Any disease can be prevented than then try to cure its neglected form. Women are more often at risk of developing gynecological diseases. The reason for this is the poor environmental situation, as well as the frequent change of their sexual partners and the development of gynecological infections. For prophylaxis, any woman should visit the gynecologist twice a year for prophylaxis. In this case, the doctor takes a smear on the flora, and according to the analysis obtained, the norm of leukocytes of the cervical canal is determined. This is what we will talk about in this article.
How are samples taken?
To determine the norm of leukocytes of the cervical canal, it is necessary to take a smear. It is one of the methods of research in gynecology, due to which experts identify various female ailments of the genital organs, for example, a uterine tumor, thrush, vaginosis, and STDs. But what is a smear fence for the fair sex?
During this procedure, you can get material for microscopic laboratory research. A female doctor takes a scraping from the mucous membranes of the genitals. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that smears are divided into two types: smear on the flora, due to which it is possible to detect the presence of microbes, as well as cytological scraping, which allows you to examine the tissue of the cervix.
This smear on the flora is able to identify a feature of the microflora of the female genital organ. If the natural microflora in the vagina, as well as in the cervix, is disturbed, this can provoke serious gynecological diseases.
Normally, this procedure includes several elements: epithelial cells, rod flora, as well as white blood cells.
According to the number of epithelial cells, the specialist determines the day of the menstrual cycle, the content of individual hormones. Deviation from the norm of leukocytes of the cervical canal or its absence can confirm or refute the development of infectious diseases.
In each phase, the norm will be different. In the first phase, the norm of leukocytes of the cervical canal should be from 10 units. For the second phase, the norm is considered from 10 to 15 units. Thanks to the rod flora, acidity is provided inside the vagina. The presence of other microorganisms in the flora indicates the development of diseases that need treatment.
A smear is also taken to prevent various female genital ailments. In addition, this analysis is necessary for diagnosis if a woman has a feeling of some discomfort, itching, and also discharge. Analysis of the flora is recommended for women after a long antibiotic intake, as well as before conception.
The smear is taken using a special gynecological tool in the office, on the chair. The procedure is painless. Only a few patients feel a little discomfort while taking a smear. The material is applied to a special glass, and then sent to the laboratory for further research. The finished material is stained with special reagents, studied by the microscopic method, due to which deviations are detected. The same method can determine the norm of leukocytes in the cervical canal in women.
Analysis preparation
It is necessary to prepare correctly for taking a smear. There are certain recommendations that must be observed in order for the results of the analysis to be correct. If a woman has menstruation, then a visit to the gynecologist will need to be postponed. During the period of menstruation, a smear is not taken, since it will be impossible to see some pathological abnormalities among the red blood cells, because the blood has an antimicrobial effect. A smear test is best done in the middle of the cycle or a few days after the end of menstruation.
Before taking the tests, you do not need to thoroughly wash your genitals, the flora must be natural. You can only wash with soap, and shampoos, gels and special products should never be used. Acidity in the vagina is disturbed by the use of various detergents.
It is also necessary to refrain from urinating for a couple of hours before going to the clinic. Before sampling the analysis, you should not use vaginal suppositories, ointments and creams or medications. It is also forbidden to take a bath and do douching before such an examination. For a couple of days, it is also worth abandoning intimacy.
If you follow all the recommendations, you can count on the correct result of the analysis, as a result of which you do not have to re-take the smear.
Decryption of analyzes
Results from the cervical canal are indicated by the letter C. As for the norm of leukocytes in the cervical canal in women, it is from 0 to 15. As mentioned earlier, this indicator will differ from the phase of the menstrual cycle. Trichomonas should normally be absent. Also should not be present in the analysis of gonococcus and candida.
If there are increased white blood cells in the cervical canal, then this indicates an inflammatory process that requires treatment. You do not need to deal with decryption on your own, only a qualified doctor is responsible for this.
White blood cells
During studies on the flora, a specialist identifies the number of leukocytes in the cervical canal. The norm, as already mentioned, can be different. If there are not many, then this is absolutely normal. These cells are designed to protect the female genital organ from various infections.
The norm of leukocytes in a smear from the cervical canal in a healthy woman should be up to 15 units in the field of view, but no more. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the amount will depend on the day of the menstrual cycle. That is why, during the analysis, the gynecologist who takes the smear should ask the patient when she had her period.
If elevated leukocytes in the cervical canal are detected, then this indicates that an inflammatory process develops in the woman's genitals. Most often this is observed with colpitis, vaginitis and other infections. The greater the deviation from the normal number of leukocytes in the cervical canal, the more acute the disease. In order to clarify the diagnosis, an additional examination is carried out.
Let's take a closer look at what the norm of leukocytes in the cervical canal should be in a woman:
- This indicator should be no more than 15 units.
- In the vagina, the norm is not more than 10 units.
- As for the indicators of the cervix, it should be no more than 15 units.
- In the urethra, the white blood cells should normally be less than 5.
The number of leukocytes in the cervical canal in a healthy woman should be normal. After putting a smear on the flora, you should also ask your doctor about the results.
Elevated level
If the leukocyte count in the cervical canal is increased in the field of view, then this indicates inflammation. The higher the indicator, the more acute the disease develops. If, in the results of the analysis, it is written that the white blood cells have covered the entire field of view, then this suggests that urgent measures should be taken, immediately starting treatment.
