Going to the doctor is not the best time for any of us. But, paying attention to our health, we are forced to agree to various unpleasant procedures. Many women with some constraint and hostility think about their visit to the gynecologist. Ideally, the fair sex should go to this specialist 2 times a year, but the realities of life are such that this ideal is not available to everyone. Family, work, difficult relationships with someone, a turbulent personal life, setbacks, stress delays the visit to the gynecologist until the health problems become acute.
When visiting a gynecologist, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to take tests to determine the bacteria and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina. After obtaining the results, many questions arise, for example, should the epithelium be flat in the smear, or how many bacteria and other elements are allowed in the flora. This article will focus on the properties, types and quantity of squamous epithelium in the analyzes.
Indications for appointment analysis
Cell testing should be performed regularly in all women who are over 18 years old. It is appointed once a year and does not depend on the state of health of the representative of the weak half of society. If there are any pathological changes in the cervix, the doctor may prescribe an analysis as much as necessary. Since recently diseases of the female genital organs have become younger, the environmental situation has worsened and people have become more susceptible to stress, experts prefer to prescribe a smear for cell research at least 2 times a year.
Without this analysis, it is almost impossible to accurately determine the pathological processes occurring in the cervix. This study is popular because it allows you to quickly and safely identify inflammatory, precancerous and cancerous conditions in women. In addition to the fact that you can see squamous cells in a smear, it also displays the presence of leukocytes, bacteria, fungus.
Can flat epithelium be in a smear?
Sometimes women, when receiving the results of the analysis, are afraid of the presence of squamous cells in it. But do not worry, because their presence is physiologically justified. The fact is that the cervix and vagina are lined with a tissue called squamous epithelium. In the smear, the norm of these cells in the field of view is up to 15 pieces. Their absence or a significant deviation from the norm upwards indicates the presence of local pathological processes. You can never make a conclusion about the state of health, based only on this indicator in the analysis. A doctor can make a complete picture of a woman’s health (or lack thereof) only by measuring the flat epithelium in a smear with other elements.
Epithelium flat in smear in a small amount
Not always low values of any element in the analyzes indicates the norm. After all, any deviation from it can adversely affect our health. The squamous epithelium in the smear (the norm of which is indicated above) can be in the field of view, but have values of 1,2,4. A small number of these cells may indicate a lack of estrogen production, and male hormones are increased. If these cells are not visible at all with a thorough examination, this suggests that they are atrophied. Their complete absence should alert the specialist, since the death of epithelial cells can lead to the appearance of a cancerous tumor. In order to confirm this assumption, you need to do a few more analyzes and studies, so you should not panic with such results.
What if the squamous epithelium in the smear is higher than normal?
Specialists immediately pay attention to the results of the analysis if squamous cells in the smear are contained in large numbers. Indicators above 15 are considered a deviation from the norm and may indicate the presence of pathological processes such as inflammation of the cervical tissue, the development of a benign tumor (diffuse mastopathy). Also, a large number of epithelial cells may indicate primary infertility in young patients.
Nuclear-free "scales" (this is how the flat epithelium looks) can grow without a focus. This is observed with benign tumors, as well as with the pathological process of hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis is a keratinization disorder in which the responsible organs do not control how much and how flat epithelium occurs. A lot of it can be in the smear due to a significant excess of the amount of estrogen in the body. In this case, the woman is also at risk of abortion. Epithelial cells are carefully examined in order to prevent the development of cancer in the early stages.
Various changes in squamous epithelium in a smear
The results of the most common smear can lead to additional examinations and treatment. This occurs when the epithelial cells undergo a quantitative change.
Epithelial cells must comply with the norm in shape, structure and size.
Flat epithelium in a smear can be together with a cylindrical one. This is not a deviation from the norm if the smear was made in the transition zone (cervical canal and vaginal part of it). Considering that the epithelium covers the canal and vagina with several layers, cells from different layers may be displayed in the analysis results. Stratified squamous epithelium may also appear in the smear, such results without additional abnormalities in the structure or size of the cells are considered normal.
Do not worry too much if you have altered epithelial cells. This is not reliable evidence that cancer is developing. Abnormal in the structure and structure of squamous cells may indicate ongoing inflammatory processes, the presence of papillomavirus infection, benign lesions of the cervix, dysplasia.
How does this type of cell change with age?
A woman in her life goes through different stages of development, depending on her age, internal organs and cells also change. Flat epithelium was no exception (in the smear, it is referred to as "Ep"). In women of reproductive age, the boundary between the arrangement of cylindrical epithelial cells and flat is clearly visible. They have a typical appearance, and the results of the analysis will be reliable because of their correct localization. In the process of life, this clear boundary moves into the cervical canal. In women before and during menopause, squamous cells are no longer as large as they were before. They become thinner, and a lumen appears in the vessels.
Do I need to sound the alarm when flat epithelium appears in layers in a smear?
If your epithelium is flat in a smear with layers located, then you need to consult a specialist for your own reassurance. Such results should be analyzed, starting with its amount in the field of view. If the norm is not exceeded, the cells are not changed, there is no reason for panic. After all, the flat epithelium lines the vagina and walls of the cervix with layers. But with a significant excess of the norm in the number of cells, it is necessary, without delay, to go to the gynecologist for the appointment of a further examination.
How to prepare for analysis?
Since a woman lives in a cycle, she needs to know when to make a vaginal swab. In the reproductive age, it is important to calculate the days of menstruation, otherwise the flat epithelium in the smear may be prone to changes. Many erroneous results were obtained in the hands of a woman precisely because of the incorrect collection of biomaterial. For those representatives of the fair sex who have menstruation, you need to take a smear no earlier than the 5th day of menstruation. In addition, the analysis should be done a maximum of 5 days before the onset of menstruation, not later. If sexual intercourse took place, medications were injected into the vagina or sanitation was performed, the biomaterial will be ready for collection only after 24 hours.
The material is applied to two glasses with a soft brush or spatula. Results are ready in 5-10 days.
What additional studies are prescribed if the squamous epithelium does not meet the norm?
If a flat epithelium is determined to be single in the smear, but there are no changes in the cervix, then the analysis is considered normal and does not require any additional examinations and studies. But there are some situations where it is necessary to carefully look at the enlarged epithelial cells. This happens with suspected cervical erosion , dysplasia, and cancer. In this case, colposcopy or a biopsy of the cervix is prescribed. Such studies are carried out by a specialist with high professionalism, since the patient’s life may depend on the diagnosis as a result of the examination. If moderate to severe cervical damage is detected, treatment methods such as cauterization or removal of the affected area are prescribed.
Prevention, regular examination and examination, timely treatment of pathological processes can prolong your life for a long time. Take care of yourself and do not start the disease!