The atrophic type of smear, like other smears, is considered a cytological examination of the cervix, which gives extremely accurate results regarding the diagnosis of cancer and the precancerous state of the urogenital system of a woman. Timely and regular delivery of smears for cytology reduces the likelihood of developing cancer by several times.
The main goal of these analyzes is the identification of the earliest forms of cancer and their treatment in the initial stages.
What is an atrophic type of smear in gynecology
A smear on cytology is one of the most important gynecological studies. For a gynecologist, this is the easiest and most reliable way to find out what condition the cervix is in.
An atrophic type of smear is a good and reliable way to find out the quantitative ratio of standard and parabasal cells. This analysis makes it possible to get a clear picture of the condition of the cervix, as well as to find out the amount of hormones in the ovaries.
Why is this smear used in gynecology?
The atrophic type of smear (which you can read in this article) is considered the most reliable method for passing gynecological tests for cytology. This method is considered very simple and affordable for all segments of the female population. With its help, you can determine in what condition the cervix is, and take subsequent therapeutic or preventive actions.
The atrophic type of smear for cytology has the main goal - to identify unnatural and alien cells in the female body. Usually, in a normal, healthy state of a woman, such cells are absent. Very often it is such foreign cells that are the beginning of the appearance of malignant tumors.
If the gynecologist informs you that the result of the analysis is unsatisfactory, in no case do not delay the treatment. If there are deviations of any type, immediately undergo additional medical research to help establish the whole picture. Most often, such examinations help detect cancer in the early stages. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely it will be successful.
What is atrophy?
Before you deal with the disease itself, you should understand what is atrophy. In gynecology, this concept means the predominance of parabasal cells in the body. At the same time, the number of ordinary cells is significantly reduced. Most often, a large number of leukocytes will be found in the smear, and the volume of the Dederlein sticks is as low as possible.
In some women, ideally, the same amount of these cells can be observed only during menopause. This condition lasts no more than five years. At this time, the amount of estrogen in the female body is significantly reduced, but this does not affect the microflora, and it can be in perfect condition.
An atrophic type of cervical smear begins to develop due to a deficiency of female hormones estrogen. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the fact that there are several types of cells contained in the cervix:
- basal;
- intermediate;
- parabasal;
- upper stratum corneum.
In addition, each cell belongs to its own layer of tissue. For example, superficial keratinizing cells are considered the topmost layer of the vaginal epithelium. In front of them are several intermediate layers of epithelial cells.
The lowest layer of epithelial tissue is composed of basal cells, which over time begin to transform into other cells located in the intermediate layers.
The female hormones estrogen are responsible for the process of cell transformation. If these hormones are not enough in a woman’s body, then the process of cell transformation begins to be disrupted, which is why the main problems appear.
Most often, an atrophic type of smear for cytology is found in more mature women as a result of a decrease in hormonal levels. These processes occur as a result of a decrease in the working capacity of female genital organs. It is no exception that, in adulthood, this smear can even be considered completely normal. At a younger age, problems arise due to improper functioning of the genitourinary system and problems with the hormonal background.
Treatment features
If, as a result of passing the analysis, an atrophic type of smear is observed, then you definitely should not despair in advance. This does not give a one hundred percent guarantee that you are susceptible to cancer. Most often, such a smear is done for general control of the female genitourinary system. Therefore, even if you hear that you have an atrophic type of smear, this is not the main indicator of oncology.
Quite often, women are susceptible to such a disease as atrophic colpitis. It is not very dangerous for women's health, but nevertheless needs immediate treatment.
Most often, hormonal therapy is excellent at this disease. For this, special candles or ointments are used, which are inserted into the vagina for two weeks. In addition, tablets or plasters are used. For best results, such therapy has been practiced for six to seven years. Many doctors recommend eating foods rich in phytoestrogens.
An atrophic type of smear in which the cervix is in a damaged state can be cured only if complex methods are used. These include medications prescribed by the attending physician, as well as the use of special products.
An atrophic type of smear, the treatment of which should be started immediately, most often manifests itself as atrophic vaginitis. This disease is associated with the wrong hormonal background of a woman and with an insufficient amount of the hormone estrogen secreted. Very often, vaginitis can be caused by menopause, which can be either natural or artificial.
With natural menopause, the amount of hormones is a normal reaction of the female body to age. In cases of artificial menopause, an insufficient amount of hormones is a consequence of a violation of their production by the ovaries. This problem can be quite simply solved using special methods.
What does the atrophic type of smear mean, only your doctor can determine. If your diagnosis is atrophic vaginitis, then you should definitely not be upset. It is treated with very simple and affordable methods. By the way, the harbinger of such a disease are the symptoms:
- itching and burning in the internal and external genital organs;
- high dryness of the vagina;
- Very frequent trips to the toilet. In this case, the amount of liquid released does not change;
- spotting from the vagina of an incomprehensible nature;
- hair loss on the pubis and labia;
- Frequent bleeding of the vagina even with its most minor injuries.
Atrophic smear type: parakeratosis
Diagnose this disease can only be a gynecologist after examination. To effectively treat this disease, it is recommended to restore the hormonal background. The specialist will select the drugs based on your analysis. In this case, the hormone estrogen can enter the female body with the help of tablets, suppositories, plasters or ointments. It is also recommended to take vitamins and increase vaginal tone with the help of special exercises.
