Male smear for infection. How do they take and decipher a smear for flora in men? How to take a smear from men for infection

Urethritis is a disease common among both sexes. What does a doctor expect to find out when prescribing a urethral culture in men? First of all, the nature of the disease - the pathogen that caused the inflammation; process stage; identify drugs that can effectively resist infection.

Inflammation of the urinary tract can be caused by several types of infectious agents:

The choice of drug and treatment tactics depend on the pathogen, and it is extremely difficult to determine the culprit of inflammation only by symptoms. Bacterial seeding is prescribed in the following cases:

• with unusual discharge from the urethra;
• when itching, burning, or painful sensations occur when urinating;
• when a rash is detected on the head of the penis, hyperemia, swelling;
• with an established inflammatory process;
• for diagnostic purposes if a couple has problems conceiving and bearing a child.

How to prepare? How to get tested?

Taking scrapings from the urethra requires some preparation. You must abstain from sexual intercourse for 48 hours. Do not empty your bladder for two hours before donation. Immediately before the procedure, hygiene measures are carried out using neutral care products. Some medications can distort the test result, so you should stop taking medications 3 weeks before submitting the material. taken 5–7 days after the start of menstrual bleeding.

Technically, the procedure is painless, but not comfortable. Sterile equipment is used during the study. The removed microflora is placed in a nutrient medium, where after 4–6 days it is determined microscopically. Discomfort is manifested by burning and pain after manipulation during urination. Such consequences are a normal reaction of the body to external invasion, but they should not be strong and long-lasting.

Preparing to take a smear

In order for the smear readings to be taken correctly, it is necessary to follow all the doctor’s recommendations:

• a smear is taken before the first portion of urine or after, 2 hours later;
• You cannot wash yourself before taking the test;
• before the analysis, you cannot have sexual activity for about 3-4 days;
• after taking antibiotics, a smear is taken only a week later;

Before taking the test, you must abstain from drinking alcohol for at least 5 days.

Norm and pathological deviations

What can be found in urethral smears in men? In a healthy man, the test result should meet the following parameters.

Tank seeding includes not only the ability to identify the pathogen. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing is carried out jointly, which makes it possible to select the most effective therapy. The analysis allows you to quickly detect the pathogen and get rid of it forever.

Many patients do not know why they take a urethral smear. The doctor prescribes a smear test for infections in men, which shows the presence of obvious and hidden diseases.

The manipulation is carried out if damage by microorganisms is suspected and during a general medical examination.

After collecting the biomaterial, it is examined under a microscope, and thus the infections that affect the patient are diagnosed.

There are 2 types of smear analysis in men: general - culture for flora, as well as testing for hidden infections.

To conduct a general analysis (culture of flora) in men, a smear is applied to glass, stained and examined. The procedure detects the presence of bacteria without determining the type of infection.

To test for latent sexually transmitted infections, the selected material is placed in a sterile environment. The method identifies pathogens at the DNA level and is called polymerase chain reaction. PRC samples from the male urethra detect asymptomatic infections and allow one to determine the type of infection.

Smear indicators and their interpretation

With the help of a smear you can make the correct diagnosis!

The results of the smear test may contain the following information:

• . A normal indicator is considered to be an amount not exceeding 5 units in the field of view. If the leukocyte level exceeds the permissible value, this indicates an infectious disease (urethritis, prostatitis)
• . The presence of red blood cells up to 3 units per field of view is normal. Red blood cells may be in the smear as a result of trauma to the urethra during the procedure. If their concentration in the smear is greatly increased, then this indicates an inflammatory or tumor process.
• . Their concentration should not exceed 10 units. There may be more epithelial cells if there is an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.
• . The concentration of such cells above normal is a symptom of allergic inflammation.
• Slime. A moderate amount of mucus is normal, but excessive mucus indicates an inflammatory process. Large amounts of mucus in combination with white blood cells indicate an acute infection.
• . A small content of cocci in the smear is normal. This applies to staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci. They belong to opportunistic microflora and, under the influence of certain factors, contribute to the development of diseases.

If gonococci are present in the smear, then this is a clear sign of the development of gonorrhea. Also, the smear should be free of Trichomonas. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in a scraping in a single quantity may indicate the beginning or completion of the inflammatory process, and a large number of them may indicate the acute course of the disease.

The following infectious diseases can be detected in a man’s smear:

• Chlamydia
• Candidiasis
• Trichomoniasis
• Leptothrixosis

Diagnosis of any pathology requires immediate treatment. Any disease can be cured if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

Consequences and treatment of a “bad” smear

There are cases when pathologies of the genitourinary system become the cause. In advanced cases, when a man did not follow all the doctor’s treatment instructions or did not treat the disease at all, this negatively affects the quality of sperm. There will be immobile sperm in the seminal fluid, and in this case it will be impossible to get pregnant.

In addition, a man must remember that many diseases of the genitourinary system can be asymptomatic. Many men may not even realize that they are transmitting the infection to their partners.

