The most frequently performed study in gynecology is the analysis of a smear on the flora. He is very informative and simple. However, it helps to establish whether inflammation occurs in the female reproductive tract and sometimes to identify its pathogen, as well as to determine what microflora is.
Typically, a smear test is performed at each visit to the gynecologist. In antenatal clinics it is free, and in private centers it is inexpensive. In different institutions, the number of parameters studied may vary.
Necessarily a smear is taken from the vagina, a little less often also from the cervical canal and urethra. These organs are very close to each other, so usually their flora and problems are similar.
So, smear analysis - decoding and norms:
- epithelium - single;
- white blood cells - single (urethra - up to 5, vagina - up to 15, cervical canal - up to 30 in the field of vision);
- flora - sticks;
- gonococci (gn) - no;
- trichomanades (trich) - no;
- erythrocytes - not detected;
- incomplete phagocytosis, mobilunkus, leptotrix, key cells, yeast-like fungi, false-key cells, mucus, cytoplasmic inclusions should not be detected.
The presence of an increased number of white blood cells indicates inflammation. In the absence of an epithelium, a gynecologist may suspect a lack of estrogen. Flora should mainly consist of sticks - these are the only beneficial microorganisms, although in a small amount conditionally pathogenic ones may also be present in it.
It is constantly changing depending on various factors, including the day of the cycle. Each woman has her own composition of microorganisms, which is the norm for her. However, it is the sticks that produce lactic acid, which does not allow pathogenic fungi and bacteria to multiply too much. Therefore, their lack is an alarming symptom.
Usually the presence of microorganisms in a smear is indicated by pluses, their maximum number is 4. Sometimes the following terms are used: single, small, moderate and significant amount.
Normally, a smear analysis should show the absence of gonococci and trichomonas. They should not be at all, otherwise treatment is required. Mushrooms, leptotrix, mobilkus, key cells can be in small quantities, which is a normal option. However, in this case, the doctor considers all the indicators in a complex, takes into account the patient's complaints and the condition of her genitals.
So, a significant number of key cells indicates bacterial vaginosis or gardnerellosis, especially against the background of a lack of rods and an excess of white blood cells. If there are a lot of yeast-like mushrooms, then this indicates genital candidiasis, it is also called "thrush."
In order for the smear analysis to be reliable, you need to properly prepare for it. For a day, or better for a few women can not douche, have sex, take a bath, inject tablets and suppositories into the vagina. The study is best done after menstruation in a few days. Before passing the smear for at least two hours you can not urinate.
The analysis is taken on a gynecological chair with an inserted mirror. A special brush is used to take the material. This procedure is absolutely painless in the absence of inflammation. Sometimes when taking a smear from the urethra , discomfort occurs.
The disadvantage of this study is its inability to identify certain pathogens. Microorganisms such as mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and chlamydia are simply not visible. Also, this analysis does not detect viruses, which today are increasingly causing inflammation.
If the smear showed its presence, but did not determine the pathogen, then additional studies are carried out. Nowadays, PCR crops are used, as well as mutual funds and RNIF. Less often, the amount of antibodies in the blood is determined.
So, the analysis of a smear on the flora is a simple and quick method to get an idea about the condition of the woman's urogenital tract. It is inexpensive, informative and very widely used today. This study is conducted by every woman visiting a gynecologist.