Cervical lymph nodes are tiny hollow structures located just below the surface of the skin on the outside of each side of the cervix. They’re part of the immune system and are important in fighting infections and other diseases. They happen at a slightly irregular time, either chains or at more regularly spaced intervals in the cervix.
Cervical nodes are usually quite fragile. However, they aren’t as delicate as they look. A few minor scratches to the nodes will make them swell. It may take a few months to heal, but it’s generally not very uncomfortable.
Cervical nodes cannot be detected by ultrasound or other laboratory methods used to find the underlying cause of the disease. But they can be felt by the doctor, like any other part of the cervix that is touched. If something is wrong, there will be pain.
Even if the cervix is healthy, there may be minor problems that could be signs of serious illness. Sometimes people who have painful sex have white or yellowish vaginal discharge. It is often caused by bacteria that have passed through the cervix into the vagina. The discharge can be thick or watery. This symptom can also indicate a premenopausal problem such as endometriosis, anemia, or a condition called PCOS.
Painful and swollen cervical nodes can be symptoms of cervical cancer. These are benign tumors that grow on the cervix. Cancer is uncommon, but can be treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Symptoms include soreness, pain, and bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
Cervical nodes that are thin or inflamed will also have symptoms. They may be red, swollen, or painful, and may be accompanied by unusual discharge.
Menopause is the period of time when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops. Menopause is commonly referred to as the last period in a woman, which occurs about three to five months after a woman begins her period. Some women have dry, white or gray skin, but others have very oily, pink skin.
The immune system’s most important weapon against infection is the C-reactive protein (CRP), a molecule that the body produces naturally in its system called the C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein plays an important role in helping the body fight off infections. When the body produces too much CRP, the body is weakened and can’t fight off infection the way it should.
Women who are in their fifties or older are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer, especially those who smoke, have a family history of cancer and have a low immune system. There are several factors that contribute to the risk for developing cancer, including age, race and ethnicity, smoking and drinking alcohol.
One of the ways that cervical cancer is detected early is through Pap smears. These are thin circular swabs that are taken from the cervix using a finger.
The main symptom for cervical cancer is pain, and there are two types of pain. First is the general burning that are felt in the neck and back, and neck region surrounding the head and throat. Second is the pain felt near the neck and shoulder, and around the ear.
In most cases of cancer, doctors do not do a physical exam during a doctor’s office visit. However, an examination of the cervix will help a doctor determine if cancer is present.
When you feel pain in the neck and around the ear or head, see a doctor’s office visit may not be the best time to get treated. There is no need for tests at this time.
