Slime in a smear on flora in women, men, children. What is it that shows the norm, the reasons

Slime in a smear on flora determined by microscopic examination of the biotope contained in the vaginal cavity, urethra or cervical canal. In women, this analysis reflects the general health of the internal genital organs, the balance of beneficial and pathogenic microflora.

In men, the concentration of mucus in a smear is established by diagnostic examination of the urethra. Small concentrations of biological material indicate a stable functioning of the excretory system. Excess mucus levels indicate the possible presence of an inflammatory process of infectious etiology.

Indications for research

Mucus in a smear on the flora, as well as the content of pathogenic microorganisms in it, can be established only in a biochemical laboratory. The indications for this analysis are pathological conditions of the organs of the genitourinary system in women, men and children of all age groups.

The selection of a smear with the determination of mucus indicators is prescribed in the following cases:

• suspicions of infection of the organs of the reproductive system with sexually transmitted infections;
• atypical foamy vaginal discharge, which are white, greenish, gray, yellow, and also have an unpleasant putrid or yeast odor;
• a feeling of severe cutting pain and burning that appears at the time of urination (this indication for research applies to adult men and women, as well as children of all age groups);
• inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, which is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection;
• chronic or acute prostatitis in men (a smear on mucus and biological agents is taken in order to determine the infectious agent that causes inflammation of the prostate gland);
• the period of rehabilitation of the organs of the reproductive system, the tissues of which have undergone surgical intervention (schedule for the delivery of a smear for mucus and pathogenic microorganisms is compiled by a gynecologist on an individual basis as the patient heals body);
• benign and cancerous tumors of the uterus, cervical canal, ovaries;
• chronic cystitis of bacterial etiology, which is in the stage of exacerbation;
• previously suffered injuries to the organs of the genitourinary system, which require long-term rehabilitation and regular monitoring by a gynecologist or urologist;
• acute and chronic kidney diseases associated with an inflammatory process of an infectious nature of origin;
• oncology of the bladder;
• bacterial urethritis, accompanied by acute symptoms, purulent discharge and erosion of the walls of the urethra;
• control testing after completion of the course of therapy for sexually transmitted infections;
• infertility of unknown etiology, when a woman does not have obvious signs of a painful state of the reproductive system, but pregnancy does not occur for 12 months;
• sexual and erectile disorders in men (a smear on mucus is taken in order to determine hidden infections that lead intracellular parasitic lifestyle, causing a sluggish inflammation of the prostate, testicles, testes, disrupting the functions of the genital organs).

Mucus in a smear on the flora is indicated for determination in women who are in a state of pregnancy. The primary analysis is carried out on the day of the first visit to the gynecologist, when the expectant mother only learns that a child is forming in her womb. If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, then the next smear collection for mucus and microflora is performed at 30 weeks of fetal development.

Control diagnostics is carried out at 35-36 weeks of gestation, when the birth of a baby is expected. Determination of mucus in a smear and the qualitative composition of microflora is a mandatory analysis of a preventive medical examination by a gynecologist, which is carried out at least once every 12 months.

How is it determined

Mucus in a smear on the flora in women is determined by examining biological material collected from the walls of the vagina, cervical and urethra.

To obtain the most accurate results, doctors recommend collecting biological material immediately from the 3 above sources of the possible presence of an inflammatory process and a focus of pathogenic microorganisms. Determination of the level of mucus and the qualitative composition of microflora is possible using a microscope.

With the help of this medical equipment, the collected smears are examined for the total volume of mucous secretions, the amount epithelial particles, the level of leukocytes, erythrocytes, altered cells, the presence of bacterial, viral and fungal microorganisms.

The average duration of the study of mucus for its qualitative and quantitative indicators is from 4 to 6 days. If an excessive concentration of several strains of bacterial infection is detected, the diagnostic process takes more time.

In this case, doctors may decide to conduct research on the sensitivity of infectious agents to specific types of antibacterial drugs. This is necessary in order to correctly select a drug with bacteriostatic properties in the future, which will be effective against infectious microorganisms of this type.

Preparation and analysis

Mucus in a smear for flora in women is given in the direction of a gynecologist. There must be direct medical indications for this analysis.

