Mucus in the smear: causes, norms

Mucus in a smear based on test results is not always a cause for concern. It is important to understand in which cases this is normal, and when it is worth starting treatment for the pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the cause of such changes, and only then take the correct treatment.

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Causes mucus in the smear

First of all, it is necessary to say that there is a difference in what kind of smear it is - a smear from the vagina, a smear from the cervical canal, a smear from the urethra in men and women. All these types have different characteristics and the amount of mucus in them is normal and in pathology is different.

What does mucus in a smear mean? It should be noted that mucus is formed by secretory cells. These cells are located in the male and female reproductive and urinary systems in different quantities and ratios. But the secretion and release of mucus is still a normal process of the vital activity of these secretory cells. Since the number of cells is different, the amount of mucus in different parts of the body may be different. Therefore, before interpreting the results of tests that indicate the presence of mucus, it is necessary to understand what kind of smear it is.

The norm of mucus in a smear also depends on what kind of smear we are taking into account. But in general, the amount of mucus should not exceed two "pluses".

Mucus in a gynecological smear may also be present under normal conditions. After all, vaginal secretion is very rich in mucus, which is synthesized by secretory cells and performs many functions. Mucus in the vaginal canal forms a secretion that maintains the pH level, retains microflora, and neutralizes harmful pathogens that can get there. Therefore, mucus is an integral part of the vaginal contents. Mucus in a vaginal smear has a constant composition and quantity. Therefore, the standard mucus indicators should not exceed two "pluses".

There should be no mucus in the cervical canal in the smear, because this is not typical for these cells. The cervical canal contains cylindrical epithelium, and there are no secretory cells there. When a doctor takes a smear from the cervical canal, the area of the study is limited only to this area, so mucus should not get into the smear. The appearance of mucus in the cervical canal or an increase in its amount indicates a pathology.

If the amount of mucus is increased and there are doubts about the presence of infectious pathology in the patient, then a study of the material for flora is necessarily carried out together with the smear. This study allows you to identify the bacteria that are in the vagina or urethra, and allows you to judge the presence or absence of the disease.

The reasons for the appearance of mucus in a smear on flora are most often bacterial infections. Frequent infectious diseases - gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia - are frequent causes of damage to the genitourinary organs. Often the cause of the inflammatory process can be bacteria - streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, diphtheroid bacteria and intestinal bacteria. In such cases, there is purulent or mucopurulent urethral secretion. In this case, these bacteria can be detected in the smear itself and immediately talk about a specific disease. Why does the amount of mucus increase with these infectious lesions? When bacteria affect the genitourinary system, our local immune system immediately begins to actively defend itself. At the same time, those leukocytes that are in a single amount in the vaginal secretion begin to actively capture bacteria. In this process, the products of bacterial activity are actively released. This increases the amount of secretion, increases the function of secretory cells and makes them work actively. Therefore, the amount of mucus in the secretion immediately increases, but at the same time the number of leukocytes increases, erythrocytes may appear. Therefore, an increase in mucus in a smear is only one of the few symptoms of an infectious lesion of the system.

In addition to infectious causes, there may be other reasons for increased mucus in a smear. Mucus in a smear from the urethra may be both in men and women, and this is not always an inflammatory etiology of the disease. The cause of the appearance of mucus may be a chemical burn, metabolic disorders in the body that lead to a violation of the structure of urine. Also, in men, the cause may be prostate damage, traumatic urethritis, abacterial urethritis in other infectious diseases. All these diseases have characteristic symptoms and features that must be taken into account before diagnosis.

There are a number of physiological causes of mucus in men. Prostatorrhea is the release of prostatic fluid from the external urinary tract, regardless of orgasm. This can occur when a man strains during stool or urination. It is a clear, slightly sticky, glycerol-like whitish secretion that is sometimes identified as mucus. But this is not the case - it is simply an excess of secretion, expressed by pressure on the prostate and seminal vesicles. It usually does not contain purulent cells unless there is inflammation.

Urethrorrhea is the appearance of normal urethral secretion from the external urinary meatus without coitus. It is simply an excess of secretion from the accessory sex glands in the urethra, such as the Cowper glands. Its appearance in some quantity during sexual arousal and before ejaculation is a completely normal event. It is a completely transparent viscous mucus without pus cells. It is often mistaken for mucus and considered a symptom of gonorrhea, which is not the case.

