While many women are born with cervical ectropion, it can be caused by a number of reasons, such as: Cervical ectropion can be associated with excessive, non-purulent vaginal discharge due to the increased surface area of columnar epithelium containing mucus-secreting glands as well as intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding outside of regular menses).

[1] It may also give rise to post-coital bleeding, as fine blood vessels present within the columnar epithelium are easily traumatized.

[2] It also may be a congenital problem by the persistence of the squamocolumnar junction which is normally present prior to birth.

[3] The squamocolumnar junction, where the columnar secretory epithelium of the endocervical canal meets the stratified squamous covering of the ectocervix, is located at the external os before puberty.

As estrogen levels rise during puberty, the cervical os opens, exposing the endocervical columnar epithelium onto the ectocervix.