gynecology and obstetrics
Cervical Stenosis
Introduction
Cervical stenosis is a narrowing or occlusion (stricture) of the internal cervical os. It is typically asymptomatic but may cause dysmenorrhea or, rarely, infertility. Diagnosis is with pelvic examination. Treatment is expectant management or dilation. Cervical stenosis may be congenital or acquired. Themost common acquired causes of cervical stenosisare Menopause Cervical surgery (eg, conization, cautery) Endometrial ablation procedures to treat uterine abnormalities that cause menorrhagia Cervical or uterine cancer Radiation therapy Cervical stenosis may be complete or partial. It may result in the following: Hematometra (accumulation of blood in the uterus), causing pelvic pain or dysmenorrhea In premenopausal women, retrograde flow of menstrual blood into the pelvis, possibly causing Endometriosis None Pyometra (accumulation of pus in the uterus), particularly in women with cervical or uterine cancer Rarely infertility 