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Symptoms mucus in the smear

Mucus in a moderate amount may be present in the smear, but it should not exceed two "pluses". So, mucus in the smear ++ can be considered a normal test result. A lot of mucus in the smear indicates pathology and is most often caused by a bacterial pathogen. If the mucus in the smear is +++, then this may be a borderline condition - perhaps hygienic measures were insufficient, or the smear was taken in the postmenstrual period. Therefore, if the analysis shows only such a small increase in mucus, and all other indicators are normal, then do not panic right away, you must first retake the test again.

Mucus in a smear in women can be increased normally in one more case - pregnancy. Mucus in a smear during pregnancy is detected due to the fact that during this period, under the influence of hormones, all secretory cells actively function. In pregnant women, the amount of mucus can increase, which is a normal reaction to a hormonal surge.

What symptoms, besides mucus in the smear, can indicate a pathology? Everything depends on the pathology that is developing. The first signs of an infectious lesion are the appearance of unpleasant sensations, changes in the nature, smell and amount of discharge. In this case, the woman immediately consults a doctor, talks about the symptoms, and with further examination it is possible to identify the pathogen.

If the first study is conducted and an increase in the amount of mucus is detected, then other indicators should be taken into account. It is necessary to evaluate the number of leukocytes, epithelium and the presence of bacteria. Leukocytes in large quantities and mucus in the smear indicate a pronounced inflammatory condition. The amount of epithelium may also be increased, which indicates active inflammation and cell destruction.

A bacteriological smear will allow us to determine the type of pathogen, which is important for targeted treatment.

The nature of the mucus is also important in the study, as it can give us a hint as to the possible cause of its appearance. Homogeneous mucus in the smear is a normal variant if its quantity is not increased. If the mucus is increased, but its characteristics are not changed and it remains homogeneous, then it is possible that there is a benign non-inflammatory process. For example, there may be bacterial vaginosis or a candidal process caused by a violation of the microflora ratio. In such cases, the amount of mucus simply increases as a compensatory reaction to the process. This happens before ovulation, to ensure the normal passage of the sperm.

Homofibrous mucus in the smear appears a few days after ovulation, when fertilization has not occurred. With each passing day, the amount of estrogen decreases and the amount of mucus also decreases, and it becomes viscous. Mucus strands in the smear can be found immediately after menstruation, which is normal.

If the mucus changes its character, then this is a characteristic sign of a certain infection. Foamy mucus is a characteristic sign of gonorrhea.

It is also necessary to distinguish between two concepts, which is more of a medical issue - mucus v in a smear is vaginal mucus. It can be normal for every woman and is part of the vaginal secretion, if it is in moderate quantities.

Mucus in a smear from the urethra is precisely urethral mucus, which should not be detected in large quantities and can be present in urethritis or prostatitis in men.

Mucus in a smear in men is a symptom of often unclear origin; it worries the patient and represents a clinical problem. Inflammatory conditions of the lower urinary tract are sometimes associated with this complaint, which is accompanied by abdominal pain. The complaint is so common that the man immediately understands that he needs to see a doctor. It should be understood that not all cases that are accompanied by this complaint are necessarily victims of gonorrhea, which is easy to assume. On the contrary, most of them often mean something else, such as very acidic or alkaline urine, cystitis, impotence, impotence, sterility.

Various chemicals are often used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or to prevent conception. If they are too strong, they leave signs of damage on the penis and can become a risk factor for the development of chemical urethritis in men or chemical vaginitis in women. Urethritis is accompanied by sharp pain in the urethra, local discomfort, redness, swelling and dysuria. The urine is watery and cloudy, and contains a few pus cells and a relatively large number of epithelial cells and mucus, which can sometimes be seen with the naked eye.

Urethral pain may occur with urethral trauma from the passage of a foreign body into the urethra. Careless handling of urethral instruments, a urethroscope or cystoscope can damage the mucous membrane of the urethra and cause symptoms that will be secondarily accompanied by infection. In this case, not only mucus appears in the smear, but also leukocytes and erythrocytes.

Some functional disorders such as phosphaturia and oxaluria are sometimes associated with urethritis and the appearance of mucus in the smear. Phosphates are small stones that are common in alkaline urine. In this case, the urine becomes more alkaline and this causes irritation of the urethra. This leads to secondary urethritis, cystitis and vaginitis. The pathology can be found in both women and men. This pathology is suspected when asymptomatic sedimentation in the urine is noticed, which can be easily dissolved by adding acetic acid to the urine. In severe cases, crystals can cause pain.

