. It keeps bacteria out of your uterus, produces discharge to clean your vagina, and changes its positioning to help facilitate or protect a pregnancy. Because your cervix is so essential to your reproductive and sexual health, make sure you get regular Pap smears. If you’re over 21 or sexually active, contact your gynecologist to figure out how often you should have yours.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Cervix

13 May 2019

Posted in

• Ask the Doctor
• Health Across Oklahoma
• General Health
• Female Health

You might be surprised to learn how few women are familiar with their own reproductive system. In a recent study, only 44 percent of women were able to correctly identify the cervix.

Did you know that about 12,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year? According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 4,000 of diagnosed women die from cervical cancer. This occurs even though there is a vaccine for the most common cause of cervical cancer, which is often underutilized.

This week is Women’s Health Week. Let’s start at the beginning and have an open discussion about what the cervix is, where to find it, and how to keep yours healthy.

What is your cervix and where is it?

Unlike other parts of the female reproductive system like the vagina, ovaries, and labia, the cervix doesn’t get much attention. "The cervix is a part of the uterus," says Dr. Gregory Root, who is an OB-GYN at INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon. "It is located at the end of the vagina and acts as the opening point into the uterus where sperm can travel to reach eggs and potentially lead to fertilization. "

The cervix makes up the lower third of the uterus and connects to the vaginal canal. It isn’t very large, only about 3-5 centimeters thick and 2-3 centimeters across.

What does your cervix do?

The cervix acts as the door to the uterus which sperm can travel through to fertilize eggs. When your body is not carrying a child, your cervix helps keep unhealthy things out of your body, like tampons and bath water. When you’re pregnant, the cervix helps keep the baby in place until it’s fully developed.

"The cervix has many functions," Dr. Root says. "Probably the most important is its role in childbirth. The cervix is needed to prevent preterm labor and cue the body to dilate at the right time and enable a child to be born vaginally."

The shape and color of your cervix varies slightly throughout your menstrual and life cycles.

How do you take care of your cervix?

Since your cervix is vital to feminine health, it’s important to do your best to keep it healthy and functioning properly.

"The cervix is usually damaged through childbirth," Dr. Root says. "There is also concern for the cancer-causing risks of attracting the human papillomaviruses (HPV) through unprotected sexual intercourse."

Damage caused during childbirth can heal as the body does, while at other times it may need help from your doctor. If this happens to you or a loved one, it’s important to talk with your doctor and follow his or her advice. Future childbirth can become more difficult if the cervix doesn’t heal properly.

HPV is a common virus with many variations, which are all spread by skin-to-skin contact and can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual intercourse. While some types of HPV can cause changes to a woman’s cervix that can have deadly effects over time, other types cause skin or genital warts.

Generally, a woman’s body will clear the HPV from her system quickly, but this is not always the case. The deadly form of the HPV virus begins to change the cells from normal to abnormal — and while the abnormal cells can often be healed by the body — they could also lead to cervical cancer if not found by a doctor and removed.

"If the HPV virus is contracted, it can lead to cervical cancer which is one of the deadliest cancers in the world," Dr. Root says. "There is no pill or medication to rid your body of cancer-causing HPV. Safe sex using the protection of a latex condom is of utmost importance."

How do you avoid cervical cancer?

Even though cervical cancer is extremely deadly if not detected until it has advanced, it's easy to prevent and treat with early detection.

Once a woman is 21 years old, or when she becomes sexually active, it’s important to see an OB-GYN to begin screening with Pap smears. If abnormal cells are detected in early stages, actions can be taken to remove them before they even turn into cancer.

Another step to prevent cervical cancer is to get a series of highly effective shots developed for cervical, vaginal, penile and anal cancer protection. The HPV vaccine is available for both men and women and is most effective if given to a person before he or she becomes sexually active. A study published in the journal Pediatrics shows that in the decade since the vaccine became available, there has been a sharp decline in the number of U.S. women who enter adulthood infected with HPV.

"It’s so important," says Dr. Root. "The CDC recommends all women should receive the vaccination. Around the age of 12 years old is the ideal time to receive it, but it is thought to be beneficial up to the age of 40."

How big is the problem of cervical cancer in Oklahoma?

"People still die every year in the state of Oklahoma from cervical cancer," Dr. Root says. "Reasons like under-vaccination, the unavailability of Pap smear screening to low-income populations and non-compliance with screenings are often the cause."

To keep your cervix healthy and whole, get vaccinated, use safe sex practices with a condom, and get screened by your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor or are looking for a new one, visit the INTEGRIS Health website for resources.

