The Gatekeeper of the Vagina

Get to Know Your Cervix

I’ve always taken my cervix for granted. I’ve put it into the “bits down there” category. As long as my cervix does its job and doesn’t cause me any problems, I’m happy. So my cervix and I have been strangers. Like the guy from accounts that works two floors up. You know he pays your invoices. You nod and smile as he passes you in the corridor. You might even know his name. But that’s where the relationship stops. He could breed Chihuahuas, have four kids and a passion for collecting vintage surfboards. You’ve never stopped to ask. That’s how my relationship with my cervix has worked. Up until now.

As it turns out cervixes are fascinating, and pretty friendly when you get to know them (just like that guy in accounts, go on say hello).

Your cervix is the part of the uterus that opens out into the vagina. The word cervix is derived from Latin and means neck. It plays the important role of gatekeeper. It lets sperm in, and menstrual blood out. It keeps infections and other nasties at bay and, when you’re pregnant, it holds your growing baby safely inside.

All that from a body part that averages three to four centimetres in length. If that hasn’t aroused your curiosity these seven facts about your cervix might:

Your cervix is shaped like a donut

It’s round with a hole in the middle. If you haven’t given birth vaginally, this hole will be small and round if you have it will be more like a slit.

If you’re curious, The Beautiful Cervix Project has online photo galleries or order a self-examination kit so you can get intimate with your cervix.

Your cervix changes all the time

It moves up and down, is sometimes hard and sometimes soft. Sometimes it has a little opening (to let sperm in and menstrual blood out) and sometimes it’s shut tight. Your cervix is constantly changing depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

It’s a matchmaker

That’s right, sperm has a friend on the inside! Your cervical mucus is aiding and abetting your partner’s sperm. It nurtures and protects the sperm, helps it stay alive and smooths the way into your uterus and up to your fallopian tubes. I’ll bet it even coaches the sperm on the dos and don’ts of the first date.

It’s stubborn

A little like that friend who won’t make room on the couch for you. Your cervix, which is made mostly from cartilage, doesn’t stretch to accommodate a growing foetus.

Your cervix is your baby’s hero

While it may not stretch to accommodate your foetus, your cervix keeps your baby safe. It does this by providing a custom made plug, formed from mucus. This plug shuts the cervix, creating a sterile environment in which your baby can safely grow, and ensuring your baby doesn’t escape too early.

Then, when you reach the end of your pregnancy, the cervix thins and widens (or dilates) to approximately ten centimetres, creating a doorway for your baby to step out into the world.

Your cervix is vulnerable

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for almost 100% of cervical cancer cases. This virus is spread by skin to skin contact, and wearing a condom doesn’t guarantee you won’t be infected (as the condom doesn’t cover all of the male genitalia).

Further, it’s estimated that eight out of ten Australians will have a HPV infection at some point in their life. Most of these infections pass unnoticed. The infection causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. Most importantly, most of these infections don’t result in cancer.

Your cervix needs to see the doctor

They’re embarrassing, uncomfortable and unpleasant. But Pap Smears save lives, so take your cervix to the doctor.

In Australia deaths from cervical cancer have halved since 1991 when the National Cervical Screening Program began. This program recommends women between the ages of 18 and 70, who have had sex, have a Pap Smear every two years.

During a Pap Smear, your doctor will open your vagina with a speculum and take a sample of cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a laboratory and checked for abnormalities.

Having a Pap Smear is important even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, as the vaccine doesn’t protect you from all strains of HPV.

With all this responsibility, and risk, it’s worthwhile getting to know your cervix.