6 Tips for a Healthy Cervix

Did you know January is dedicated to raising awareness about cervical health? Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus, which connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. It plays a vital role in reproduction and overall health. 

Keeping your cervix healthy is essential because issues like inflammation, abnormal growths, and cervical cancer can affect this small but vital part of your body. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to protect your cervical health starting today! 

1. Get Regular Screenings: Pap Smear and HPV Test

Screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. The Pap test (or Pap smear) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test are used to check for abnormal cells and HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer. 

Both tests involve gently collecting cells from your cervix for lab analysis. If precancerous cervical cell changes are found, they can be treated before they turn into cancer. HPV tests detect high-risk HPV types, while Pap smears examine cervical cells for abnormalities. 

Most cervical cancers occur in women who skip regular screenings, so stay on schedule and talk to your healthcare provider about your results and next steps.

2. Protect Yourself with the HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine helps prevent infection from virus types most commonly linked to cervical cancer. It also protects against some types that cause genital warts. 

It works best before exposure to HPV, so vaccination is recommended for children ages 9–12. Teens and young adults aged 26 and under who have not been vaccinated should receive the shots as soon as possible. The vaccine is administered in 2 or 3 doses, with side effects typically mild, such as soreness at the injection site. 

It is important to note that no vaccine provides complete protection against all cancer-causing HPV types, so regular cervical screenings are still essential. 

3. Limit HPV Exposure and Use Condoms

HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also spread without sex, such as through hand-to-genital contact. Since HPV is common and often has no symptoms, anyone can pass it on without knowing. 

You can lower your risk by limiting the number of sexual partners and being cautious of partners who have had many others. Using condoms also helps to reduce HPV transmission and related health issues like genital warts, cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer. While condoms do not fully protect against HPV because they do not cover all areas (like the scrotum), they are still one of the easiest ways to lower your risk when combined with regular screenings and vaccination. 

4. Exercise and Eat a Healthy Diet

Regular physical activity can help lower your risk of cervical cancer by strengthening the immune system, supporting hormonal balance, and reducing inflammation. With just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, you can make a meaningful difference in your health. 

You can also pair exercise with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These foods provide antioxidants and minerals that support your body’s fight against HPV infections and slow the process by which healthy cells become cancerous. Together, movement and nutrition support overall health and reduce your risk. 

5. Quit Smoking

Smoking exposes you and those around you to cancer-causing chemicals that affect more than just the lungs. These harmful substances are absorbed through the lungs and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. 

Women who smoke are about twice as likely to develop cervical cancer compared to those who do not. Tobacco products have been found in cervical mucus, and researchers believe these chemicals damage the DNA of cervical cells, ultimately increasing cancer risk. Smoking also weakens the immune system, which makes it harder to fight HPV infections. 

6. Understand the Risks of Long-Term Birth Control Use

Research shows that using oral contraceptives for many years (5+) can increase the risk of cervical cancer. The longer the use of oral contraceptives, the higher the risk of cervical cancer. Fortunately, the risk decreases after stopping the oral contraception and eventually returns to normal over time. Hormones in the oral contraceptive pills may influence cervical cells, potentially increasing cancer risk. If you plan to use birth control pills long-term, talk with your doctor about the benefits and potential risks. 

Resources

American Cancer Society: The HPV Test

American Cancer Society: Pap Tests

American Cancer Society; Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?

HCG Oncology

American Cancer Society: Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Frontiers in Pharmacology