Discovering a bump on the cervix can be concerning. While many cervical changes are benign, any new or unusual findings warrant medical evaluation. A healthcare professional can accurately diagnose the cause and determine if treatment or monitoring is necessary. Understanding potential causes can help alleviate anxiety and highlights the importance of timely medical consultation.
Common Benign Causes
Many cervical bumps are harmless. One frequent type is a Nabothian cyst, which forms when mucus-secreting glands on the cervix become blocked by an overgrowth of skin cells. These cysts are typically small, smooth, and appear as white or yellowish raised bumps. They are filled with mucus, are not a threat to health, and often require no treatment.
Another common benign growth is a cervical polyp. These are soft, reddish, finger-like tissue growths that protrude into the cervical passageway. While non-cancerous, they can sometimes cause light bleeding, especially after sexual activity or between menstrual periods. Cervical polyps can vary in size and may be caused by chronic inflammation or infection.
Cervical ectropion, sometimes called cervical erosion, is another common condition that can make the cervix appear different, though it is not truly a bump. This occurs when soft glandular cells normally found inside the cervical canal are present on the outer surface. These exposed cells are redder and more sensitive, which can sometimes lead to spotting, light bleeding after sex, or unusual discharge. Cervical ectropion is a normal physiological variation, particularly common in younger women, during pregnancy, or due to hormonal birth control, and it is not a disease.
Other Potential Causes
Beyond common benign conditions, other factors can lead to a cervical bump. Cervical fibroids, also known as myomas, are non-cancerous growths that typically develop in the muscle tissue of the uterus. Although rare, fibroids can also grow on the cervix or protrude into the cervical canal. They are often asymptomatic, but larger ones might cause symptoms.
Genital warts are small, flesh-colored or whitish growths caused by certain strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. These warts can appear on the cervix and other genital areas. While the HPV strains causing warts are generally different from those causing cancer, their presence indicates an HPV infection.
Cervical dysplasia involves abnormal cell changes on the cervix, most often due to HPV infection. These changes are not typically felt as a distinct bump but are important to detect because they are precancerous. Dysplasia can range from mild to severe, and without intervention, severe cases could progress to cancer over time. These cellular changes are usually identified through routine cervical screenings like a Pap test.
In rare instances, a cervical bump could be a sign of cervical cancer. Early-stage cervical cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular screenings. As cancer progresses, it might cause symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding (after sex, between periods, or after menopause), unusual discharge, or pelvic pain. Medical evaluation is important to differentiate between benign conditions and more serious possibilities.
When to Consult a Doctor
Consult a healthcare provider for any new or unexplained bump or change on the cervix. Prompt medical attention is important if you experience certain accompanying symptoms. These include unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause.
Abnormal vaginal discharge, particularly if it has an unusual color, odor, or consistency, also warrants a doctor’s visit. Pelvic pain or discomfort that is new or persistent, or pain during sexual intercourse, are additional symptoms requiring evaluation. Even without alarming symptoms, concern about a cervical finding is a valid reason to seek professional medical advice.
Medical Evaluation and Management
When consulting a healthcare provider about a cervical bump, evaluation typically begins with a thorough pelvic exam. During this exam, the doctor will visually inspect the cervix. If a bump or abnormality is observed, several diagnostic procedures may follow to determine its nature. A Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is a common cervical screening tool where cells are collected from the cervix and examined under a microscope for abnormal changes.
If Pap test results are abnormal, or if visual inspection warrants further investigation, a colposcopy may be performed. This procedure uses a specialized magnifying instrument to provide a closer, illuminated view of the cervix, allowing the doctor to identify any suspicious areas. During colposcopy, a small tissue sample, called a biopsy, may be taken from any abnormal-looking areas for laboratory analysis to confirm a diagnosis.
Management strategies for cervical bumps vary significantly based on the diagnosis. Harmless conditions like Nabothian cysts often require no treatment and may simply be observed. Cervical polyps can typically be removed during a simple in-office procedure, often by gently twisting them off or using special forceps. Fibroids that are symptomatic or large may require removal.
Genital warts can be treated with topical medications, freezing (cryotherapy), or surgical removal, though the underlying HPV infection remains. For precancerous changes (dysplasia), treatment might involve procedures like cryosurgery, laser therapy, or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove or destroy the abnormal cells. In the rare event of cervical cancer, treatment plans are more comprehensive and tailored to the stage and type of cancer, potentially involving surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.