Why take smear in genital tract?
Smear of the genital tract - one of the most common methods of diagnosis in obstetrics and gynecology. This study is quite safe for women and very informative for the doctor. On the basis of such strokes can be conducted two analyses: study microbial flora of the vagina and indicative cytological diagnosis. We tell only the first, because it is mandatory for all women during pregnancy.
How and when investigating vaginal microflora
Smears, which determine the state of microflora, are collected from women during pregnancy at least three times: in the primary treatment for gynecology, 30 weeks on the age at the time of issuance and exchange maps on the age 36 - 37 weeks. The need for additional study arises if the complaints appear pregnant itching, burning in the area of external genital organs and / or vagina, changes in the number, color or smell selections: such symptoms may be a sign of inflammation. In order to get reliable research results, it is necessary for 7 - 10 days before taking smear exclude the application of antibacterial drugs. In addition, 24 hours before the analysis should stop holding sprintsevaniy, treatment of vaginal candles, etc.
To study the doctor takes three stroke: from the cervical canal (a channel cervix), with walls of the vagina and mouth parauretral moves (for each of these swabs used separate spatula). Taking smear - a simple and painless procedure. To gynecological mirror was not cold and you do not unpleasant sensations, before manipulation doctor can heat his hot water. The contents of strokes applied to the slide, which then enters the lab, where analysis paintable material for the special methodology and shall microscope. In some situations, doctors are studying not only with the help of a microscope slide, but the resulting material is placed in breeding grounds in the cup Petri. When the bacteria form a breeding colony, the appearance of which depends on the type of bacteria. By the way, using this method and determine the sensitivity of microbes to various antibiotics.
Bacteria-good neighbours or irreconcilable enemies?
After reviewing the results of the study, a doctor can get information on the composition of vagina microflor, the total number of microbes, the existence and expression of inflammation and, finally, on the status of the vaginal epithelium.
Vaginal microflora - these are the microbes that it inhabits. In the vagina healthy women predominate useful microorganisms. The leading place among these are lakto bacteria that form a kind of barrier to the spread of pathogens (disease) microbes. Moreover, lactic acid, which is formed in the course of their life, largely determines the acidity (pH) environment vagina. When sufficient quantities laktobacteria sour Wednesday vagina suppresses the growth of pathogenic microbes. At a time when laktobacteria killed, acidity environment and reduced the number of pathogenic bacteria increases.
Bok-by-side with helpful bacteria live with disease properties, but these properties are not able to emerge before that hinder their useful neighbors. In normal immunity, as a rule, various microorganisms, inhabits the vagina, remain in a state of truce. With the weakening of the immunity created favorable conditions for expanding the influence of pathogenic microbes. Microflora vagina responsive to external as well as to internal changes in the female body. The negative impact on the normal vaginal flora can have the use of antibiotics, hormonal fluctuations, hormonal or chemo-therapy, radiation therapy, surgical exposure, stressful situations and other factors. Pregnancy also has an impact on the microflora of the vagina, since in this period significantly changing hormonal background immunity. His peak reached in these changes III trimester. Therefore, it is in this period, women are often concerned at the symptoms of inflammation, referred to above. The most common cause of the condition during pregnancy is drozhzhepodobny mushroom Candida albicans, as the disease itself is called candidiasis, kandidomikoz, or simply molochnitsy.
Fungus Candida albicans dwells on the skin and mucous everyone, but it is activated only when weakened immunity or death of bacteria, inhibiting its reproduction, including laktobacteria. There molochnitsa signs of inflammation and milky-white bloom on the mucous membrane; resembles a piece of flying cream or milk remnants of food.
Monitoring the balance
Why study vaginal microflora need every pregnant woman? The fact is that an infectious process involving ancestral ways (cervix, vagina, external genitals), is fraught with child infection during childbirth. Microflora vagina mother has a significant influence on the formation mikrobiotsenoz skin ulcers and a newborn. In addition, in some situations a fetus in utero infection. Sometimes modified microflora adversely affected during the postnatal period: recovery may stall the process, it is possible development of infectious complications in women. The test swab after course of therapy will help assess the effectiveness of treatment. Reducing percent lactic bacteria and increase the number of pathogenic microbes - one of the signs of inflammation. The existence of inflammation is also confirmed by the large number of leukocytes - cell-defenders, leading the fight for health. To assess the state of the vaginal microflora doctors are using the notion of "purity". Such degrees - four. The first describes the optimum condition: the microbial "landscape" dominated laktobacteria, acidity normal environment, no signs of inflammation. In the fourth degree laktobacteria missing, many microbial pathogens, expressed signs of inflammation from an acid environment becomes an alkaline. The second and third degree - intermediate between the first and fourth. When choosing a doctor treating will focus on the general condition of a pregnant woman and results of the survey. Of course, he will choose a method of treatment, which in a particular situation will be safer for the fetus.
In situations where there are signs of inflammation, but the cause of his strokes as a result of normal is not clear, doctors may resort to additional research techniques such as PCR diagnosis by smear. The method of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is based on the multiplication of DNA pathogenic microbes to a number where you can determine the type of disease causative agent, even if mazkesoderzhalos very small amount of bacteria. To conduct this analysis needed special equipment, so it can be done only in well-equipped laboratories. Results vaginal swabs attach great importance in hospitalization in maternity ward: if the results are not available or they found a large number of leukocytes or pathogenic microflora, and if the results obtained more than 40 days ago, a pregnant hospitalization in the maternity section II, designed for women with infectious diseases and pathology pregnancy, which is in all maternity. Of course, a pregnant woman has every right to abandon the takeover of the vaginal smear: this analysis, like all others, voluntarily undertaken. But practice shows: all future mothers are well aware that a survey conducted in their interest and determine their health, the outcome of childbirth and newborn health.
