The standard list of examinations in women when planning a pregnancy includes a smear on the microflora from the vagina. This analysis allows you to assess the state of the microflora of the vagina, cervix and urethra, as well as to identify the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. In this article, we will analyze how a smear is taken and what problems it helps to recognize.
A smear on the microflora allows you to recognize infectious and inflammatory processes of the genital organs.
Of course, a smear can be taken without prior preparation, but to get the right result, you need to follow the recommendations of a gynecologist:
Important! Ideally, a smear in gynecology is taken 4-5 days after the end of menstruation, on days 3-5 of the cycle.
Before taking the test, women worry about how they take a smear and whether it hurts. In fact, there is nothing special about this. The woman is in the gynecological chair, and the doctor with a sterile swab or a special instrument takes the contents from three zones:
This study is relatively painless. Some sensitive women may complain of mild discomfort, which is most likely due to psychological reasons.
A flora smear is a relatively painless procedure.
In healthy women, most of the microorganisms that are contained in a vaginal smear are lactobacilli (lactobacilli). They are gram-positive lactic acid bacteria that, during their metabolism, can produce lactic acid, lysozyme, hydrogen peroxide and other active substances.
The main function of lactobacilli in women is to maintain an acidic environment in the vagina and protect the genital tract from the penetration of pathogenic agents.
Important! With a decrease in the number of these bacteria, vaginal dysbacteriosis develops and other opportunistic microflora (E. coli, staphylo and streptococci) begins to multiply. This leads to the development of inflammatory diseases.
In addition, the vagina may normally contain a small amount of candida (fungi of the genus Candida) and gardnerella (bacteria). With normal immunity, the body inhibits the growth of these bacteria and fungi, but with a decrease in immune defense, their number begins to grow, causing thrush (candidiasis) or gardnerellosis.
A day or two after the smear, the woman receives a form with the results of the tests in her hands and suffers with the definition of incomprehensible abbreviations and abbreviations. Consider what characteristics are present in a regular smear and what they mean.
The material is taken from three points, so on the form they can be indicated by three Latin characters V (vagina - vagina), C (cervix - cervix) and U (uretra - urethra) or simply signed.
Leukocytes(L) are observed normally in small numbers. In inflammatory processes, their number increases dramatically.
squamous epithelium or just epithelium. An increase in the number of epithelial cells is also a marker of the inflammatory process.
Gonococci(Gn). Identification of gonococci indicates the disease gonorrhea.
Trichomonas(Trich). Detection of Trichomonas speaks of trichomoniasis.
Slime is normally present in moderate amounts in the vagina and cervix. Its increase indicates an inflammatory or infectious process.
The norm and pathology of a smear on the microflora in gynecology.
key cells- these are epithelial cells on which the gardnerella bacterium is found. An increase in their number indicates gardnerellosis.
lactobacilli(Doderlein sticks) - normally found in large numbers in the vagina. Their decrease indicates dysbacteriosis.
Candida. Normally, a small amount of yeast-like fungi can be observed. If their number is increased, then thrush is diagnosed.
In addition to these basic parameters, in the analysis of the flora, staphylo and streptococci, E. coli and other microorganisms can be determined, an increase in the number of which indicates inflammation of the genital tract.
In some laboratories, the “+” sign is used to determine the number of certain parameters. What does it mean:
Based on the data obtained after the smear, the specialist makes a verdict on the degree of purity of the vagina:
Question: What additional tests will help to identify why the number of lactobacilli is reduced in the smear.
Answer: A decrease in the level of lactobacilli may be associated with inflammatory diseases. Additionally, tests for STIs and general clinical tests are prescribed.
Question: Staphylococcus aureus was found in the smear. I read that it can be detected in a smear in normal women. The treating doctor said it was a pathology. Which one of us is right?
Answer: Normally, women may have a small amount of staphylococci, when their level reaches 10 5 degrees - this is considered a pathology.
Analysis of the microflora is the first step towards the diagnosis of various diseases in gynecology. If deviations are found, do not panic. It is necessary to repeat the tests, taking into account the recommendations of the doctor, or conduct additional studies to find the source of the problem.