If you ignore the results of a “bad” smear and do not take measures to eliminate the pathology, this can lead to serious consequences.

Pathogenic microorganisms contribute to the rapid development of the inflammatory and infectious process, which can become chronic. It is very difficult to cure pathology in this form.

If pathogenic microorganisms are detected and pathology is identified, the urologist will prescribe the necessary treatment. When a latent infection is diagnosed, treatment will be carried out by a venereologist.

Treatment will be prescribed depending on the type of microorganisms identified:

• In the presence of coccobacillary flora, antibiotics and drugs that eliminate the symptoms of inflammation are prescribed: Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Tinidazole, etc.
• If gonococci are detected in a smear, antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin, Cefoxime, Ofloxacin are used. Gonorrhea usually occurs together with chlamydia. Maintenance treatment should also be provided to maintain the effects of antigonococcal drugs and eliminate chlamydia. For this purpose, Azithromycin, Apo-Doxy, etc. are used.
• If the infection is chronic, then drugs are used to enhance immunity.
• If detected, antibacterial therapy is carried out using macrolides, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines.

In a particular case, the doctor selects treatment individually, taking into account the results of the smear. It should be remembered that it is impossible to interrupt the course of antibiotic treatment, since not all bacteria can die. As a result, the inflammatory process will become chronic.

During treatment, intimate life should be prohibited. After the full course of treatment, tests are repeated. This will ensure that the treatment was successful.

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How to take a smear from men, they are interested in if they are going to undergo this procedure soon.

Since the manipulation is performed in a rather delicate area, it is not surprising that many men are afraid of it. In some cases, they even tend to refuse the examination, which in no case should be done.

The procedure for taking a smear involves scraping off a small amount of tissue for further study in a laboratory. This form of research is characterized by simplicity and speed of implementation. With its help, you can determine the presence of diseases of different nature.

A smear in urology is prescribed to be performed to determine the composition and quality of the microflora of the urinary canal. To make a diagnosis, not only the patient’s stories about the symptoms that bother him are necessary, but also laboratory tests, which in most cases can be limited to a single smear.

The length of the urethra in men is approximately 20 cm, the diameter is 8 mm. Through it, urine or seminal fluid is excreted. The urinary canal has a special microflora, which is characterized by the presence of staphylococci.

But microorganisms are located at the very beginning of the urethra - approximately 5 cm from its edge, and beyond that the canal is completely sterile. Therefore, in order to take a smear from the urethra, you will need to insert a cotton swab about 4 cm inside.

Men too rarely seek medical help from urologists - much less often than necessary. Typically, a doctor is visited in cases where the body has overcome any infections, the symptoms of the disease intensify and the discomfort becomes unbearable. Well-known remedies do not help in such situations.

In a particularly advanced state, the disease not only progresses, but also causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient.

In such a situation, the consequences can be extremely unfavorable, so it is necessary to undergo the necessary studies as quickly as possible, on the basis of which the doctor can draw conclusions and draw up a treatment plan.

A urethral smear may be prescribed in the following cases:

• if foul-smelling discharge from the canal is noted;
• if there is a possibility of infection in the body;
• for preventive purposes;
• when identifying an inflammatory process that occurs directly in the urinary system;
• when you feel discomfort in the urethral area.

A smear often acts as a concomitant analysis. It is often prescribed if there are suspected infections due to exposure to bacteria.

Based on the results of the analyzes obtained, it will be possible to discuss the composition of the microflora, whether its quality meets the norm, and also judge other, no less important characteristics. All this helps to draw conclusions on the basis of which treatment will be prescribed. But first it is necessary to examine the collected material under a microscope.

When doing research, you can clarify:

• flora composition;
• presence of fungi;
• leukocyte content;
• are there any harmful bacteria and microorganisms;
• the presence of bacteria that can develop the formation and accumulation of pus;
• presence of red blood cells.

Indications for the study

For various reasons, men rarely turn to a urologist. This usually happens when the pain can no longer be tolerated. Indications for taking a smear from the urethra in men are:

• pain during and after urination;
• discharge from the genitals (pus, mucus, serous effusion);
• redness and swelling of the genitals;
• frequent urination;
• the appearance of a rash;
• inflammatory diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems of various origins;
• infertility;
• partner infection;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• general medical examination;
• suspicion of infection.

If the taken material is applied to a glass slide and examined under a microscope, this method is called native. In some cases, the smear is stained with Gram or methylene blue. With the help of color examination, gonococci, trichomonas, epithelial cells, and leukocytes are better determined.

To identify STIs such as genital herpes or mycoplasmosis, the scraping is placed in a test tube, and then PCR is performed in the laboratory.

In this case, not only the type of pathogens is determined, but also their quantity. During a microscopic examination of a smear from the urethra in men, a laboratory assistant counts the number of pathogenic microorganisms and records their number on a form.