You should also pay attention to the fact that the norm of leukocytes in the cervical canal during pregnancy increases, since hormones affect this indicator.
Inflammatory processes most often develop against a background of diseases that are transmitted during intercourse. In parallel with this, thrush can also be a cause of abnormal white blood cells of the separated cervical canal.
Possible diseases
As mentioned earlier, with a deviation from the norm, diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse develop in the largest direction. These include:
- Syphilis.
- Mycoplasmosis
- Herpes.
- Ureaplasmosis.
- Gonorrhea.
In addition, there are other diseases in which epithelial cells and leukocytes in the cervical canal increase. These include the following ailments:
- Cancer of the reproductive system in women.
- Endometritis, which is an inflammatory process of the uterine walls.
- Cervicitis, which is an inflammatory process of the cervix.
- Intestinal dysbiosis.
- Colpitis, which is an inflammation of the vaginal wall.
- Vaginal dysbiosis.
- Urethritis, which is a disease of the genitourinary system.
- Adnexitis, which is an inflammatory process that develops in the ovaries.
If a high white blood cell count is detected, as a rule, the specialist prescribes additional research methods. To identify the main reason for the development of a particular ailment, it is also necessary to pass an analysis by PCR. When this or that disease is determined in the patient, the gynecologist should prescribe a course of therapy. If in this case the local medications are ineffective, then antibiotic therapy is used.
In practice, there have been cases when, after treatment, the number of leukocytes did not decrease. Most often, this is caused by vaginal dysbiosis. In this case, a second course of antibiotic treatment is prescribed.
In no case should women ignore elevated white blood cell counts, even if other unpleasant symptoms are absent. Proper treatment helps eliminate any gynecological disease.
White blood cells are reduced
If, after taking a smear, a specialist revealed that the number of leukocytes is reduced, then this is also a deviation from the norm. This phenomenon is often observed in the group of women who rarely have sex. In older women, white blood cells may be completely absent. In addition, such a deviation from the norm is observed with atrophy of tissues inside the vagina. In general, such cases are quite rare and are considered a deviation from the norm. An insufficient number of leukocytes or their complete absence negatively affects the health of the patient, since there is no protection of the genitals, therefore they are the most vulnerable to infection and the development of it. To strengthen the immune system, it is necessary to maintain a normal number of white blood cells in women in the cervical canal.
How to increase the number of white blood cells?
Those women who lack white blood cells, as well as their complete absence, can increase this indicator. But how to do that? There are several simple rules for this:
- Follow the rules of intimate hygiene.
- Wash your genitals regularly, in particular in the evening, as well as before and after sex.
- During washing, use a special tool or soap, which is characterized by a low level of acidity, because in the vagina it is necessary to maintain a natural pH level.
- Do not use gels for intimate hygiene, as they wash protective bacteria from the genitals.
If the genitalia is dry outside, then you need to use after washing some special moisturizer, which contains the hormone estrogen. This external remedy will help a woman get rid of dryness, and also have a positive effect on the microflora of the vagina.
The most important condition is sexual intimacy with a partner. A sufficient amount of intimacy in the life of the fair sex allows her to regulate the level of leukocytes in the cervical canal. Consequently, the woman’s body will be protected.
In case of a low white blood cell count, it is necessary to follow simple rules, then the level can be increased. If, with such recommendations, the level still does not increase, you should seek the help of a specialist.
Norm during pregnancy
In pregnant women, the risk of developing an infection increases, since their hormonal background changes dramatically. The number of leukocytes in the smear indicates the presence or absence of an inflammatory process. In pregnant women, the white blood cell count may be slightly higher, and this will not talk about infection. In addition, if this level increased by only a few units, then this is considered the norm. But if the figure has increased several times, then this may indicate the development of the inflammatory process, which must be urgently treated.
During pregnancy, the inflammatory process can provoke serious complications, for example:
- Premature birth.
- Infection of the fetus during labor.
- Abortion.
- Weak labor.
In order to prevent the occurrence of infection, a pregnant woman should be tested for flora at least 3 times in her entire pregnancy. A smear is taken at the initial appointment, after which the analysis is submitted for a period of 30 weeks, as well as at the 37th week. If a pregnant patient complains to a specialist that itching and burning sensation on the external genital organs, then it is necessary to take a smear additionally. On the flora, taking an analysis is completely safe for the fetus.
If one or another infection was detected during the study, then a woman should be prescribed treatment immediately. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that during pregnancy all drugs should be selected with great care. The specialist during the selection of drugs takes into account the period, as well as certain features of the female body.
As for the interpretation of the tests in pregnant women, it is the same as in the other patients. As a rule, the indicator during pregnancy will be slightly higher than normal, about 20 units in the field of view.
Conclusion
The norm of leukocytes in the cervical canal in healthy patients is no more than 15 units. If during the analysis of the flora the representative of the fair sex revealed any deviations, especially an increase, then you should take a therapeutic course, after consulting with your gynecologist in advance.
All detected infections must be treated without fail, especially if they were detected in the patient during pregnancy. To prevent complications, treatment should be started as soon as possible.