Erosion of the uterine mucosa is a very common condition diagnosed in women. It turns out that the very use of the name “erosion” is usually wrong and may raise unnecessary anxiety. This is because the lesion the doctor sees during the examination, most often referred to as an erosion, has another name: ectopy. This, in turn, is simply an ordinary physiological phenomenon that does not endanger the health of a woman in any way. What are these inaccuracies? How does ectopy, often wrongly called erosion, arise and what exactly is it? Dominika Trojnarska, MD, PhD, gynecologist-obstetrician of the Superior Medical Center from Krakow talks about it.
- Cervical ectomy is the displacement of the cylindrical epithelium lining the cervical canal to the vaginal part
- The term ‘erosion’ used in the context of these changes is incorrect
- In turn, true erosion (erosion) accounts for a negligible percentage of all changes. It is a consequence of chronic inflammation
- Ectica does not endanger a woman’s health
- More information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page
Ectopia, or …
Ectopy is nothing but a physiological phenomenon that occurs mainly in women of childbearing age. Fortunately, her character cannot be described as malicious in any way. On the other hand, true erosion (erosion), which constitutes a negligible percentage of all changes incorrectly labeled with this name, is a consequence of chronic inflammation and definitely qualifies for treatment. It can also be a symptom of precancerous conditions, although it is not itself the cause of cancer.
How does the described change arise? – As a result of the enlargement of the cervix, which is due to the action of estrogens, the glandular epithelium located in the cervical canal begins to reach the vaginal part of the cervix – where the squamous epithelium is mostly located – says CM Superior gynecologist.
– The exit of the glandular epithelium from the canal onto the vaginal part of the cervix is the ectopy. It arises naturally because it appears as a result of estrogen. It is more visible in some women than in others. In most cases, however, it does not cause any problems – argues Dominika Trojnarska, MD, PhD.
How can ectopy manifest?
Although usually it does not show any signs, it can also cause more or less bothersome symptoms – especially when it is a very well vascularized lesion. It can then cause spotting, for example after intercourse, but also unrelated to anything else. Sometimes the lesion may also show a greater bleeding tendency – if it is inflamed and more sensitive.
Due to the fact that ectopy is a glandular epithelium, in pregnant women – as a result of the action of pregnancy hormones, it turns into the so-called temporal change. Therefore, in this case, the ectopes are usually even more visible, showing a greater tendency to spotting. However, it is worth repeating once again that even then they are not dangerous to health in any way.
– If ectopic bleeding is actually bothersome, if there is inflammation, of course it should be treated. If the doctor notices that the bleeding is taking place from an ectopic vessel, he can close it with special solutions, and if it does not bring the expected results, laser therapy can be tried, possibly by burning the lesion through coagulation – explains the doctor CM Superior.
How to detect a change?
Detecting ectopy is not a big problem for the doctor. You can see this change when you test with a speculum. Before performing any procedures, it is also advisable to have a colposcopy, i.e. a careful examination of the cervix under magnification using a special device – a colposcope.
Thanks to this, the doctor is able to detect possible precancerous and sometimes even cancerous changes in the cervix, which – like ectopy – can also cause spotting or bleeding.
Dominika Trojnarska, MD, PhD is a gynecologist-obstetrician. She completed her studies in Poland, and gained her specialization in Germany in 2018. In the meantime, she also trained, among others in the United States, Ireland and Austria.
In his work, he deals mainly with general gynecology, but also with oncology. Currently he specializes in in colposcopy and diagnosis of breast diseases.
Is therapy necessary?
If the lesion is asymptomatic, it cannot lead to any undesirable conditions either. Therefore, in such cases, it also does not need to be treated. Especially since entering the perimenopause, the level of estrogen in a woman’s body drops and the cervix becomes smaller.
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Consequently, the ectopy disappears by itself as the glandular epithelium re-enters the cervical canal. Therefore, postmenopausal women no longer struggle with this problem.
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