How is the results of a smear for flora assessed in men?

The smear material may contain the following components:

• Leukocytes
  - in a smear in men in plural numbers, they are a sign of inflammation and speak of urethritis or prostatitis. Normally, a smear should not contain more than 5 leukocytes in the field of view.
• Epithelium
  is the cells that line the urethra. Normally, 5-10 cells are allowed per field of view. A larger number of them indicates inflammation.
• Mucus
  - occurs in large quantities during inflammatory processes.
• Cocci
  - a small number of them are normal, since they are part of the normal microflora of the mucous membrane. Many cocci in the field of view are a sign of urethritis.
• Gonococci, trichomonas, ureaplasma, chlamydia and other bacteria, protozoa
  are normally absent from the smear. If they are found, a diagnosis of the corresponding sexually transmitted disease is made.

In some cases (for example, with chronic prostatitis), before taking a smear for flora, a prostate massage is performed through the rectum.

Expert:

Dmitry Grishin, urologist
Ekaterina Khripunova
To identify pathogenic microorganisms in the urethra, a sample is taken. The results of a microscopic examination will tell about the inflammatory process or the presence of infections. This procedure is mandatory at every visit to the urologist.

A urogenital smear is one of the informative diagnostic methods, thanks to which it is possible to identify possible inflammatory processes and disorders of the genitourinary system.

Men usually visit a urologist only when the symptoms that appear cannot be tolerated. Such symptoms may be: pain, itching, burning, frequent urge to urinate, rash on the genitals, the presence of pus or blood in the urine.

A scraping or smear from the urethra is prescribed if there are:

• Infectious diseases
• Inflammatory process in the urinary system
• Discharge
• Unpleasant smell
• Irritation
• Pain during sexual intercourse

If a man and woman are planning to become parents, then both should undergo the examination. If an infection is detected, you need to undergo treatment, and only then proceed to conceiving a child. In addition, if a married couple cannot become pregnant for some time, then a comprehensive examination also includes taking a smear. Such infections can cause difficulty conceiving.

A smear on the flora in men allows us to identify pathogenic microorganisms (fungi, viruses, bacteria) and the development of the inflammatory process. After the study, you can diagnose: cystitis, prostatitis, tumors,.

Is preparation necessary?

A man, before taking a smear, must prepare for the procedure. It is advisable to refrain from urinating for 2 hours before taking a smear. On the eve of the procedure, the man needs to wash the anal area, male organ and perineum. Should be washed in warm water and soap. There is no need to carry out hygiene procedures before taking a smear.

This rule does not apply if a man has heavy discharge. Then the toilet of the genitals should be done before visiting the doctor, but without using detergents for intimate hygiene.

You should abstain from sexual intercourse 2 days before the study.

In addition, you need to stop taking medications 2 weeks before the expected date of testing. If you need to take the drug constantly, you should consult your doctor.

If the doctor ordered a test for hidden infections, then the preparation is slightly different. Fatty foods, salty and spicy foods should be excluded from the diet the day before the test. You should also avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Such food provokes an exacerbation. It is prohibited to take a hot bath or relax in a bathhouse or sauna.

The result of the smear will be reliable if the man followed all the preparation rules. If any of the requirements are not met, then there is a high probability of obtaining unreliable results.

More information about the smear can be found in the video:

Does it hurt to take a smear?

Scraping from the urethra in men is an unpleasant procedure, after which pain and discomfort may occur. After the procedure, burning and itching may occur. This is normal and the symptoms will go away after some time.

If after taking a smear a man’s pain symptoms increase, then you need to notify your doctor. This may indicate that there is an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system and it has worsened after the procedure. Pain may occur if the specialist has insufficient skills.

The smear collection procedure is quick and simple. The doctor takes the scraping with a sterile instrument. A special probe is inserted 2-3 cm deep and lightly pressed against the canal wall. Next, the doctor makes several rotational movements and then removes it. In some cases, prostate massage may be necessary. For this purpose, a tight bougie is inserted into the entire length of the urethra. As a result of this manipulation, the sensitivity of the analysis increases, which makes it possible to identify hidden infections.

The resulting biomaterial is placed in a test tube for further research. Part of the sample is sent to, and the other part is applied to a glass slide, dried and then stained. Next, the particles are examined under a microscope.

The procedure can be performed using a bacteriological loop or a Volkmann spoon.

Liquid material is also examined under a microscope to identify moving particles and protozoan microorganisms. This analysis is often used to diagnose trichomoniasis, since trichomonas can move, unlike other pathogenic microorganisms. If a smear is performed, then a genital massage is first performed. This is necessary to increase the sensitivity of the analysis.

A urogenital smear is not taken in case of high temperature or acute inflammatory process in the body not related to the genitourinary system. A smear is not taken if there is severe pathology of the urethra: tumor, bleeding, trauma to the penis or its curvature.