Leukocytes in a smear in the vast majority of cases are a sign of an inflammatory process in the organs of the urogenital tract, both female and male. However, a rare man, especially at a young age, can “boast” that he had a smear taken if everything is in order with the genitourinary system. For men, smears do not belong to mandatory tests during medical examinations. Another thing is women. Probably, those do not exist, which, at least once a year, are not subjected to such manipulations. And this is in the absence of pathology, but if there are problems, then smears are taken as needed.
The material from the male urethra is normally not abundant. Solitary leukocytes, transitional epithelium in a smear, single rods - that's all that a healthy man can provide us. The appearance of a large number of leukocytes in a smear of the stronger sex, as a rule, is accompanied by the presence of the culprits of inflammation(, yeast-like fungi of the genus, etc.), which is treated, and then the analysis is taken again to ensure the success of the measures taken.
As for women, an increased number of leukocytes is observed before menstruation and is considered an absolutely natural phenomenon. In addition, the elevated content itself (the norm is up to 30 cells in the field of view) does not apply to reliable indicators, the absence of morphological signs of these cells is considered evidence of the norm of leukocytes. They are “calm”, not destroyed (the nuclei are preserved), there are no signs of phagocytosis. In addition, sometimes the reason for the error of the diagnostician may be incorrectly taken material. An example is a “thick” smear, which is practically not visible due to the fact that the entire field is dotted with clusters of overlapping cells (including leukocytes). Without risking a mistake, in such cases, the woman is offered to take the test again.
V - material from the vagina, C - cervical canal (cervix), U - urethra
If in men the analysis is taken only from the urethra, then in women there are more objects of study: urethra, vagina, cervix, cervical canal. True, sometimes they take an aspirate from the uterine cavity and also make smears, but this is considered a biopsy material that is viewed by a cytologist. He also draws a conclusion. Aspirates are not taken during routine examinations, this analysis is used exclusively for diagnostic purposes to detect cancerous and precancerous diseases of the main reproductive organ in women. In addition, if the aspirate is filled with formalin, and then applied to the slides and painted, a histological preparation will be obtained, which is considered the last resort in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms.
Probably, many have heard the expressions: “a smear for flora”, “a smear for cytology”. What does all of this mean? How are they similar and how are they different?
The fact is that in a smear on the flora at high magnification with immersion, the doctor can count the cells, detect trichomonas, yeast, diplococci, gardnerella and other microorganisms, representing a rich biocenosis of the female genital area. But he will not be able to determine the morphological changes in the epithelium, since these are different areas of laboratory diagnostics, where cytology occupies a separate niche. The study of the cellular composition of some material requires, in addition to certain knowledge, also special training. The study of pathological changes in the cell and nucleus theoretically gives very little, here, as they say, a trained eye is needed.
The doctor is engaged in deciphering the analysis in both cases (flora and cytology), we only have to slightly familiarize ourselves with some concepts so that when faced with a similar problem, we do not get scared and do not panic.
The tasks and functions of cytology are much broader, and therefore its possibilities are wider. The doctor examining the material focuses on the state of epithelial cells in order to identify pathological processes (inflammation, dysplasia, malignant neoplasms) and at the same time notes the flora. Most often, the vaginal portion of the cervix, represented by stratified (four-layer) squamous epithelium (SPE) and the cervical canal, is subject to research. With a correctly taken smear from the cervical canal in the cytological preparation, at the norm, the prismatic (cylindrical) epithelium, single leukocytes and depleted microflora, which could come from the underlying sections (from the vagina, for example), are clearly visible.
It should be noted that the cytological preparation is more informative, since the method of staining (according to Romanovsky-Giemsa, Pappenheim or Papanicolaou) gives a clearer picture. Cells are viewed first at low magnification to assess the general state of the drug, and then at high magnification (with immersion) in order to consider not only the epithelium itself, but also changes in the nucleus characteristic of a particular disease. In a word, the cytologist sees the flora, inflammation, and in most cases its cause and changes that this inflammatory process entailed. As well as indicative signs of infections that present particular difficulties in diagnosis, precancerous and neoplastic conditions of the epithelium.