Before visiting the doctor and handing over the biological material, the patient must follow the following preparation rules:

1. Take the test no earlier than on the 5th day of the menstrual cycle in order to prevent blood particles from entering the biological material (if this measure is not observed, then according to the results of the study, false information about the concentration erythrocytes).
2. Refuse to perform douching and other manipulations aimed at thorough washing the cavity of the vagina and cervical canal, because in this case, the diagnostic results will not objective.
3. Avoid intimacy during the last 48 hours before the date of the smear test on the level of mucus and microflora.
4. 3 hours before visiting a biochemical laboratory or a gynecologist, who must take samples of biological material, wash the genitals using toilet soap and warm water. It is strictly forbidden to use special intimate hygiene products that can disrupt the true balance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.
5. The last urination should take place no later than 1 hour before the smear collection. If there is a slight overflow of the bladder, then it is better to be patient and wait until the doctor takes samples of mucus, and only then go to the toilet. This will avoid the leaching of microorganisms from the urethra that colonize the mucous membrane of its walls.

For the rest, a woman is recommended to lead a normal life. Overwork of the body, nervous overstrain and heavy physical labor should not be allowed.

In the evening before the appointed date for the analysis, you must go to bed earlier in order to ensure yourself a good rest, and also the stable work of the immune system, which will not allow a pathological increase in the level of disease-causing microorganisms.

The implementation of the above recommendations ensures that the most reliable research results are obtained without distorting them and the need to re-take a smear.

The step-by-step process for conducting a mucus test in a smear for flora is as follows:

1. At a strictly appointed time and date, a woman comes to an appointment with a gynecologist.
2. The patient undresses and sits down in a gynecological chair, legs apart as wide as possible.
3. The doctor takes a pre-prepared medical instrument, with the help of which the walls of the vagina are pushed apart.
4. Smears of mucous contents are taken from the lining of the cervical canal.
5. Similar manipulations are performed inside the vagina and urethra.
6. All 3 samples of biological material that were obtained using these manipulations should be sent to the laboratory within 1 hour for further diagnostics.

At the end of the examination process, the woman gets dressed, and the gynecologist appoints the date of the next appointment, during which the results of the study are deciphered. In men, the selection of biological material is carried out in sterile conditions of the urologist's office, and the object of study is the mucous contents of the urethra.

Decoding the results

Mucus in a smear on the flora in women is a rather informative research method that reflects the general health of the female reproductive system. Deciphering of the diagnostic results is performed by a gynecologist, urologist or infectious disease specialist.

To carry out an independent interpretation of the laboratory report data, you need to know about what constituents of mucus are indicators of the norm, and which in the analysis should be completely absent. The table below provides detailed information that is guided in the process of decoding the results of the analysis of mucus in a smear for flora.

The constituents of mucus that can be found in the vaginal cavity, cervical canal and urethra	Interpretation of research results
Leukocytes	As part of the mucous contents collected from the walls of the vagina, urethra and cervical canal, a small amount of leukocytes is allowed. A high concentration of these cells indicates the development of acute or chronic inflammation. In this case, the patient is prescribed an additional examination in order to detect a focus of infectious microorganisms.
Epithelial cells	A small amount of fragments of epithelial cells is also allowed as part of a smear for flora. The complete absence of epithelium is the first sign of a possible imbalance in sex hormones. For example, estrogen deficiency, as well as excess concentration of male testosterone. The detection of a large number of epithelial cells is also a signal of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the internal genital organs.
Excessive mucous secretions	The presence of mucus in the vaginal cavity and cervical canal is a normal state of the female reproductive system, as it indicates a stable functioning of the endocrine glands. The detection of mucus in the urethra is considered a symptom of the developing pathology of the urinary tract, which in most cases has an inflammatory etiology.
Erythrocytes	Taking a smear on the 5th day of the menstrual cycle, as well as at a later period, minimizes the risk of blood particles entering the composition of the biological material. Normally, red blood cells should not be present in vaginal mucus, cervical canal and urethra. The appearance of red blood cells in the composition of mucous masses indicates erosion of the uterus, the occurrence of ulcers and cracks inside the vagina. Red blood cells are also found in women who have suffered internal genital trauma.
Reborn cells	The appearance of degenerated cells in the composition of mucus indicates a precancerous state of the tissues of the reproductive system. A similar conclusion of the study is also typical for patients inside whom a formed malignant tumor is already present. Women with this diagnostic result are prescribed a repeated collection of mucus using a smear, as well as an additional examination of the uterus and ovaries using ultrasound, MRI, CT.
Gardnerells	These are pathogenic microorganisms, the presence of which is characteristic of such diseases of the female genitourinary system as vaginosis and vaginal dysbiosis. The disease can proceed in a chronic and latent form, therefore, the detection of gardnerella indicates an infectious infection of the genital organ and the need for drug treatment.
Fungal microorganisms from the genus Candida	The presence of a fungus of this type in a smear indicates that a woman is sick with candidiasis. In everyday life, this disease is also called "thrush". The main reason for the development of the disease is associated with a decrease in local and general immunity, prolonged use of antibacterial drugs, hormonal imbalance.
Cocci	This is a whole group of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms that should not be present in the female microflora. An excessive amount of bacteria of this group indicates the course of the inflammatory process of an infectious nature.
Gonococci	In women with a healthy genitourinary system, gonococci should be completely absent from the mucus of the vagina and cervical canal. The presence of these bacteria in a smear on the flora indicates that a woman is sick with gonorrhea. This is a sexually transmitted disease, the causative agents of which are capable of destroying the mucous membrane and tissues of the vagina, cervical canal, uterus, urethra, rectum.
Staphylococcus	The presence of staphylococcal infection in the smear is also not an indicator of the norm. The presence of these microorganisms indicates a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system, the consequences of hypothermia, a sluggish inflammation in the tissues of the internal genital organs.
Streptococcus	Streptococci are conditionally pathogenic microorganisms that live in the mouth and nose, as well as in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The detection of these bacteria in the composition of the mucus of the vagina and cervical canal is a sign of latent inflammation. A further increase in the population of streptococci causes erosion of the vaginal mucosa and cervix.
Enterococcus	Enterococcus is another type of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms for which the composition of the mucous contents of the vagina, urethra and cervical canal is checked without fail. The presence of a large number of these bacteria is a signal of the imminent development of inflammation of the urinary tract and vaginal mucosa.
Trichomonas	In the event that a laboratory report on the results of a mucus smear test on flora states that Trichomonas is present in the collected biological material, this indicates the presence of a disease trichomoniasis. This disease is sexually transmitted and belongs to the category of sexually transmitted diseases.