Preparing for a urethral smear in a man

The accuracy of the result depends on preliminary preparation. A week before taking a scraping, you should stop taking medications. If it is not possible to do this, the study is postponed.

If the doctor considers it appropriate, the patient is prescribed a provocative diet or lifestyle changes. He is recommended to visit the bathhouse, sauna, drink alcohol, spicy and smoked foods.

This behavior provokes the progression of the disease, and the rapid development of pathogenic microflora occurs. To identify hidden sexually transmitted infections, the doctor also prescribes:

• treatment of the ureter with a silver solution;
• introduction into the bougie canal - a special irritant of the urethral walls;
• intramuscular injections of gonovaccine or a drug that has a pyrogenic effect (the latter can be administered in the form of suppositories).

On the day of analysis

Direct preparation for taking a smear from a man begins 2 days before the procedure. To ensure the accuracy of the result, a day before sampling, avoid alcoholic beverages. To prepare for a smear on the flora in men, follow a number of rules:

1. Before collecting the material, take a shower.
2. Two days before the procedure you need to abstain from sexual intercourse.
3. On the day of the test, you should not urinate 2–3 hours before visiting the doctor.

During urination, microflora is washed away. If a smear is taken immediately after visiting the toilet, the collection of biological material will not include microorganisms that cause pathologies.

But after a few hours they again accumulate in the urethral area. Thus, the study will not identify pathogenic microorganisms, but they will continue to develop and poison the body.

In men with heavy discharge, biomaterial is collected 1 hour after urination.

The most accurate analysis result is obtained by taking a sample in the morning before urinating.

Methods for diagnosing the presence of mobiluncus in women

Mobiluncus in a smear in women is detected by laboratory testing of biological material. The table below presents diagnostic methods for identifying infectious microorganisms of this type.

mobiluncus under a microscope
Depending on the general condition of the woman, the presence of acute or chronic symptoms, the attending gynecologist independently decides what types of tests are appropriate to use in a particular clinical case.

How to prepare?

The basic rule for preparing for an analysis for the presence of mobiluncus is a complete refusal to take antibacterial drugs, which should occur no later than 1 month in advance. before the date of examination.

The following requirements must also be met:

• on the day of collecting biological material, do not douche the vagina;
• the last sexual intercourse should take place no later than 48 hours;
• smear collection is carried out 2 hours before urination or after urine outflow;
• Ultrasound using the intravaginal method, as well as colposcopy, should be performed no later than 24 hours before the scheduled date for collecting biological material.

Otherwise, you can get false and unreliable laboratory test results that will not reflect an objective picture of the level of purity of the microflora of the female genitourinary system.

How is biomaterial collected?

The collection of biological material from the walls of the cervical canal, urethra and vagina occurs in compliance with the following algorithm of actions:

1. The woman goes into the sterile conditions of the manipulation room, and then sits down in the gynecological chair.
2. The medical worker collecting biological material uses disposable cotton swabs to alternately select mucous contents from the walls of the vagina, urethra and cervical canal.

3. Mucus samples are packaged in individual sterile containers.
4. The biological material is immediately transferred to the laboratory for microbiological testing.

Based on the diagnostic results, a medical report is drawn up, which displays the quantitative composition of the mobiluncus, as well as representatives of other infectious microorganisms.

During the examination, a modern PCR analysis method is used to isolate DNA fragments of pathogenic bacteria. The collection of biological material from the oral cavity is carried out according to a similar principle, but in this case, the mucous contents are taken from the inner surface of the cheeks.

How long should I wait for answers?

Microbiological examination of a smear with mucous contents takes more than 1 day. After 24 hours, the patient already knows the diagnostic results.

Analysis transcript

The analysis is deciphered by an infectious disease specialist or gynecologist who initially examined the patient and also prescribed a microbiological examination of the mucous contents of the genitourinary system.

In a woman with a healthy genitourinary system, the concentration of mobiluncus should not exceed 5% of the total amount of opportunistic microflora contained in the biological material.

Higher values ​​are a deviation from the norm. Mobiluncus, represented in an amount of 50-70% of the total number of opportunistic microorganisms, indicates the presence of bacterial vaginosis.

Who takes a smear from men and how?

The collection of biomaterial is quick and performed with sterile instruments. The procedure is performed by a doctor. Before taking a scraping, toilet of the genital organs is necessary. After cleaning with soap and water, the genitals are treated with a sterile saline solution and dried with a napkin. This removes remnants of microflora from the surface of the skin and prevents foreign bacteria from entering the smear.

To properly take a smear from men, a special probe or brush is used. In rare cases, a dactron or cotton swab is used. A sterile instrument is inserted into the urethra a few centimeters.

The depth of penetration should not exceed 3 - 5 cm. At a distance greater than this, microflora is not contained, and the walls of the urethra are sterile. Rotate the instrument with careful and confident movements. To collect the analysis, make 2–3 turns, then remove the probe (brush) and transfer the contents onto a glass slide.