As for the smear for STIs, it is desirable to examine it as a cytological preparation. A smear taken on the flora and stained with methylene blue is the most important, affordable and cheap, and therefore the most common diagnostic method in gynecology. However, unfortunately, it does not provide the necessary completeness of the picture for the diagnostic search for STDs and their consequences.
In addition to all possible inhabitants that, when infected or disturbed, are visible in a smear on the flora (Trichomonas, yeast, leptothrix), indirect signs of the presence of microorganisms can be found in the test material (cytology), which are very problematic to identify using microscopic methods: 
Of course, it is impossible to diagnose a herpetic, cytomegalovirus or papillomavirus infection with a cytological analysis, but it can be assumed, and this is already the basis for a further, more in-depth examination in a specific direction (, etc.). Thus, cytology allows you to narrow the range of diagnostic search, avoid unnecessary tests, save time, and promptly start treatment.
Since the simplest and most accessible method for detecting inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract, both in men and women, is a smear on the flora, it is necessary to pay more attention to it and teach the reader to understand a little about the entries on the form.
However, before making a visit to the doctor, Patients should know some simple rules:
After following these tips, a person goes to an appointment, where they will take a smear, paint and look under a microscope. The doctor will take care of the decoding, and the patient will receive a conclusion in his hands, and he will probably be interested to know what all these numbers and words mean.
Probably, the reader has guessed that the analysis of men is unlikely to leave pleasant memories, because the object of study is not so accessible to them, so there will really be unpleasant sensations that may not leave the person for several more hours. Sometimes, in order to avoid this, the doctor prescribes a prostate massage to the patient, which is carried out a few days before the procedure per rectum, that is, through the rectum.
However, if the burning sensation and soreness in the penis continues to remind of itself for several days, and these phenomena have also been added similar to, a trip to the doctor is inevitable. But if everything went well, then maybe men will be reassured by the fact that everything looks much simpler in their smear taken from the urethra, unless, of course, normal analysis:
In the case of an inflammatory process, the smear changes:
They do the same with female smears, since the found diplococci may not be Neisseria at all and do not cause gonorrhea. By the way, E. coli (Escherichia coli), enterococcus (Enterococcus faecalis), staphylococci with streptococci and other microorganisms in female smears are much more common, due to the structure of the female genital organs.
Leukocytes in a smear taken in gynecology, even for flora, even for cytology, are not the only cells present in the preparation. In addition, they act only as a consequence or reaction to events occurring in the ecosystem (hormonal fluctuations, inflammation). For example, their increase in different phases of the cycle is due to hormonal influence, therefore, when taking material, the date of the last menstruation is indicated in the referral form.
The diagnostic criterion of the inflammatory process is considered not only a large amount of Le, "escaping" to the place of "military operations", but also the state of their nuclei. When leukocytes react, they try to absorb the “enemy”, phagocytize, but they themselves begin to break down. Destroyed cells are called neutrophilic leukocytes, however, this phenomenon is not indicated in the decoding of the analysis. A large number of neutrophilic leukocytes, together with abundant cocco-bacillary or coccal flora, serves as the basis for confirming the presence of an inflammatory process.
The ecosystem of the female genital organs includes microorganisms that occupy certain niches, which are: the epithelium of the vagina, cervix, cervical canal, rich in endocervical glands. These anatomical formations provide conditions for the vital activity of certain microorganisms. Some of the inhabitants are mandatory (obligate), while others come from outside due to certain circumstances and cause various inflammatory reactions of the epithelium.
In addition, the balance in the ecosystem can be disturbed by various factors that negatively affect the woman's body (both internal and external), which lead to the fact that microbes living in small numbers begin to displace natural inhabitants representing rod flora and occupy the dominant position. An example of this is the colonization of the vaginal environment with gardnerella, which for a number of reasons displaces lactobacilli (Doderlein sticks). The result of such a "war" is widely known.
The microscopic creatures that live in the genital tract of a woman are diverse, but the norms still exist, although sometimes it is very difficult to determine their boundaries, but we will still try to do it. Thus, in a smear taken in gynecology, you can find:
In addition to lactobacilli - the main representatives of the normal microflora of the genital tract, which are entrusted with the important function of "self-purification of the vaginal environment", other opportunistic microorganisms can be found in a smear in small quantities:
All these representatives of the microflora can live without disturbing anyone, or cause inflammation under certain conditions. By the way, even lactobacilli in excess and in abundant bacterial flora can provoke an inflammatory process - lactobacillus, manifested by itching, burning, discharge. The disease, of course, is not fatal, but very painful.