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Cervix: general information, structure

Consultation with a specialist:

The structure of the cervix and its functions

The organ has a cylindrical shape, and its inner part is a hollow “tube” lined with epithelial tissue.

The cervix is ​​divided into two regions:

1. Vaginal. Enters the vaginal cavity. It has a convex shape. Lined with stratified squamous epithelium. nine0016
2. Supravaginal. Lies above the vagina. Lined with columnar epithelium.

The area where the squamous epithelium of the vaginal part changes to the cylindrical epithelium of the cervical canal is called the transformation zone.

The cervical canal is the central part of the cervix. It has an internal pharynx that goes to the body of the uterus, as well as an external one facing the vagina - it is seen by the gynecologist when examining the patient. In nulliparous women, the external os has a round or oval shape, in those who have given birth, it is slit-like. The channel always contains a certain amount of mucus. nine0003

Cervical mucus is a biological fluid, the importance of which in a woman's reproductive health can hardly be overestimated.

It has antibacterial properties and prevents penetration into the uterine cavity infection. When a woman becomes pregnant, the cervical canal is closed with a dense mucous plug, which reliably protects the fetus from pathogenic microorganisms.

The rheological characteristics of cervical mucus change depending on the woman's monthly cycle. During ovulation and menstruation, it becomes more fluid. In the first case, it helps the sperm to move through the canal, which means it promotes conception. In the second, it facilitates the outflow of menstrual blood. nine0003

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Pregnancy cervix

The task of the cervix during this period is to protect the fetus from infection and prevent abortion or premature birth.

Shortly after conception, the following changes occur in it:

• The pink surface of the channel becomes bluish due to the increased pattern of blood vessels. This is facilitated by intensive blood circulation in the uterus. nine0016
• The mucous membrane becomes softer. This is also due to increased blood circulation and mucus secretion.
• The cervix descends lower, and the lumen of the canal narrows and is tightly “sealed” with a cork.

According to these changes, the gynecologist can visually determine pregnancy a few weeks after conception.

As the fetus develops in the womb, the length of the cervix gradually decreases. It is very important that it matches the gestational age, since a too short neck can threaten miscarriage or premature birth. nine0003

In the third trimester, the cervix becomes shorter, softer, and closer to childbirth, it begins to open slightly. The mucus plug may come off within a few weeks of labor.

Cervix and childbirth

Before the onset of active labor activity, the organ shortens to 1 cm and its anatomical position changes. The neck, previously directed slightly backward, moves to the center and is located under the head of the child. nine0003

As labor proceeds, the cervix shortens and smoothes, and its lumen gradually opens so that the baby's head can pass through it. Full dilatation of the cervix - about 10 cm.

At the first birth, the internal os opens first, and then the external one. With subsequent disclosure occurs at the same time, so childbirth is faster.

Diseases of the cervix

Diseases of this organ are divided into the following types: nine0003

1. Background - not associated with malignant processes.
2. Precancerous (dysplasia) - there are areas with damaged cell structure (atypical cells), but without malignant changes.
3. Cancer - malignant changes in the cellular structure.

Most of the diseases of the cervix occur without symptoms. In some cases, they may be accompanied by increased discharge, discomfort during sexual contact, bloody discharge. But even cervical cancer can give severe symptoms only at a late stage, when the disease is difficult to treat. nine0003

Cervical pathology can only be detected by specialized methods during a gynecological examination.

These methods include:

• Cytology smear (PAP test). Allows you to suspect the presence of atypical cells and the degree of their damage, to identify the inflammatory process in the cervix. Based on the results of the Pap test, further examination of the patient is performed.
• Colposcopy. Visual examination of the mucous membrane of an organ using an optical device - a colposcope. During colposcopy, various tests can be performed to identify damaged areas, as well as a tissue fragment (biopsy) is taken to perform a histological examination. nine0016
• Histological analysis. The study of the cellular structure of the selected biomaterial under a microscope. The diagnosis of "dysplasia" and "cervical cancer" can only be made based on the results of histology.
• Flora smear. It is performed to identify pathogenic flora and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics and antimycotics (antifungal drugs). The analysis is necessary for organizing the treatment of inflammatory processes.

Your doctor may also order blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human papillomavirus (HPV). Some strains of HPV are oncogenic and provoke dysplasia and cervical cancer. nine0003

Oncological processes of the cervix are formed rather slowly, passing through three stages of dysplasia - mild, moderate and severe. And even the third degree of dysplasia can be treated with full preservation of the reproductive function of a woman.

