Smear on the flora (or vaginal smear) - the most common analyzes in gynecological practice. Smear on the flora reveals some diseases of the female genital organs (bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, vaginitis, infections, sexually transmitted infections, tumors of the cervix and the prisoner's).

Smear is taken as follows: in Racz makes scraping from mucosal internal genitals (vagina, cervix, endocervical, urethral), which was then examined under a microscope. Laboratory smear to determine the nature of the microflora of the vagina, cervical canal or urethra. The microflora is a collection of germs of any organ. The microflora of the female genital organs lactobacilli dominate, thanks to which the vagina is supported acidic environment prevents the growth of germs. Imbalance of the vaginal flora is typical for a number of diseases of the female reproductive organs, in particular, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, vaginitis. In addition, a smear on the flora reveals diseases, sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis.

When you need to pass a smear on the flora?

Smear on the flora is made for diagnosis of inflammatory diseases in the presence of these symptoms:

• pain or discomfort in the abdomen;
• the presence of suspicious vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge ;
• itching and burning in the genital area.

Also, a smear on the flora recommended to take a view on the planned preventive gynecological examination (every three to six months), if you are planning a pregnancy, or have completed a course of antibiotics or medications that reduce immunity.

How to prepare for the delivery of a smear on the flora?

To obtain reliable research results one day before the procedure is recommended to eliminate sexual intercourse, douching or using any vaginal products (creams, suppositories). For two or three hours before taking scrapings for research is not recommended to urinate.

Tell your doctor if you are expecting a child or suspected pregnancy.

How is taking a smear on the flora?

Fencing material for the research carried out in the office of a gynecologist. The woman removes the clothes from the waist down and lies on her back on an examination table Gynaecological chair: Take a closer look With his feet on the correct stand. The doctor examines the genital area and using a special disposable spatula scraping takes from the vagina. After carrying out a scraping from the mucosa of the vagina, cervical canal and the urethra, the resulting material was applied onto a glass slide, which is further sent to a laboratory where it is first dyed with special dyes and then examined under a microscope.

The risks and complications of the procedure of taking a smear on the flora

Fence swab from the vagina causes no complications and does not involve any risk for the health of the woman.

Smear on the flora

Smear on the flora are usually available within one to two days. Smear on the flora assessed on the following parameters:

• Squamous epithelium: the lining of the inner surface of the vagina and cervix. Normally, the number of epithelial smear The epithelium in smear - as evidenced by the deviation from the norm   It depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle of women. The large number of squamous epithelium in smear can indicate inflammation. The lack of epithelium in smear indicates a violation of hormonal background.
• White blood cells: white blood cells - the cells involved in the destruction of harmful bacteria. Intrusion of smear small number of leukocytes: not more than ten leukocytes into the vagina not more than thirty leukocytes into the cervical canal. Elevated levels of white blood cells in the smear White blood cells in the smear - an important diagnosis   - A sign of inflammation.
• Gram-positive rods (lactobacilli Doderlein or "vaginal" sticks) - is "good" lactobacilli, which dominate the normal flora of the vagina. Normally in a smear present a large number of Gram-positive rods. Reducing the amount of lactic bacteria is one of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis.
• Mucus: mucus - a product of the work of glands of the vagina and cervix. Normally in a smear contains a small amount of mucus.

In a smear may contain other pathogens: Trichomonas (the causative agent of urogenital trichomoniasis), Candida (yeast pathogen), gonorrhea (gonorrhea) and others.

Speculum - it is one of the most important diagnostic tools in the office of an obstetrician-gynecologist. Gynecological mirrors may have a different shape and diameter, and in accordance with the same and different purpose. With the speculum can be done a variety of diagnostic tests.

What are the gynecological mirrors

Gynecological mirrors needed for the inspection of the vagina and cervix. At the same gynecologist left hand pushes the large and small labia, widely exposing the vagina, and then enters the rear mirror according to the direction of the vagina (the top front - backwards down) and then the front.

Pulling the front and rear mirror in different directions and moving them, examine the mucosa (color, folded, grain, breaks, growths, scarring, redness, swelling, Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause , Various types of discharge), find out the size and shape of the vaginal part of the cervix, the opening shape of the uterus (external os), the presence of fractures, erosion, discharge from the cervical canal. This can be detected precancerous lesions and early stage cervical cancer Cervical cancer: possible cure .

Types speculum

Gynecological mirrors may be of different shape and diameter (numbers 1-6), depending on the size and capacity of the female pelvis vagina. In the study of vaginal spoon-shaped mirror Sims pulled back wall of the vagina, under the front introduced the so-called lift.

Simon fluted mirrors consist of two spoons with handles: one spoon fluted (rear) for pulling the posterior vaginal wall, the other - flat (front mirror, lift) is injected under the front wall of the vagina. Mirrors manufactured in various widths according to have the numbers 2 and 3.

Speculum Ott-lift characterized in that the spoon-shaped part (number of different diameters of 1 to number 4) and the flat plate (lift) fixed to the gutter in the pen by a screw.

The divided mirror Cusco eliminates the need to use the lift and release the doctor's hands for the production of vaginal manipulation (taking secretions from the cervix, etc.), as both wing mirrors after their introduction in the vagina can be fiksirovny special spacer in position. Depending on the width of the flaps folding mirrors have a size of from 1 to 3.

If necessary, open wide the vagina (for example, vaginal cesarean section, vaginal hysterectomy) using wide flat mirror Doyen. Depending on the width of spoons these mirrors are numbered from 1 to 5.

If you want to more closely examine the mucosa of the cervix and vagina (for example, to distinguish the true from the pseudo-erosion), the use of special optical equipment - colposcope, which allows you to see all the changes in this area.

Children gynecological mirrors

To study the girls and young women are offered a special children's gynecological mirrors, with which you can carry out inspection (especially under anesthesia), while minimally damaging the hymen and vagina. For older girls (12 and older) mirrors have the same width throughout the working part, for young girls mirror narrowed from the working end of the handle. Available in flat, and special children's gynecological lifts.

For a more detailed examination of the vaginal part of the cervix and vaginal walls, and for therapeutic manipulation in girls used fluted vaginal gynecological mirror with removable lighters, included in a special set. The mirror has the shape of the trough in which the two spring clamps fixed tube fixture, the contour of the curved mirror. Inside the tube is placed the power cord, ending at the mirror of the working of the bulb. The lamp is covered by a cap made of organic glass to protect the field from the examination of possible injuries at its destruction. The set includes: a mirror with removable illuminators (numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4), a step-down transformer 12 replacement bulbs and 5 caps.

Speculum - it is one of the earliest of gynecological instruments, however, and today without it can not do any gynecological office in antenatal or obstetric hospital.

Galina Romanenko