The smear is dried and stained with dye. Various pathogens take on their inherent color under its influence. The sample is then examined under a light or electron microscope.

If there is a suspicion of Trichomonas, the test is carried out immediately after taking a smear. This identifies mobile pathogens of trichomoniasis.

The biomaterial taken to determine latent infections is placed in a test tube and a sterile container with a special medium for transportation. The container is hermetically sealed and sent to the laboratory for research.

If material is collected for hidden infections, massage may be performed. It increases the information content of the study.

Procedure for collecting biomaterial

Only an experienced and qualified specialist can take a smear on the flora. Male - urologist, female - gynecologist. Neither the medical staff nor the laboratory assistants have anything to do with this. It is best to get tested in a public clinic, since in private clinics, the material is often taken not according to the rules.

The procedure for taking a smear is different for men and women. A probe or applicator is inserted into the man's penis to a depth of about 3 cm to collect material. It is pulled out with rotational movements, thus collecting secretions.

In women, biomaterial is collected from the urethra in two ways.

1. In a gynecological chair using an applicator. It is inserted into the urethra to a depth of 2-4 cm and the epithelial cells are carefully removed with twisting movements.
2. Using your finger. It is inserted into the vagina and pressed on the back wall of the urethra. The released mucus is collected on glass.

There should be no pain during the procedure. Pain may be present with inflammation in the genitals of both.

You should expect some discomfort after the procedure. The most common complaints are:

• it hurts when trying to write;
• increase in the volume of secretions;
• the appearance of a few drops of blood from the genital organ when going to the toilet for the first time.

All these phenomena are temporary and go away on their own after 2-3 days. No special treatment is required.

If the pain after the procedure does not go away during this time, and purulent discharge is added to the unpleasant sensations, you should consult a doctor again. It is possible that an infection was introduced during the test.

How painful is the procedure?

The pain when taking a scraping from the urethra in men depends on the degree of damage to the genitals and the qualifications of the doctor. When the condition is neglected, the genitals become severely irritated, swelling appears, and any touch causes pain.

If a sample is taken for a medical examination, the procedure is painless. Patients who have undergone manipulation characterize it as unpleasant, but tolerable.

After taking a smear, painful sensations may occur during urination. Patients define them differently: burning, discomfort, severe pain. This is explained by the fact that during the collection of a smear, irritation appears in the urethra.

During the passage of urine, it lands on the damaged surface, causing pain. Some men prefer to drink less fluid to reduce irritation to the injured urethra. This is the wrong decision. If you urinate less often, the concentration of urine increases, and the intensity of the impact on microtrauma becomes greater.

To reduce unpleasant symptoms, after taking material from the urethra, drink decoctions of chamomile and calendula in large quantities. If the sensations are strong, take a warm bath and relieve pain with painkillers.

After the manipulation, you must give up alcohol, smoked foods, and spicy foods. Then urine will not irritate the injured mucous membrane, and the recovery process will be smoother and faster.

If after taking the biomaterial the pain does not subside and discharge is added to it, immediately contact a urologist.

Question: What should I do if after taking a smear from the genital organs in men, pain appears?

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What to do if a man experiences pain after taking a smear from the genital organs?

Unfortunately, after taking a smear from the genital organs, a man may experience pain, discomfort and a burning sensation in the penis. Moreover, these sensations, as a rule, arise acutely and abruptly during urination, gradually (within half an hour) subside after going to the toilet, and at other times they may not bother the man at all. Pain, pain and burning when urinating after taking a smear can persist for 1 to 3 days, after which it goes away on its own and does not require any special treatment.

Pain, pain and burning after taking a smear in men occurs due to the instruments touching the inflamed mucous membranes of the urethra. To visualize this situation, remember how much an inflamed wound, cut or boil on the skin hurts. And if you touch this wound, cut or boil, they will begin to hurt even more, since a mechanical effect will be added to the chemical mediators of pain. On the mucous membranes, any mechanical touch to the inflamed areas provokes microcracks, since the tissues are rigid, swollen, highly stretched and, therefore, easily damaged. That is, after taking a smear from the urethra, the already inflamed mucous membrane in a small area is also covered with microcracks, which do not pose a danger in terms of the spread of infection, but increase pain. In an inflamed urethra, the pain after taking a smear is significantly increased by the fact that urine, which has strong irritating properties, passes through it. However, this state of hypersensitivity of the inflamed urethral mucosa will last no longer than three days, during which urination can be very painful.

To minimize pain after taking a smear and minimize the recovery time for painless urination, a man must adhere to the following rules:

• You should definitely urinate within 20 minutes after taking a smear, as this will speed up the restoration of painless urination and prevent a short-term increase in inflammation in the injured urethra. This first urination after taking a smear may be painful, but you must endure and release all the urine;
• For 2–3 days after taking a smear, it is recommended to abstain from any sexual intercourse and sexual arousal in general, since an erection will stretch the inflamed urethra, which will increase pain and discomfort;
• Eliminate from your daily diet any hot, salty, spicy, fried, fatty foods and alcoholic drinks, which can also cause increased pain when urinating, having a general irritating effect;
• Wear exclusively soft, loose clothing made from natural fabrics, which ensures the free position of the genitals and prevents them from rubbing, squeezing, pinching, etc.

