How Cervical Erosion Affects Pregnancy

Cervical erosion is a condition in which cervical cells that are normally found in the cervical canal are found at the neck of the cervix, according to Made for Mums. This ultimately causes inflammation, which increases the risk of bleeding during/after sex or in between periods and vaginal discharge. Many women experience cervical erosion during pregnancy. Here are some of the things that you should know about how this gynecological condition can affect your pregnancy.

Does Preexisting Cervical Erosion Make it Difficult to Get Pregnant?

Cervical erosion is not a cause of infertility. It can make having sexual intercourse more uncomfortable, however, as it may cause you to experience bleeding during or afterwards. If you are unable to become pregnant within one year or six months if you are 35 or older, it is important to talk to your doctor about other possible causes of infertility. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can cause cervical erosion, can lead to fertility problems if they are left untreated.

Why Does Cervical Erosion Commonly Occur During Pregnancy?

One of the potential causes of cervical erosion is changes in estrogen levels. Many women experience cervical erosion for the very first time while they are pregnant due to the increase in estrogen levels that occur during this time. Of course, some women may have experienced this problem in the past due to estrogen changes with birth control pill use.

Can Other Causes of Cervical Erosion Affect Pregnancy?

It is important to note that the hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy are often the cause of cervical erosion, but there are other possible causes. Some of these can be harmful to your pregnancy. Bacterial vaginosis, which is a vaginal infection that has been linked to miscarriage and other pregnancy complications, is one of the potential causes of cervical erosion. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital warts from HPV are also possible causes. Your doctor should test you for STDs and vaginal infections.

Is Cervical Erosion Dangerous During Pregnancy?

In general, cervical erosion is not a serious health condition that you should worry about during pregnancy. It has not been linked to pregnancy complications. Cervical erosion may cause bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, however, which can be mistaken as a sign of miscarriage. Women who experience vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse due to cervical erosion will generally be recommended to wait to have sex until the second trimester, however, according to Made for Mums.

Overall, it is important to keep in mind that cervical erosion does not cause infertility. While it can cause vaginal bleeding, which can be scary during pregnancy, it has not been linked to pregnancy complications. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any further questions about how cervical erosion affects pregnancy.

Sources:

iVillage.com, "Cervical erosion: Bleeding in early pregnancy due to cervical erosion."

Made for Mums, "What is Eroded Cervix?"