During a laboratory study of mucus collected using a smear, the degree of purity of the microflora in the internal genital organs is assessed. Particular attention is paid to the walls of the vagina.

The interpretation of the results is carried out using the following classification:

• 1st degree - the pH of the mucous membrane is acidic, and a sufficient amount of lactobacilli is found in the biological material (there are also epithelial cells);
• 2nd degree - the pH of the vagina remains acidic, but the smear reveals the presence of leukocytes, gram-positive cocci, and a decrease in the level of lactobacilli is recorded;
• Grade 3 - the pH of the internal genital organs is slightly acidic with a change in the biochemical composition, occurs a significant decrease in lactobacilli, there is a large number of leukocytes, epithelial and coccal cells;
• 4 degree - the pH of the vagina is completely alkaline, and strains of pyogenic infections are found in the mucus, almost completely there are no beneficial lactobacilli, there is an excess of leukocytes, epithelial cells and erythrocytes.

Mucus in a smear on the flora in women is a microbiological analysis that reflects the true state of the internal genital organs. In the absence of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the reproductive system, the result of diagnostics is the presence of cleanliness of the microflora of 1 and 2 degrees.

When to see a doctor

In the event that a woman discovers uncharacteristic vaginal discharge, feels pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in time of intimacy, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, other signs of inflammation appear, then this is a reason to turn to to a gynecologist.

The doctor will perform a general examination of the genitals, conduct a diagnostic examination and perform the selection of smears for further microbiological examination.

Men who experience a prolonged burning sensation while urinating have an atypical discharge from the urethra, pain in the perineum, various kinds of erectile and sexual disorders, should seek medical help from urologist.

A visit to specialized specialists should take place in the first 1-2 days after the onset of pathological symptoms. The average cost of an examination is 2100-2800 rubles.

Possible complications

Ignoring painful symptoms associated with changes in the microflora inside the urethra, vagina and cervical canal, the appearance of an excess amount of mucus, can lead to the development of the following complications and negative consequences:

• infertility in men and women;
• uterine cancer;
• ovarian cystosis;
• benign prostatic hyperplasia in men;
• decrease or complete cessation of spermatogenesis;
• opening of vaginal bleeding;
• miscarriage in case of conception of a child;
• penetration of infection into the kidneys, bladder, rectum;
• prostate cancer.

Mucus in a smear on microflora in women is one of the most effective methods for diagnosing the general condition of the vagina, cervical canal and urethra. To obtain the most accurate and reliable results, the collection of biological material is carried out from all 3 places at once.

A smear on the flora makes it possible to find out about the level of leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, the possible presence of infectious microorganisms. This type of analysis allows you to detect signs of latent inflammation when a woman does not yet feel all the symptoms of the disease.

Taking a smear for the purity of mucus requires minimal preparation, is completely painless, and is carried out in 10-15 minutes.

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