Oxalates can also cause mucus in the smear. They usually appear after eating certain foods rich in oxalates, such as spinach, rhubarb, tomatoes, beets, blackcurrants, berries, beans, tea, coffee and cocoa. Calcium oxalates cause a mucous sediment in the urine. The urine is acidic in reaction. An acid urine test is used to diagnose this condition. The crystals are soluble in strong hydrochloric acid and recrystallize when ammonia is added, but are insoluble in acetic acid. Microscopically, they look like transparent octahedral crystals or small squares crossed by two intersecting diagonals. They have no pathological significance. Their presence in fresh urine, without other symptoms, is not so important.

Cystitis is one of the common causes of mucus in the urethral smear. In women, the pathology is more common. In this case, pain appears as the first symptom, which is often associated with bladder symptoms such as frequency, imperative desires, dysuria and cloudy or even blood-stained urine. Cystitis can be caused by defects in bladder emptying either due to spinal cord nerve damage, dorsalis tablets, or obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate, urethral stricture or bladder stone.

The symptoms of cystitis are caused by irritation of the bladder and are characterized by frequency, urgency, and intense dysuria. There is a constant desire to urinate (stranguria) and a constant fear of going because of the pain felt during this. The urine is alkaline, contains pus and mucus, and may contain red blood cells or even blood threads. A bladder stone causes an exacerbation of symptoms with physical exertion and causes pain and hematuria at the end.

Abacterial pyuria is a cystitis that is often associated with urethritis in which bacteria have been carefully excluded as a cause. It is recognized that a primary focus of infection may follow changes in other organs at a distance from the original focus of infection. The focus of infection does not require special attention to produce remote effects. The urogenital tract may suffer from toxins or bacteria dispersed from a focus located anywhere in the body. When the focus of infection is very active, the connection between the primary infection and its accessory expression is easily recognized, and the two together form a symptom complex. But in chronic infections the connection between the focal infection and the symptoms dependent on it is often difficult to determine. Therefore, focal infection sometimes seems to be associated with the problem of the appearance of mucus in the smear.

Another common disease that can cause changes in the tests, in particular an increase in mucus and leukocytes without other symptoms, is Reiter's disease. Reiter's disease is a symptomatic triad consisting of polyarthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis. The etiology and pathology are still unknown. A virus is usually accepted as the cause. The first sign is non-gonococcal urethritis, which does not respond to treatment. At the same time or soon after, conjunctivitis of both eyes develops. After a few days or weeks, the joints are involved. There are varying degrees of severity of this condition. Fever, fleeting and recurrent joint pain, sterile urethral discharge, may only be increased mucus - all these are constant signs of the disease.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of untreated pathology, which causes changes in tests in the form of mucus and leukocytes, can be very serious. Untreated infectious pathology in women can subsequently cause infertility. Complications can also arise if treatment is not started in a timely manner. When it comes to mucus from a urethral smear, urethritis is a very serious infection in men and women. It can quickly lead to complications in the form of cystitis and pyelonephritis, and in men to secondary urethral stricture.

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Treatment mucus in the smear

If an increased amount of mucus is detected in the smear, a correct diagnosis must be made before specific treatment is started. This symptom should not be immediately regarded as gonorrhea and infection. It is not necessary to wait for the results of laborious laboratory tests, but I would like to emphasize the importance of a reasonable assessment of the site of infection, the type of organism, the use of safe non-toxic drugs for several days to test the therapeutic response and to consult a specialist.

So, if the analysis shows an increased amount of mucus and leukocytes, then it is possible that we are talking about an infectious lesion. In this case, an antibiotic should be an integral part of the treatment. The choice of antibiotic should correspond to the suspected infection, so it is necessary to select an antibiotic from less aggressive to more effective.

1. Amoxiclav is a first-line antibacterial agent that can be used as a first-choice drug. It can be used to treat nonspecific cystitis, urethritis, and colpitis. The dosage of the drug for adults is 500 milligrams three times a day. The method of administration is oral, but with a pronounced inflammatory process, parenteral use of this group of antibiotics is possible. Treatment should not last less than five days. Side effects of this drug can be allergic reactions, dyspepsia.
2. Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against genitourinary infections. It can be used in women and men for non-specific infections of various localizations. The dosage of the drug is 500 milligrams twice a day. This group of drugs can cause side effects such as dizziness, abdominal pain, and blood disorders.
3. Metronidazole is an antibacterial agent used to treat specific infections of the genitourinary system in combination with another antibiotic. The drug acts on anaerobic forms of the pathogen and is highly effective in combination treatment. The dosage of the drug is 250 milligrams twice a day, the method of administration is oral. It is more effective to use vaginal suppositories together with tablet treatment. In this case, you can add one 500-milligram suppository intravaginally to two metronidazole tablets. Side effects may include nausea, headache, and allergic rash.
4. Clotrimazole is a drug that has antifungal activity, so it is used to treat any type of fungal vaginal pathology. The method of using the drug can be in the form of a vaginal tablet. Dosage - one vaginal tablet 100 milligrams twice a day. There is also a tablet form of the drug, which can be used orally for significant local reactions. A three-day course of treatment is the time during which the fungal infection can be eliminated. There are also vaginal tablets of 10 pieces, in which case, if a three-day course is ineffective, a five-day course can be used. Side effects can be in the form of allergic reactions, effects on the liver and loss of appetite.

