The uterus is an important reproductive organ for women to gestate fetuses and produce menstruation. The cervical os is the opening of the cervix, which is also the channel for menstrual discharge and fetal delivery. Generally, if a woman has not given birth, the cervical os is round. If a woman has experienced vaginal delivery, the cervical os will be horizontally fissured in a straight line shape. If a woman has undergone cesarean section, the cervical os will also be round. Let's take a look at what a normal cervical os looks like:

What Does a Normal Cervical Os Look Like?

A normal cervix is smooth and rosy, and the cervical os is generally closed. There may be a small amount of mucus at the cervical os, which can appear thin and viscous with a stringy texture during ovulation, resembling glue. After sexual activity, women may experience cervical erosion. Most sexually active women will have some degree of cervical erosion, mostly mild, while some may experience moderate to severe erosion, manifesting as a change from smooth and rosy cervical epithelium to a rough, granular, and irregularly bordered erosion surface. Cervical erosion is generally a manifestation of chronic cervicitis, often caused by external forces such as sexual activity, leading to the stripping of cervical epithelium and exposure of the underlying tissue, followed by chronic inflammatory infection manifesting as rough erosion.

What to Do About Cervical Erosion?

Cervical erosion is a physiological change and does not require treatment. However, when cervical erosion is accompanied by infection or other symptoms such as increased secretions, bleeding during sexual intercourse, or bloody discharge, drug or physical treatment should be considered after a negative cytological examination. It is important to note that there is no direct relationship between "cervical erosion" and cervical cancer. Medical research has established that persistent oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. In other words, whether or not a woman will develop cervical cancer primarily depends on her HPV infection status. Nevertheless, it is recommended that women of reproductive age undergo regular cervical screenings to stay informed about their health status.