Early stage cervical cancer also has a favorable prognosis for the patient if treatment was started on time. Whether the organ will be preserved at the same time, the doctor decides according to indications.

At later stages, a radical hysterectomy is practiced - removal of the uterus with appendages, pelvic lymph nodes and the upper region of the vagina. nine0003

We repeat that dysplasia and subsequently cervical cancer develop slowly, almost asymptomatically, but are easily diagnosed during a medical examination. Whether a woman gets this type of cancer or not is largely a matter of her personal responsibility. An annual visit to a gynecologist for preventive examinations will protect you from this serious illness and preserve your reproductive health.

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The cervix will tell everything about women's health

September 21, 2017

Author of the article: Pchelnikova Marina Anatolyevna, obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist

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Although ladies, unlike men, are more reverent about their health, they tend to self-medicate, finding recipes on the Internet and from girlfriends. Even when it comes to the intimate sphere. Gynecologists very often have to deal not so much with the disease as with the consequences of self-treatment.

The intimate sphere of a woman is unique in that it reflects all her habits, lifestyle, important events and much more. As many specialists in the field of gynecology note, the examination and treatment of the cervix is ​​​​an interesting and even fascinating process. The cervix is ​​an open book, by which one can understand how a woman grew, how she matured, what her hormonal background was, what she was sick with, how she gave birth. It's like an open book, which, even without a survey, anamnesis, allows you to get a huge amount of information about the life, health and well-being of a lady. nine0003

Every year, more than 500,000 women in the world are diagnosed with cervical cancer for the first time. The main reason is untimely or poor-quality diagnostics.

Risk group

The risk group includes women who have an early onset of sexual activity, have many sexual partners, women who have had sexually transmitted infections and who have not been very effectively treated. There is a high probability of detecting various pathologies and diseases of the cervix in women with chronic diseases of the female genital area, frequent exacerbations and relapses. Women who are carriers of the papillomavirus - one of the causative agents of oncological diseases, are also at risk nine0003

Prevention of pathologies and diseases of the cervix

And again about prevention. Many preventive measures can be offered. This is a healthy lifestyle, and vaccination against the human papillomavirus. But the simplest and most effective is a periodic preventive examination. Don't be lazy! This should be done at least twice a year and, which is very important, with the same “own” gynecologist. In order to assess your condition in dynamics.

A preventive examination should include not only screening studies, such as oncocytology, but also extended colposcopy, ultrasound of the pelvic organs. And if, during the examination, suspicious formations are detected, it is mandatory to do a blood test for a tumor marker.

Thus, it is the timely examination of the cervix that is the main preventive measure to prevent cancer, diseases of the cervix that lead to chronic cervicitis. The latter, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences, including infertility. nine0003

Do not get treated on the Internet

A consultation with a gynecologist should become the same habit as brushing your teeth twice a day. Therefore, the most important thing is the proper upbringing of girls. From a young age, periodic medical examinations, as mentioned above at least twice a year, should become the norm. And in no case, when it comes to such a delicate area as intimate health, one should not self-medicate. Trust in false authorities, the Internet can lead to the fact that a girl will lose the ability to give a new life, to become a mother. And, in fact, because of the reasons that are very easily eliminated with early diagnosis and a professional approach. The Internet is not a doctor, it cannot determine the individual characteristics of the body, collect anamnesis and diagnose the disease. nine0003

Specialists of the clinic "Medservice" - gynecologists carry out a thorough examination of their patients, their dynamic monitoring, including accompanied by related specialists. We have at our disposal the whole range of the necessary expert-class diagnostic equipment, which allows us to identify the nature of pathologies at the earliest stages. Under these conditions, if the lady observes the frequency of visiting a gynecologist, the restoration and preservation of women's health becomes a pleasant and productive process. nine0003

Author of article

Pchelnikova Marina Anatolievna

obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist

The specialist is distinguished by a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to the problem of women's health, combining the methods and tools of gynecology, endocrinology and other areas of medicine. She pays great attention not only to the physiological problems of a woman, but also to her inner world, the restoration of spiritual and spiritual harmony and integrity of a person. nine0003

M.A. Pchelnikova, along with the latest methods, uses time-tested recipes of traditional medicine, homeopathy and oriental practices for restoring health. He has a high level of patient confidence, which he considers one of the factors for the effectiveness of consultations and treatment. “After consultations with Marina Anatolyevna, as if wings grow, we begin to fly,” some patients say.

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September 8, 2019

Radiosurgery in gynecology

Radiosurgery is an effective and simple surgical technique that uses radio waves as a knife. The article discusses examples of the use of radiosurgery, including in the Medservice clinic

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