Acute cervicitis is an inflammatory condition of the cervix usually caused by an infection. Common infections include gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomonas, Gardnerella, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and herpes. Acute cervicitis can also be due to irritation of the cervix from trauma, intercourse, instrumentation, foreign body, chemicals, or allergies. Rarely, this could be caused by a malignancy.

This condition can occur at any age but is more common in younger patients. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners and having unprotected intercourse. Although the condition can be asymptomatic, patients may present with vaginal complaints including discharge, burning, pain with intercourse, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or bleeding with / after intercourse.

There is a chronic version of this condition as well.