Cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the cervix, can cause irregular or no periods, painful periods, and infertility. It is often related to other conditions and can be diagnosed through a physical exam or Pap smear. Treatment involves dilation of the cervix and addressing underlying conditions.
Many women have cervical stenosis and don’t even know it. This is because even the most common cervical stenosis symptoms are not overly common for most women and can easily be mistaken for something else. Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the lower region of the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or uterus. The most common signs of cervical stenosis, although rare, include irregular or no periods, painful periods, and infertility in women who have not yet reached menopause.
In some rare cases, a woman may feel a lump in the lower abdomen because cervical stenosis can lead to a hematometra and cause the uterus to swell as pus and blood builds up inside the uterus. Cervical stenosis is often related to other conditions, such as cervical cancer or cancer treatments. Younger women may notice irregular periods or bleeding between periods, but this can also be a symptom of many other conditions. Painful periods are also common with other endometrial conditions.
Probably the most obvious of the symptoms of cervical stenosis would be a lack of menstruation in women who are still of childbearing age. Once pregnancy is ruled out, a physical exam is often done and can lead to a diagnosis of cervical stenosis. This symptom is uncommon, however, as many women don’t have a narrow enough cervix to prevent menstruation altogether. Postmenopausal women may not notice any changes.
When symptoms of cervical stenosis are present, they are often related to another underlying condition. Diseases such as cervical cancer can cause strictures as well as stomach pain and fatigue. This is the rarest cause of stricture, sometimes occurring as a result of treatment rather than the disease itself. For example, radiation treatment for cancer can sometimes cause cervical stenosis.
Diagnosing stricture involves trying to insert a probe into the cervix. This can show doctors how narrow the cervical opening has become. If no other conditions have been noted by that time, your doctor may do a Pap smear to rule out cervical cancer as a possible cause. Treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms.
Asymptomatic stricture is rarely treated unless it is caused by cancer. When treatment for symptoms of cervical stenosis is done, it generally involves the use of a device that dilates the cervix. Any underlying conditions should also be treated to prevent it from recurring.
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