The presence of pathogenic microorganisms, transmitted mainly through sexual contact, almost always causes trouble. Local inflammation caused by the pathogen can spread to other organs and systems and (often) become chronic if not treated in time.
This phenomenon is especially dangerous during pregnancy, since many pathogens can have a very negative effect on the fetus, so a bad smear during pregnancy is a guide to action, moreover, immediate. What microorganisms can threaten the human reproductive system through sexual transmission? Probably, we will not surprise anyone by naming them, but once again it still does not hurt to recall the danger posed by microscopic creatures.
gonococcus - the causative agent of gonorrhea
Thus, the pathogenic microflora of the genital tract includes:
A smear for the degree of purity of the vagina is taken as a regular smear for the flora, but is evaluated somewhat differently. In gynecology, the IV degree of purity is distinguished:
I degree- a rather rare phenomenon, the smear is clean, only rod flora, single leukocytes and squamous epithelial cells in optimal quantities;
II degree- among the sticks, single cocci can “slip” or other non-pathogenic microorganisms can also be mixed in single copies, this degree is the most common among gynecologically healthy women;
table: standards for assessing the cleanliness of the vagina
III degree- it is characterized by conditionally pathogenic flora and yeast-like fungi, which tend to actively reproduce. This may indicate the development of an inflammatory reaction to the presence of an excessive number of opportunistic microorganisms. This analysis involves an additional examination of the woman;
IV degree- signs of an obvious inflammatory process: abundant coccal or cocco-bacillary (mixed) flora, the presence of Trichomonas, gonococci or other pathogenic microorganisms is possible. In such cases, additional laboratory tests (bacteriological, PCR, etc.) are prescribed to search for the pathogen and further treatment.
A smear on the flora, although it is considered a simple method, but has great potential. The first step in the laboratory diagnosis of diseases of the urogenital tract, sometimes, immediately solves the problem and allows you to immediately begin therapeutic measures, the quality of which will subsequently be controlled by the smear itself, therefore it is not recommended to avoid such an accessible procedure. It does not require a lot of expenses, and the answer will not have to wait long.
what can be learned from the smear analysis? thanks in advance
General smear (urogenital smear). Bacterioscopy - smear analysis
Bacterioscopy (from Latin - “scopeo” - I look) is a laboratory method for examining bacteria under a microscope, well known to any woman as a general smear, smear on the flora or a gynecological smear.
Smear bacterioscopy is an inexpensive, fast and therefore common method for diagnosing STDs, which accompanies almost every visit of a woman to a gynecologist.
Microscopic examination of a smear (determination of the microflora of a smear) includes several stages:
Taking a smear. A gynecologist inserts a vaginal speculum into the urethra (urethra) of a woman and takes material from all suspected foci of infection using a disposable spatula. Usually, a smear is taken from three points - from the external opening of the urethra, vagina and cervix. A disposable spatula is a plastic stick with an expanded end, with which, when making smears, the gynecologist evenly distributes the taken material over a special clean glass slide, assigning special letter designations to smears from different areas: "U" - urethra, "C" - cervix, "V - vagina. Next, the taken material is dried and sent for smear microscopy to the laboratory.
Laboratory examination of smears. After the smears are taken by laboratory doctors, the so-called Gram smears are stained with special dyes, and then a gynecological examination of the smears under a microscope is performed. Different parts of the cells and bacteria are stained in different colors, which allows you to assess the composition of the discharge from the urethra, vagina and cervix.
A urogenital smear is a painless procedure for a healthy woman, which can cause only mild discomfort. The pain accompanying the smear indicates damage to the walls of the urethra, which can occur with various inflammatory diseases, or due to genital infections. The stronger the pain in the urethra after the smear, the more damaged the tissues of the urethra.
Deciphering a smear for flora. The degree of purity of the smear.