Parakeratosis is a disease of the cervix, namely keratinization of its mucous layer. This phenomenon is most often associated with traumatic factors. This may include medical intervention, as well as the formation of infections. The human papillomavirus is not excluded.
For the treatment of this disease, the cervical mucosa is scraped and further studied to determine the presence of foreign cells. Laser cauterization of damaged areas is often used. In no case should you treat this disease with alternative methods.
What does the smear look like?
Looking at the smear with the naked eye, it is impossible to understand that something is wrong with him. Indeed, outwardly, he will not differ in any way from the smear of a young healthy woman. Therefore, a cytological examination (atrophic type of smear) can be carried out only with the help of a modern microscope. Women should pay attention to the fact that this should be done every six months to maintain their health and longevity.
The atrophic type of smear (what this means can be read in this article) has the appearance of parabasal cells, which make up the bulk of the total cell mass. Estrogen deficiency leads to the fact that the epithelial tissue in the vagina does not pass into other types of tissues, and this is the main problem.
Scientists also noticed that the more progressive atrophy, the more the nucleus of parabasal cells increases. The deepest atrophic stages make it possible to notice that the nucleus becomes so large that it can displace all other vital elements of the cell. Despite the fact that the nucleus increases significantly, the cell itself remains the same.
Products Containing Estrogens
Estrogens are female hormones responsible for the proper and coordinated functioning of the female genitourinary system. If these elements are not enough in the body, then not only medications, but also food can come to the rescue.
Estrogens are very important for women's health in general. They are responsible for the beauty and general condition of women. Therefore, if your hormones are not enough, you should take into account phytoestrogens.
Scientists have proven that the largest amount is found in beer. But you should definitely not abuse this product. In addition, a large amount of estrogen is contained in other foods of plant origin, which are worth paying attention in the first place.
A very large amount of the much needed female hormone is found in legumes. Especially in soy. But peas, red beans and other beans are not inferior to her either.
Pay attention to flax seeds, which in addition to hormones also contain a large amount of other beneficial substances. In modern medicine, it is the extract from them that is used as a substitute for natural female hormones.
A lot of estrogen in cereals. Especially in wheat. For a woman, porridge will be considered the most optimal breakfast, especially with bran.
Do not ignore dairy products. Since a milk-giving cow eats a lot of estrogen-rich grass, milk will also contain a lot of female hormones.
However, do not forget that in everything you need a measure. Before you start taking hormones of plant origin, be sure to consult your doctor. After all, their overabundance can lead to many diseases, one of which is breast cancer.
Cytology smear
In order to determine the state of the genitourinary system in gynecology, it is customary to make a smear on cytology. This procedure allows you to find out about the condition of the mucous membrane of the cervix, as well as pay attention to the presence of various pathologies. A smear on cytology allows you to carefully study the cells of the epithelium. This method is the most accurate and reliable for determining the composition of the epithelium, because even the slightest changes will be noticeable under a microscope.
Most often, cytological studies are carried out in order to study all kinds of changes in the cervix, as well as in the vaginal mucosa. During this study, several types of smears can be seen:
- inflammatory:
- estrogenic;
- androgynous;
- regressive or atrophic type of smear (how to treat the pathologies causing it, you now know);
- mixed;
- progesterone.
Each of these types of smears has its own essential features, which are expressed in the predominance of some cells over others. If we talk about an atrophic type smear, then in this case parabasal cells predominate in the epithelium. They will have very large cores. At the same time, the size of the cell itself remains small.
Determining the condition of the cervix
The female genitourinary system can work perfectly only if the ovaries produce a sufficient amount of hormones - estrogen. In case of their deficiency, the condition of the cervix may not change for the better. Along with this, changes occur in the vaginal ecosystem. Dysbiotic processes begin to actively progress, as well as alkalization of the mucous membranes. This significantly increases the content of bacteria and infections in the female genital organs.
The upper layer of the cervix is the epithelial tissue under which the subepithelial stroma are located. They can easily bleed even with the slightest damage.
If during the examination a woman had an atrophic type of smear, then the patient urgently needs to undergo other types of examinations. The sooner this is done, the faster and easier the treatment process will be.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
In order to maintain women's health for many years, you should regularly undergo gynecological examinations. It is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it. An atrophic type of smear with a leukocyte reaction and other ailments of the cervix are problems that require an immediate solution.
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that develops, respectively, in the area of the cervix itself. Most often, this ailment is noticed in women after thirty-five years. But younger women are also affected by this disease.
Most often, cervical cancer is characterized by the following symptoms:
- frequent bleeding after intercourse, between menstruation, after douching, as well as during and after a gynecological examination;
- the menstrual cycle can change, and the bleeding period also lengthens;
- vaginal discharge acquires a constant bloody hue;
- the amount of leucorrhoea may increase several times;
- the last cancerous stages of the cervix can be characterized by the appearance of a very unpleasant odor, as well as the release of thick clots;
- sexual intercourse is accompanied by severe pain;
- very frequent pains in the lower back and abdomen;
- a general malaise of the whole organism may be observed.
In order not to expose yourself to such a dangerous disease, you should visit a gynecologist once every six months and take appropriate tests. You should not have sex at a very young age, since the epithelial tissue of the cervix has not yet fully formed. Watch your diet and lead the right lifestyle. Try not to use oral methods of contraception, because they affect the hormonal background of the body.