At each scheduled appointment, a gynecologist is given a smear on the flora. In antenatal clinics it is done for free, and in private clinics it is inexpensive. This analysis must be taken when the patient complains, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
A gynecologist does this on a chair when examined with a mirror. The analysis should be done before a two-handed examination, staining of the cervix with iodine solution, colposcopy and other manipulations. The result depends on how the analysis is taken. With a spatula or brush, the secretions are taken and distributed on the glass. Then it goes to the laboratory. If the glass is spread too thick, the result will be incorrect.
One of the most important indicators of this analysis are white blood cells in a smear, which indicate the presence of inflammation. Normally, there should be no more than 15 in sight. However, after receiving an analysis with an increased number of white blood cells, and without having any complaints, the woman should not be upset, but rather retake it. Ideally, you need to do this with another doctor. Perhaps the second smear will be good.
A competent doctor looks not only at white blood cells in a smear, but also at other indicators. If there is inflammation, then there are few or no rods, but cocci, on the contrary, are many.
In addition, the appearance of the mucous membranes of the vulva, cervix, vagina, as well as the nature of the secretions from the genital tract is important. An experienced doctor can suspect inflammation only by their smell and appearance. Patient complaints before and during the examination are important.
The results of the analysis for cytology, which is usually taken with a smear on the flora, will also be useful. He will detect cervical inflammation. In addition, the analysis itself on the flora can reveal such pathogens of inflammation as Trichomonas, gonococci, fungi.
So, white blood cells in a smear cause:
- STDs
- colpitis;
- cervicitis;
- urethritis;
- endometritis;
- adnexitis;
- genital oncology;
- dysbiosis of the vagina or intestines.
A persistent increase in white blood cells in the analysis or the presence of other signs of inflammation requires additional research. Be sure to sow microflora with an antibiotic. It allows you to identify pathogens such as staphylococci, Escherichia coli, streptococci, determine their number and choose the drug to which they are sensitive.
Of course, pathogenic microorganisms, such as gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonads, are best looked for using DNA diagnostics. It must also be used to detect herpes, cytomegalovirus, and HPV.
On mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas, it is better to do inoculation with an antibiogram. Since they can be in a woman and not cause inflammation.
Therefore, if white blood cells are found in a smear, treatment is not immediately possible. You must first find out what caused the inflammation.
Moreover, the white blood cells in the smear also indicate how acute the process is. The more of them, the stronger the inflammation. The number of leukocytes can reach 100 in the field of view.
However, there are situations when tests for infections do not reveal anything, or treatment has been carried out, control tests show the norm, and white blood cells in the smear are still at a high level. Doctors believe that in this case the cause is vaginal dysbiosis, that is, a violation of the ratio between microorganisms.
Treatment with antibiotics in this case can only do much harm, since quite often it is they that lead to such a disease. In this situation, periodic rehabilitation courses using candles are necessary, as well as restoration of the intestinal and vaginal microflora .
Thus, white blood cells in a smear above normal are most often a sign of inflammation in the genitals. However, sometimes this may be due to a mistake made by a doctor or laboratory. To prescribe treatment, it is necessary to identify the pathogen of inflammation with the help of additional studies. A stubbornly increased white blood cell count in the absence of a pathogen indicates dysbacteriosis of the vagina and intestines. In this situation, it is necessary to restore their microflora.