Smear norms imply the presence of the following smear indicators:
The squamous epithelium is the layer of cells that lines the vagina and cervix. In a normal smear, the epithelium should be present. If the smear does not contain epithelium, then the gynecologist has reason to assume a lack of estrogen, an excess of male sex hormones. The absence of squamous epithelium in the smear indicates atrophy of epithelial cells.
Leukocyte smear - the norm is up to 15 units in the field of view. A small number of leukocytes will be considered the norm of the smear leukocytes, since leukocytes perform a protective function, prevent the infection from entering the woman's genitals. Elevated leukocytes in a smear are observed with inflammation of the vagina (colpitis, vaginitis). The more white blood cells in the smear, the more acute the disease.
Staphylococcus aureus in a smear in small quantities is the norm of a smear. A significant increase in staphylococcus in a smear, as well as an increase in leukocytes in a smear, may be a symptom of an inflammatory process in the vagina, the uterine mucosa (endometritis).
The sticks in the smear constitute the normal microflora of the vagina. In addition to rods, the smear should not contain other microorganisms.
Gynecological swabs may contain foreign microorganisms, indicating the presence of an infection in the smear. The results of a bacterioscopy of a smear can show the content of the following bacteria:
Cocci are spherical bacteria, unlike rods. In addition to cocci, according to the results of the analysis of the smear, the coccal environment may contain diplococci - double rods in the smear or gonococci - a symptom of gonorrhea.
Small sticks in a smear are most often gardnerella - causative agents of gardnerellosis or vaginal dysbacteriosis.
"Key" cells in a smear (atypical cells) are squamous epithelial cells glued to a small stick. As with gardnerella, if smears contain atypical cells, the doctor can diagnose vaginal dysbacteriosis.
A fungus in a smear is a sign of candidiasis (thrush). In the latent (asymptomatic) stages of thrush, the fungus in the smear can be detected in the form of spores.
If the results of a vaginal smear indicate the presence of trichomonas, the doctor has every reason to suspect that the patient has trichomoniasis.
Even if smear smear results show the presence of cocci, small rods, and "key" cells in the smear, indicating bacterial vaginosis, smear results alone may not be enough to make a diagnosis. Most likely, the gynecologist will need to conduct bacteriological culture and DNA diagnostics (PCR smear). Why smear results are not enough to accurately diagnose STDs, doctors explain the following reasons:
Viral, chlamydial, mycoplasmal and ureaplasma infections are practically not detected in the urogenital smear. Viruses, chlamydias, ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas are microorganisms of very small sizes that are difficult to see under a microscope in a conventional smear analysis. To diagnose these infections, there are other, more informative methods (PCR smear, ELISA diagnostics).
A fungus found in a smear is a sure symptom of thrush. But candidiasis can be a concomitant disease that has developed against a background of a more serious sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Elevated leukocytes during smear microscopy may be the result of an erroneous diagnosis, if they accidentally enter the smear when taking pus. A large number of white blood cells in a smear will prevent the laboratory assistant from “seeing” the STD pathogen.
In many cases, a vaginal smear can reveal the infection in the smear, but not the “nature” (causative agent) of this infection, and just as importantly, using a smear it is not possible to determine the sensitivity of these pathogens to certain antibiotics. This problem can be solved by bacteriological culture.
It is not difficult for a patient to take a smear for flora, but in order to take a smear and decipher the bacterioscopy of a smear, a gynecologist and laboratory assistant will need high qualifications. Otherwise, the diagnosis will be erroneous, the purity of the smear will be violated, and the results of bacterioscopy will be distorted. The reliability of the smear results is influenced by the preparation for the smear and the correctness of taking the smear.
Material for microscopic examination of smears:
Discharge from the urethra, part of the mucous plug of the cervix and the squamous epithelium of the vaginal wall.
In the diagnosis of women's diseases, a smear is far from the only and often uninformative research method, however, it is necessary and requires experience and qualifications from laboratory doctors.
Grade
A gynecological smear in women shows some diseases at an early stage. If the doctor prescribes this analysis during the examination, do not refuse.
All women between the ages of 18 and 60 should have a smear test. Let's talk a little more about what this safe and informative study shows. Its accuracy is affected by the correct preparation.