In addition, in order to minimize pain when urinating, it is recommended to go to the toilet, observing the following simple rules:

• Release a few drops of urine, which will cause pain and burning in the urethra;
• Wait a few seconds until the burning stops;
• Release all urine.

This order of urination allows you to minimize the burning sensation that occurs when a stream of urine passes through the urethra.

However, all unpleasant sensations (pain, burning, discomfort when urinating) after taking a smear are normal and go away on their own within 1 to 3 days, without requiring any special treatment. If discomfort and pain creates severe mental stress, psychotizes a man and provokes stress, then to reduce pain it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Diclofenac, etc.

Interpretation of results: norm and deviations

Only a doctor can correctly evaluate the information received and make a diagnosis. Self-treatment leads to a worsening of the situation and causes irreversible processes.

After a visual examination, the doctor gives a direction to take a smear from the urethra. During the study, the main pathogens are identified:

• gonococci;
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasma;
• ureaplasma;
• Trichomonas;
• herpes simplex virus;
• cytomegalovirus.

If necessary, the doctor adds or limits the list of infections.

Information content of the study

If the test results are not particularly reassuring, the patient is prescribed treatment. But even with good indicators, the complete absence of pathogenic microorganisms is not guaranteed. This is explained by the fact that not all types of microorganisms can be identified using a smear. The latter makes it possible to detect candida, gardenerella, trichomonas, gonococci, and sometimes chlamydia may be noted.

Biomaterial studies are carried out using a microscope. There remains a possibility that some microorganisms may go undetected.

We can conclude that a smear is one of the least informative, but also the simplest examinations of the urethra, which will help determine the presence and quantity of some pathogens. It will not require much time or financial expenditure, but will serve as a good aid to the urologist when prescribing treatment.

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If a man goes to the doctor with a complaint about any symptoms that cannot be attributed to the norm, he will most likely be prescribed a flora smear to help identify the cause of the unpleasant manifestations. A smear from the urethra in men is an important urological procedure. With its help you can determine:

• Composition of microflora;
• Presence of inflammation;
• The presence of pathogenic microorganisms that indicate purulent processes;
• Presence of a sexually transmitted disease agent;
• Presence of a virus or fungus.

General research

After taking material from men to determine the microflora, a microscopic examination is carried out in the laboratory.

It takes 2-3 days for delivery, research and registration of results. The form indicates the number of leukocytes, the number of epithelial cells, the presence of mucus in the smear, coccal infections, and other pathogenic microorganisms.

For this type of study, there is a specific norm for indicators in men:

• leukocytes: 0 – 5 in the field of view;
• mucus in moderate quantities;
• absence of trichomonas and gonococci;
• epithelial cells: 5 – 10 per field of view;
• normal microflora in a smear in men: no more than 10 in the field of view.

Interpretation of results

Exceeding the level may indicate:

• the presence of urethritis and prostatitis, if the increased content of leukocytes in the urethra is caused by neutrophils or lymphocytes;
• an allergic reaction if the leukocyte count is increased due to an increase in the number of eosinophils;
• urethritis, if the content of epithelial cells is higher than normal;
• inflammatory process with excess mucus;
• gonorrhea when gonococci are detected;
• trichomoniasis when trichomonas are detected.

Epithelium refers to the cells that cover the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. If the analysis reveals that the amount of epithelium is higher than normal, it means that the man has chronic urethritis.

An increase in white blood cell levels may be caused by:

• injury;
• inflammation in the urethra;
• the appearance of a tumor.

The development of chronic diseases in the body is evidenced by a significant excess in the number of epithelial cells compared to leukocytes.

In a normal state, mucus can be detected in small quantities during analysis. A slight increase in its content is an indicator of injury and the development of a neoplasm.

When infected with trichomonas and gonococci, chlamydia, and candida, the amount of mucus becomes significant. It is written in the analysis form as “++” or “+++”.

An increased amount of mucus, leukocytes and epithelium indicates the presence of infection in the body and an acute pathological process.

An increased content of mucus and epithelium, but a slight excess of leukocytes is a symptom of diseases that occur in a chronic form.

With PCR, obtaining laboratory results takes 1–2 days. In case of a positive test result for latent infections, a control study of the samples is carried out.

A healthy man should be free of coccal, candida, and trichomonas microorganisms. If they are detected, the doctor prescribes a repeat study with special tests to determine the number of bacteria.

What diseases can a smear detect?

Despite some unpleasant consequences, taking a smear is an important and necessary procedure. It helps to identify a number of infectious, bacteriological diseases in the early stages and successfully overcome them. This:

• prostatitis;
• cystitis;
• urethritis;
• presence of neoplasms;
• sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, candidiasis).

