The epithelium is flat in the smear which means?

Going to the doctor is not the most wonderful pastime for any of us. But, paying attention to their health, we are forced to agree to various unpleasant procedures. Many women with some stiffness and dislike 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, complicated relationships with someone, a stormy personal life, failures, stress, delay visits to a gynecologist until health problems are acute.

When you visit a gynecologist you need to be ready for the fact that you have to take tests for the determination of bacteria and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina. After receiving the results, many questions arise, for example, whether the epithelium should be flat in the smear, or how many bacteria and other elements are allowed in the flora. In this article we will talk about the properties, species and the number of flat epithelium in the analyzes.

Indications for Assignment Analysis

Cell research should be performed 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 health of a representative of the weak half of society. If there are any abnormal changes in the cervix, the doctor can prescribe the analysis as much as necessary. Since recently, diseases of female genital organs have grown younger, the environmental situation has worsened and people are more exposed to stress, specialists prefer to prescribe a smear for cell research at least twice 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, you can see cells of the flat epithelium in the smear, it also shows the presence of leukocytes, bacteria, fungus.

Can the flat epithelium be in the smear?

Sometimes women, when receiving the results of the analysis, are afraid of the presence of squamous epithelial cells in it . But do not worry, because their presence is physiologically justified. The fact is that the cervix of the uterus and the vagina is lined with a tissue called the flat epithelium. In the smear, the norm of these cells in the field of view is up to 15 pieces. Their absence or significant deviation from the norm in the larger side indicates the presence of local pathological processes. 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 the woman's health (or lack of it) only by measuring the parameters of the flat epithelium in the smear with other elements.

The epithelium is flat in a smear in a small amount

Not always low values of any element in the analyzes indicate a norm. After all, any deviation from it can be detrimental to our health. The flat epithelium in the smear (the norm of which is indicated above) may be in the field of vision, but have the values 1,2,4. A small number of these cells may indicate a lack of production of estrogens, and male hormones an increased amount. If these cells are not visible at all with careful examination, this indicates that they are atrophied. Their complete absence should alert the specialist, since the death of epithelial cells can lead to the onset of a cancerous tumor. In order to confirm this assumption, it is necessary to do several more analyzes and studies, so there is no need to panic with such results.

What if the flat epithelium in the smear is above normal?

Specialists immediately pay attention to the results of the analysis if the cells of the flat epithelium in the smear are kept in large quantities. 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 of young patients.

Nuclear-free "scales" (which looks like a flat epithelium) can grow without a hearth. 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 epithelium is flat. In a smear a lot of it can be still because of the 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 the flat epithelium in the smear

The results of the most common smear may entail additional examinations and treatment. This occurs when the epithelial cells undergo a quantitative change. Epithelial cells should correspond to the norm in form, structure and size.

The epithelium flat in the smear can be together with the epithelium. This is not a deviation from the norm if a smear has been produced in the transitional zone (the cervical canal and the vaginal part of it). Considering the fact that the epithelium lays the canal and vagina in several layers, cells from different layers can be displayed in the analysis results. Multilayer flat epithelium can also appear in the smear, such results without additional anomalies 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 a reliable indication that cancer is developing. Abnormal in structure and structure of squamous epithelial cells can indicate the occurring inflammatory processes, the presence of papillomavirus infection, benign lesions of the cervix, dysplasia.

How does this type of cells vary with age?

A woman in her life goes through different stages of development, depending on her age, internal organs and cells also change. Not an exception, the epithelium became flat (in the smear it is designated as "Ep"). In reproductive age, women clearly see the boundary between the location of the cylindrical cells of the epithelium and the flat ones. 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 to the cervical canal. In women before and after menopause, squamous epithelial cells are no longer as large as they were before. They become thinner, and a lumen appears in the vessels.

Is it necessary to sound an alarm when a thin layer of epithelium appears in the smear?

If you have epithelium flat in the smear stratums located, then you need to consult a specialist for your own comfort. 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 for panic. After all, the flat epithelium lays the vagina and the walls of the cervix with layers. But with a significant excess of the norm for the number of cells, you need, without delay, go to the gynecologist for the appointment of a further examination.

How should you prepare for analysis?

Since a woman lives on a cycle, she needs to know when to do a vaginal smear. In reproductive age it is important to calculate the days of menstruation, otherwise the epithelium may be subject to changes in the smear. Many erroneous results were obtained on the hands of women precisely because of improper sampling of the biomaterial. For those women who have menstruation, they need to take a smear not earlier than the 5th day of menstruation. In addition, the analysis should be done a maximum of 5 days before the start of menstruation, not later. If a sexual intercourse has taken place, medications have been introduced into the vagina or sanation has been carried out, the biomaterial will be ready for collection only after 24 hours.

The material is applied on two glasses with a soft brush or spatula. Results are ready in 5-10 days.

What additional studies are prescribed when the squamous epithelium does not correspond to the norm?

If a single squamous epithelium is defined in a smear, but there is no change in the cervix, the analysis is normal and does not require any additional examinations and studies. But there are some situations when you need to carefully look at the epithelial cells in an enlarged view. This happens when there is a suspicion of erosion of the cervix, dysplasia, the development of cancer. In this case, a colposcopy or a cervical biopsy is prescribed. Such studies are conducted by a specialist with high professionalism, since the patient's life can depend on the diagnosis as a result of the examination. If a lesion of the cervix of the middle and severe degree is detected, such methods of treatment as moxibustion 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 run the disease!