Going to the doctor is not the best time for any of us. But, paying attention to our he alth, we are forced to agree to various unpleasant procedures. Many women think about their visit to the gynecologist with some stiffness and hostility. 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 stormy personal life, failures, stress put off visiting a gynecologist until he alth problems become acute.
When visiting a gynecologist, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to take tests to determine bacteria and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina. After receiving 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 analysis appointment
Cell testing should be done regularly in all women who are over 18 years of age. It is appointed once a year and does not depend on the state of he alth of the representative of the weaker half of society. If there are any pathological changes in the cervix, the doctor can prescribe an analysis for as long as necessary. Since recently diseases of the female genital organs have become younger, the ecological situation has worsened and people have become more susceptible to stress, experts prefer to prescribe a smear for cell examination 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 a woman. In addition to the fact that you can see squamous cells in a smear, it also shows the presence of leukocytes, bacteria, fungus.
Can squamous 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 a 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 draw a conclusion about the state of he alth, based only on this indicator in the analysis. A doctor can get a complete picture of a woman's he alth (orabsence) only by measuring the indicators of the squamous epithelium in the smear with other elements.
Squamous epithelium in a smear in a small amount
Not always low values of any element in the analyzes indicate the norm. After all, any deviation from it can adversely affect our he alth. Squamous epithelium in a smear (the norm of which is indicated above) may be in sight, but have values of 1, 2, 4. A small number of these cells may indicate a lack of estrogen production, and an increased amount of male hormones. If these cells are not visible at all on close examination, this indicates that they are atrophied. Their complete absence should alert the specialist, since the death of epithelial cells can lead to the occurrence of a cancerous tumor. In order to confirm this assumption, we 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 above normal?
Specialists immediately pay attention to the results of the analysis if the cells of the squamous epithelium in the smear are contained in large numbers. Indicators above 15 are considered a deviation from the norm and may indicate the presence of such pathological processes as inflammation of the tissues of the cervix, 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 what a squamous epithelium looks like) can grow without a focus. This is observed in benign tumors, as well as in the pathological process of hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis is a violation of keratinization, in which the responsible organs do not control how much and how the squamous epithelium occurs. In a smear, a lot of it can still be due to a significant excess of the amount of estrogens 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 ordinary smear may lead to additional examinations and treatment. This occurs when the epithelial cells undergo a quantitative change. Epithelial cells should correspond to the norm in shape, structure and size.
Squamous 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 its vaginal part). Given that the epithelium covers the canal and vagina in several layers, cells from different layers can 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 within the normal range.
Don't worry too much if you have mutated epithelial cells. This is notreliable evidence that cancer is developing. Abnormal in structure and structure of squamous epithelial cells may indicate ongoing inflammatory processes, the presence of human papillomavirus infection, benign lesions of the cervix, dysplasia.
How does this type of cell change with age?
A woman goes through different stages of development in her life, depending on her age, internal organs and cells also change. The squamous 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 ones is clearly visible. They have a typical appearance, and the results of the analysis will be reliable due to their correct localization. In the course of life, this clear boundary moves into the cervical canal. In women before and during menopause, squamous epithelial 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 squamous epithelium appears in layers in a smear?
If you have squamous epithelium in a smear in layers, then you need to consult a specialist for your own peace of mind. Such results should be analyzed starting with its number in the field of view. If the norm is not exceeded, the cells are not changed, there is no reason to panic. After all, the squamous epithelium lines the vagina and the walls of the cervix in 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 should one prepare for analysis?
Because a woman lives in a cycle, she needs to know when is the best time to take a vaginal smear. In reproductive age, it is important to calculate the days of menstruation, otherwise the squamous epithelium in the smear may be subject to changes. Many erroneous results were received by women precisely because of the wrong sampling of biomaterial. For those women 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, no later. If sexual intercourse took place, medications were introduced into the vagina or sanitation was carried out, the biomaterial will be ready for taking 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 correspond to the norm?
If a single squamous epithelium is determined in a 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 when it is necessary to carefully look at the epithelial cells in an enlarged form. This happens with suspicion of cervical erosion, dysplasia, cancer development. In this case, a colposcopy or a biopsy of the cervix is appointed. Such studies are carried out by a specialist with high professionalism, since from the diagnosis as a resultexamination may affect the life of the patient. If a moderate to severe cervical lesion is found, treatments 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 don't get sick!