Such diseases can be successfully treated with medication and pass without complications for the body. Failure to contact a specialist in a timely manner can lead to a number of complications. For men:

• impotence;
• prostatitis;
• infertility;

Among women:

• endometritis;
• infertility;
• transition of the disease to a chronic form.

All this can be avoided by starting timely and correct treatment. Only a specialist can prescribe it.

What to do after receiving the results

The patient’s main rule is not to interpret the results of a bacterioscopic smear analysis on their own and not to panic. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on the man’s condition and the type of infection detected.

1. If the disease is present, drugs are prescribed to destroy the pathogen.
2. If a man is diagnosed with a disease, his sexual partner also needs to be tested for infections.
3. During treatment they refuse sexual intercourse.

If a doctor prescribes a test for HIV, hepatitis, or syphilis, you must take it.

Although the procedure of taking a scraping or smear is unpleasant, it is necessary to identify dangerous diseases and is often prescribed by a venereologist and urologist. Following simple rules before donating biomaterial and after the procedure reduces the intensity and duration of painful sensations.

Bacteriological culture (bacterial culture)

- one of the most informative laboratory tests for assessing the condition of the urinary and reproductive systems. The essence of the study is to take a sample of flora from the urethra and create the most favorable conditions for it. As soon as the microorganisms multiply, diagnosticians receive material to create a therapeutic model. For what purposes and for what diseases is such a study prescribed?

Bacteriological culture from the urethra - analysis to determine the condition of the genitourinary system

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And further culture of the obtained biological material provides comprehensive information of the following type:

Viruses are not studied in bacteriological culture - they do not grow on ordinary nutrient media. Additional analysis and ELISA are required, since it is not possible to “sow” the viral agent. A study of this kind is considered the “gold standard” in the treatment of certain urological and andrological diseases.

When it hurts to write after collecting material

This problem bothers men more often than women. Everyone's pain threshold is different. That's why some men feel a lot of pain when they start peeing. Usually this discomfort goes away after a couple of urinations. But if it is completely impossible to endure, then here are some tips on how to ease the suffering.

1. When you first urinate, release a couple of drops of urine at once, wait until the pain subsides, and then completely empty your bladder. It will hurt, but not as much.
2. You can reduce the pain if you pee for the first time under a warm shower, after warming the genital organ with water.
3. Taking painkillers. It should be taken into account that they do not act immediately, so they should be used approximately 30 minutes before urination.
4. Abstain from sexual intercourse for 2-3 days. This process promotes stretching of the urethra, resulting in pain.
5. Carry out genital hygiene at least once a day. This simple procedure washes away residual urine, which causes discomfort and pain.

All discomfort in men ideally goes away within three days. If there is no improvement, you need to consult a doctor again.

By this time, the test results should be ready. After telling a specialist about your problem and comparing the results, he will prescribe the right treatment or additional examination. The main thing is not to self-medicate, this is fraught with disastrous consequences. One of them is infertility.

Painful urination may be caused by:

• contact of the penis with a medical instrument, the mucous membrane of the urethra is very sensitive;
• inflammatory process upon completion of the procedure, infection may occur;
• increased sensitivity of the urethra.

When going to the doctor, you should pay attention to where exactly the pain is located after urination. This is very important in making the correct diagnosis.

The most common painful places after urination are:

• pain in the stomach;
• groin pain;
• in the lower back;
• in the perineum;
• in the head of the penis.

You also need to pay attention to additional symptoms:

• blood and/or pus in the urine;
• frequent urination;
• weakness, fever, increased body temperature.

It is important when pain occurs: at the beginning of urination, in the middle or at the end. These pains, together with the test result, help identify the problem and make an accurate diagnosis.

Diseases that often occur with accompanying pain:

• stones in the ureter, painful sensations are typical after going to the toilet;
• gonorrhea, pain occurs after urination;
• trichomoniasis, it hurts the same;
• urethritis, constant pain, worse when going to the toilet;
• chlamydia, characterized by the presence of pain after peeing;
• ureaplasmosis, I often want to go to the toilet, the feeling of a not completely empty bladder.

Pain in the groin and abdomen is characteristic of neoplasms and inflammatory processes in the bladder. Pain in the lower back means there is a problem in the kidneys.

The most common are infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. They manifest themselves against a background of weakened immunity. In the early stages, these diseases are treated conservatively, with antibacterial and antifungal drugs. In advanced stages, treatment is longer and more serious.

How is the research conducted?

1. A specialized instrument is used to take a smear from the urethra. This is a rather painful process, but it is worth enduring for the sake of your own health. The urethra is probed to a depth of 2-3 centimeters.
2. Next, the material for research is collected in a circular motion.
3. The probe is removed and placed in a sterile tube. Microorganisms are transferred to a nutrient medium and the most comfortable conditions for reproduction are created for 24-72 hours, after which the grown colonies of microorganisms are examined.