There are two types of gynecological smear: a study on the flora and a smear to determine atypical cells. These are submitted at least once a year, and if any deviations are detected, twice a year. After the treatment, a follow-up study is mandatory.
A flora smear is a laboratory study that reveals the composition of the microflora at three points:
This analysis establishes:
Compliance with these rules makes the study more accurate:
The woman sits in a chair. The gynecologist sets up a speculum and takes a sample for analysis with a special disposable tool. The procedure is painless and takes a minute. The laboratory analyzes the number of cells in the sample. In a few days you get the result.
If the woman is healthy, then the results will indicate the presence of lactobacilli and a small number of leukocytes. Erythrocytes, causative agents of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea, fungi of the genus Candida should not be in the analyzes. If they are identified, then you need to pass the PCR (polymerase chain reaction method) for sexually transmitted diseases. The normal number of leukocytes is up to 10 per field of view. If a large number of white blood cells are detected under the microscope, this indicates that there is inflammation. Also in such cases, the content of mucus increases, and gram-negative rods are determined in the analyzes.
Most often, such results indicate that you have. With colpitis, the vagina becomes inflamed, with urethritis, microbes cause inflammation of the urethra, and endometritis is a lesion of the inner layer of the uterus.
If the doctor is worried about something, there is a clear deviation from the norm, he sends the patient for further examination. It is necessary to determine which pathogen caused such a reaction, and which antibiotic should be treated with it.
Usually, if the smear is bad, then the woman may feel discomfort, which manifests itself:
But it happens when the inflammation proceeds hidden. It does not make itself felt, but harms the body. In severe cases, it is even possible. Some infections can increase your risk of getting cancer. So taking a swab for infections on time is a must.
This is the norm. Sticks are useful lactobacilli, if few of them are detected, this does not indicate dysbacteriosis - a condition when the vagina is colonized by harmful microorganisms that displace the beneficial flora. Special drugs with lactobacilli allow you to restore the correct balance, but only a gynecologist should prescribe them.
Such a simple informative analysis helps to identify many serious pathologies:
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During pregnancy, the number of lactobacilli decreases, which is due to a general decrease in immunity. In order to identify abnormalities in the microflora and infections in the early stages, a gynecological smear is prescribed for all pregnant women. Many expectant mothers worry that a smear can harm the baby. Do not be afraid - the doctor takes the material very carefully, without penetrating the instrument into the uterus. You will not feel any discomfort, and this examination will not affect your child in any way.
If deviations have been identified, the doctor will prescribe local remedies. During pregnancy, most antibiotics are prohibited, preference is given to vaginal tablets, suppositories, creams and sitz baths. If minor deviations from the norm are found, the gynecologist may simply leave you under observation. It is worth considering the fact that one analysis passed in different laboratories can show different results. Always use the services of one proven laboratory or clinic.
The gynecologist may be alerted by the presence in the sample key cells. These are clusters of epithelial cells that stick together. This usually happens if there is inflammation, especially with bacterial vaginosis. Usually, in addition, in this case, small sticks - gardnerella can be found in the smear. They are not pathogens or latent infections.
But if there are a lot of them, discharge with an unpleasant odor may appear. Gardnerella is classified as a conditionally pathogenic flora. If immunity
copes with his work well, there is not much of it in the smear. And this can be considered a variant of the norm.
Representatives of Candida yeast fungi can be found in the vagina in small quantities and do not cause disease. The number of Candida usually increases during pregnancy. If it turns out to be more than lactobacilli, then it develops. It is accompanied by itching, redness, curdled discharge.
Cocci (gonococci, streptococci, staphylococci) are nonspecific flora. It is found everywhere in the body. 30% of the population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus. In isolated cases, it can cause a complicated course of pregnancy. A small amount of staphylococci and streptococci in a smear should not be alarming - this is a variant of the norm.
Sometimes a smear on the flora can show the presence of Trichomonas. This bacterium is a pathogen. Treatment is always given. But when Trichomonas is in an inactive state, only the PCR method can detect it. If you have a pathogenic flora in a smear, do not be too upset. Most infections can be cured. Also, the regular delivery of a smear allows you to indirectly assess the production of hormones.
