Cervicitis  is inflammation of the uterine cervix. Cervicitis in women has many features in common with urethritis in men and many cases are caused by sexually transmitted infections. Non-infectious causes of cervicitis can include intrauterine devices, contraceptive diaphragms, and allergic reactions to spermicides or latex condoms. Cervicitis affects over half of all women during their adult life.Cervicitis may ascend and cause endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Cervicitis may be acute or chronic. Symptoms and signs
Cervicitis may have no symptoms. If symptoms do manifest, they may include:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse between periods
Unusual gray, white, or yellow vaginal discharge
Painful sexual intercourse
Pain in the vagina
Pressure or heaviness in the pelvis
Frequent, painful urination

Causes
Cervicitis can be caused by any of a number of infections, of which the most common are chlamydia and gonorrhea, with chlamydia accounting for approximately 40% of cases. Other causes include Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus, and Mycoplasma genitalium.While sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common cause of cervicitis, there are other potential causes as well. This includes vaginitis caused by bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis. This also includes a device inserted into the pelvic area (i.e. a cervical cap, IUD, pessary, etc. ); an allergy to spermicides or latex in condoms; or, exposure to a chemical, for example while douching. Inflammation can also be idiopathic, where no specific cause is found. While IUDs do not cause cervicitis, active cervicitis is a contraindication to placing an IUD.
If a person with an IUD develops cervicitis, it usually does not need to be removed, if the person wants to continue using it.There are also certain behaviors that can place individuals at a higher risk for contracting cervicitis. High-risk sexual behavior, a history of STIs, many sexual partners, sex at an early age, and sexual partners who engage in high-risk sexual behavior or have had an STI can increase the likelihood of contracting cervicitis. Diagnosis
To diagnose cervicitis, a clinician will perform a pelvic exam. This exam includes a speculum exam with visual inspection of the cervix for abnormal discharge, which is usually purulent or bleeding from the cervix with little provocation. Swabs can be used to collect a sample of this discharge for inspection under a microscope and/or lab testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and Trichomonas vaginalis. A bimanual exam in which the clinician palpates the cervix to see if there is any associated pain should be done to assess for pelvic inflammatory disease. Prevention
The risk of contracting cervicitis from STIs can be reduced by using condoms during every sexual encounter. Condoms are effective against the spread of STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea that cause cervicitis. Also, being in a long-term monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner can lower the risk of an STI.Ensuring that foreign objects like tampons are properly placed in the vagina and following instructions how long to leave it inside, how often to change it, and/or how often to clean it can reduce the risk of cervicitis.