Vitamins can be used in complex therapy for the treatment of any infection. You can use any multivitamin products that provide the body with the daily requirement for essential vitamins.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods of treatment can be used in all cases in combination with medicinal methods. If we are talking about an infection, then we can use different antiseptic baths, and if we are talking about other reasons for the appearance of mucus in smears, then antiseptic measures will definitely not hurt.

1. You can use baths for washing based on tea tree oil. This oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. To prepare the solution, take ten drops of oil and dissolve them in warm boiled water. You can wash with this solution twice a day.
2. Bearberry is a folk remedy for the treatment of genitourinary pathologies. The herb contains tannins, which have astringent effects, helping to compress and tighten the mucous membranes in the body. In turn, this helps reduce inflammation and fight infection. To prepare the infusion, take one bag of the herb and infuse it in a glass of water. Take it instead of tea twice a day, but not more than five days.
3. Garlic extract can be an effective weapon against multiple drug-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria associated with urinary tract infections. To prepare the medicine, take five young cloves of garlic, grate it and dilute it in a liter of water. Wash yourself with this water once a night, then rinse with plain water.

Herbal treatment is also widely used. Here are some recipes using herbs.

1. Blueberry leaf extract contains antifungal and antibacterial substances and is very effective in treating pathologies caused by bacteria. To prepare an infusion, take 40 grams of blueberry leaves and boil them in a cup of water. Let it brew for 30 minutes and use this solution for a bath after it has cooled down twice a day.
2. Succession is an antiseptic herb that has antimicrobial and soothing properties. To prepare the infusion, take 1 tablespoon of succession or 1 tea bag. Boil 1 glass of water and add succession, let it boil for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it brew for an hour. When the solution cools, you can use it for hygiene procedures.
3. Oak bark has antiseptic properties. Using this remedy will reduce discomfort and fight infection. To prepare the medicine, take three to four dried barks and add them to a pot with three cups of water. Stir the infusion and let it cool. Use as a bath 2 times a day.

Homeopathic remedies are very effective in treating many urogenital infections. Even when treating specific infections, the use of homeopathy relieves local symptoms. In addition, the use of homeopathy when detecting mucus in smears allows you to normalize the hormonal background, which improves the effect of other remedies.

1. Witch hazel is one of the effective homeopathic remedies for the treatment of pathologies accompanied by mucous discharge, as well as with a fungal concomitant infection. Witch hazel is a natural remedy that reduces the function of secretory cells and has antibacterial properties, which prevents secondary infection. Method of application - in granules, two granules every four hours in the acute period. Then you can reduce the dose to one granule four times a day. Side effects are very rare.
2. Argentum nitricum is a homeopathic remedy for the treatment of recurring pathologies that are accompanied by constant mucus discharge. The drug is also especially effective if the constant detection of mucus in smears is accompanied by severe pain. The drug is dosed in three granules, which should be taken twice a day, and when the pain subsides, you can switch to a single dose of three granules in the morning.
3. Berberis is the best homeopathic remedy that is effective in mucus and changes in urine color. If the appearance of mucus is caused by phosphaturia or oxaluria, then using this homeopathic remedy can be the best treatment method. Along with these features, a woman or man can feel back pain. The method of using the medicine in granules is one granule five times a day between meals. Side effects may be at the first use in the form of changes in urine color, but after a day of using the drug, these phenomena should disappear.

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Prevention

Prevention of any infections is a healthy lifestyle and avoiding contacts on the side. If mucus in smears occurs due to recurring cystitis, then hypothermia should be avoided.

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Forecast

The prognosis may be favorable if the cause is identified and treatment is started in a timely manner.

Mucus in a smear may be a normal indicator if its amount does not exceed the norm. An increase in its amount often occurs against the background of an infection, but there may also be other physiological reasons. Regardless of whether mucus is detected in a woman or a man, it is necessary to exclude an infectious factor, and then carry out treatment.

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