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Another important study that women have to regularly conduct when visiting a gynecologist is a cytological smear. It determines the tendency to form malignant tumors of the vagina and. Oncological diseases of the female genital area rank second among all tumor lesions in women. They are extremely common and practically do not manifest themselves in the early stages.
To detect early signs of tissue degeneration, the doctor prescribes a special analysis. This measure is in most cases preventive. Therefore, you do not need to think that something is being hidden from you. Such a smear is done by everyone. With age, the analysis for atypia is taken more often. Otherwise, a smear for cytology is called a Pap test, or a smear for atypical cells.
To conduct a Pap test, you need to take a swab from the cervix during a gynecological examination. After 30 years, a gynecologist for testing should be visited 2 times a year.
For the result to be reliable, you should not urinate for an hour and a half before taking the Pap test. Do not have sex, douche, take a bath, or use vaginal suppositories or tablets the day before the test for abnormal cells.
You can take the test on any day, except for menstruation. The procedure takes no more than 3 minutes.
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After the material for research is received, it is studied under a microscope.
The size, shape, number of cells is determined. If there are slight changes, the doctor can make a diagnosis: cervical dysplasia. Reasons for this condition:
To identify pathology as early as possible, contact your gynecologist if you have small spotting outside of menstruation and other symptoms that were not there before. In the first degree of cervical dysplasia, only its surface layer has an abnormal structure. Sometimes the doctor may decide not to treat the disease at this stage at all. A woman, especially if she has not given birth, may be left under observation. Or if deviations in the level of sex hormones are detected, it is corrected. After that, dysplasia may disappear.
In the second degree - the abnormal structure of the cells also extends to the middle layer. The third degree of dysplasia is placed when all layers are affected. This condition is the most dangerous and is considered precancerous. Usually in this case, the patient is referred for a biopsy. If the third degree of dysplasia is detected during pregnancy, childbirth is carried out by caesarean section after consulting an oncogynecologist.
An extended colposcopy is mandatory for any degree of dysplasia to clarify the diagnosis. During this procedure, the doctor examines the structure of the epithelium of the cervix under a microscope. The doctor gets access to it, as usual, with the help of a gynecological mirror.
Extended colposcopy, unlike simple, involves the use of tests with 3% acetic acid and Lugol's solution. Such tests help to identify the lesion - it is stained in a certain way. Colposcopy helps to confirm the need for a biopsy or refuse it. If you have cervical erosion, poor oncocytology, genital warts, you will be prescribed a colposcopy. In some cases, the procedure for examining the cervix under a microscope can be prescribed even for pregnant women.
Women from this group need to be especially attentive to themselves:
Based on the results of oncocytology, you may be prescribed treatment. It's not always surgery. In the early stages, cervical dysplasia is eliminated with the help of special procedures. The most commonly used radio wave method. The device removes the affected tissue without pain. The use of radio wave treatment of cervical dysplasia is possible even in young nulliparous women.
Other methods are somewhat outdated: removal with an electric knife, laser or freezing. Treatment is selected by the doctor depending on whether there was a birth, taking into account the stage of dysplasia and comorbidity. Most procedures today are done with the comfort of the patient. These minimally invasive techniques do not violate the tissue structure, so you can endure and give birth to a healthy baby.
Thus, the timely delivery of a smear for flora and atypical cells is necessary to prevent many diseases and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Take care of yourself in time. Smear testing is possible both in the clinic and in a private clinic. Many independent laboratories can also collect material. In a few days you will get the result and you will be calm for your health.
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method polymerase chain reaction
polymerase chain reaction method
Another important female examination is the analysis of hormones, including prolactin. This is a hormone that plays an extremely important role in the female body.
During a preventive examination by a gynecologist or a visit to this doctor with complaints, a smear analysis from the genital tract is mandatory. Without knowledge of gynecology, deciphering the results is impossible.
Based on such a simple and painless study, it can be concluded that a woman has or does not have many diseases.
Thanks to the microscopic examination of biological material from the mucous membrane of the urogenital organs in medicine, it became possible to detect the presence of microbes and other disorders that are dangerous to the health and functioning of the reproductive system. The main types of smears are:
