It is the duty of every woman who values her health to undergo regular examination by a gynecologist. During a routine examination, the doctor usually takes a smear on the flora from the woman’s vagina. According to the results of laboratory tests, he can draw conclusions about the degree of purity of the vaginal microflora, and, if necessary, prescribe drugs to normalize it. The doctor pays special attention to the amount in which Dederlein sticks are present in the woman’s vagina, as this may indicate a problem.
What a vaginal smear shows
Taken for analysis, a smear from the vagina is applied to the glass, and then stained with specially designed dyes. Further study of the material under a microscope is designed to determine such indicators:
- slime;
- white blood cells;
- squamous epithelium ;
- some pathogens;
- dederlein sticks.
Vaginal cleanliness is measured by the ratio of the number of Dederlein sticks to the number of cocci. With a reduced concentration of the first, the vaginal microbiocenosis is considered impaired, in other words, this indicates the development of bacteriosis. So the Dederlein sticks are very important.
The special role of the Dederlein sticks
These special bacteria are part of the vaginal microbiocenosis, moreover, they are its main part. Providing an acidic environment in the vagina is the main task that the Dederlein sticks perform. What is it and how do they work? These are lactobacilli, that is, beneficial bacteria that look like elongated sticks under the scope of a microscope (hence the name). The product of their life is lactic acid. Why is it needed? In lactic acid, weak and poorly developed sperm cells die - this is the primary selection.
The role of lactobacilli of the vagina is much wider. They contribute to the activity of macrophages, that is, immune cells that are actively fighting all harmful "aliens." In addition, Dederlein sticks provoke the production of biologically active substances and specific antibodies. And besides this, they are active participants in the processes involved in the work of local and general immunity.
What do Dederlein sticks say in a smear
As already noted, these bacteria in the composition of the vaginal microbiocenosis quantitatively exceed all other components. If the Dederlein sticks in the smear are found in very large numbers, then the woman is not infected with viruses, germs or protozoa. If the analysis reveals that the number of lactobacilli has decreased, this will indicate a developed vaginal dysbiosis.
If the number of Dederlein sticks is reduced in the vagina or they are completely absent, then the woman is either infected with something, or this is the result of internal changes in her body. The culprits of bacterial vaginosis and a series of other diseases associated with it may be Trichomonas and Gardnerella. Also, the causes of such an extremely undesirable condition can be the use of antibiotics, hormonal therapy, intestinal dysbiosis, malfunctioning of hormones or the immune system.
Usually, when a small number of Dederlein sticks is detected in the general analysis, the gynecologist prescribes an additional analysis (backseeding) aimed at detecting the cause of such a deplorable state of microflora.
How to increase the number of Dederlein sticks
The number of lactobacilli in the vagina can be brought back to normal only after the reasons for their reduction are discovered and eliminated. Bakseeding (analysis when a smear from the vagina is placed in an artificial nutrient medium) helps not only to identify harmful bacteria and fungi, as well as their number, but also conduct experiments to determine which antibiotics are suitable for treatment.
After the correct rehabilitation of the vagina, normalizing microflora is usually prescribed restorative therapy. At this time, it is advisable to use vaginal suppositories, with the help of which the population of beneficial bacteria, including the Dederlein sticks, is populated.
Dederlein sticks play a large role in protecting the female genital tract from infection and affect the immunity of the whole organism. A decrease in their number indicates the development of vaginal dysbiosis, for which there can be various reasons. Only after their elimination can vaginal microbiocenosis be restored. If this condition is ignored, over time the most unpleasant and dangerous diseases can develop.