In order for the analysis to be accurate, it is necessary to refrain from urinating for 2-3 hours before collecting the material.

A smear from the urethra is taken with a special probe

When is a bacteriological examination prescribed?

Often, a smear from the urethra in men is taken for prophylactic purposes to clarify the general picture of the condition of the genitourinary system. It is mandatory to be prescribed when planning a pregnancy or if a couple has problems conceiving.

But there are certain indications for conducting such a study.

The following signs may serve as a signal to prescribe a bacteriological analysis:

• Severe itching or burning appears in the area being examined;
• The genitals are red or covered in a rash;
• During sexual intercourse or during urination, any pain and discomfort is present;
• Unusual discharge appeared in the area of ​​the urinary canal.

Preparing for the study

The list of preparations for bacterial sowing is minimal

Minimal. Includes:

• refusal to take antibacterial agents per day;
• refusal of sexual intercourse for 2-3 days;
• Carrying out thorough hygiene of the external genitalia (several hours in advance).
• three hours before you should urinate for the last time.

If you do not follow the rules, the result will be false. It is recommended to consult a urologist with the results of the analysis.

Bacteriological culture from the urethra is one of the necessary studies. There is no need to be afraid of him. Health is a significant value and it is not worth risking.

Add a comment

A common health problem for men is various inflammatory processes of the kidneys and urethra, as well as infectious diseases transmitted through sexual contact. The occurrence of certain diseases is provoked by various pathogens.

The presence of infectious and inflammatory diseases in the male body can be determined using special diagnostic methods. One of them is a smear for infections in men. Therefore, it is important to know when this test is prescribed, how to properly prepare for it, and what the research results indicate.

For this research method, material from the urethra is used. In men, a urethral swab is prescribed to identify pathogenic microorganisms in the urethra. The analysis is mandatory when examined by a specialist - a urologist. This diagnosis helps identify the following pathologies:

Inflammatory process in the prostate gland

• Cystitis
• Candidiasis

This test is also used to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases, such as:

• Gonorrhea
• Mycoplasmosis
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis

A smear should also be done for the following symptoms:

• Discharge from the urethra, especially if it has an unpleasant odor and a different color from the norm.
• Rash in the genital area.
• Painful sensations in the penis area.
• Burning and toothache during and after urination.
• Inability to conceive for a long time.
• Discomfortable sensations in the urethral area.
• Swelling and hyperemia of the head of the penis.

More information about smears in men can be found in the video:

When these signs are caused by injuries to the urethra, then a smear for infection is not taken until the injuries have healed. The presence of infection is determined using a microscope, as well as by the method.

Using a smear from the urethra, the type and quantity of pathogenic microorganisms (, E. coli and others), microflora indicator, content, etc. are determined.

This method does not allow identifying hidden infections in the male body.

Therefore, additional diagnostics, the so-called cultural examination, may be prescribed. A smear for infections is also used for preventive purposes. In addition, it is an accessible and inexpensive diagnostic method.

Preparation for the procedure

Other rules for preparing for a urethral smear include:

1. Avoid intimacy several days before submitting the material.
2. It is recommended to carry out hygiene procedures for the genital organs in the evening before the examination.
3. It is not advisable to urinate for about 2-3 hours before the procedure. Therefore, it is better not to drink large amounts of liquid the day before.
4. Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

It is also important to remember that if the patient is taking any medications, the doctor should be informed about this. This is because taking medications during the week before the smear may affect the results. Taking antibiotics especially affects this.

Proper preparation for a smear for infection will increase the chances of obtaining a more reliable research result.

How to do a smear test for men

The procedure is quick and simple. The patient is asked to wash the penis with soap and rinse it with (warm) water, then dry the organ with a sterile gauze cloth.

The following instruments can be used to take the smear itself:

• A probe intended for urethro-genital procedures.
• Cotton swab.
• Medical tampon.
• Volkmann spoon.
• Bacteriological loop.

The research instrument must be sterile. It is good if the doctor uses a new one, just taken out of the package. The specialist inserts the instrument into the urethra to a depth of approximately 2-4 centimeters and turns it several times. This is necessary for better collection of material from the walls of the urethra.

This study lasts a maximum of one and a half minutes. Then an instrument with material taken from the urethra is placed into the test tube.

The smear can also be applied to a glass slide for examination using a microscope (light or electron).

The material is then dried and stained to identify bacteria and cells. Unpainted will not allow you to notice all the elements in the material being examined. It should be noted that for various purposes of analysis, the appropriate dye is selected (dye is used for microflora using the Gram method). Next, the smear is examined, the reaction of microflora particles is studied and their differentiation is performed.

It is important to note that pain and discomfort may occur during the test. After a smear, a man may experience a burning sensation when urinating and itching for several hours. But if severe pain is felt for more than a day, and purulent discharge from the urethra is observed, then it is necessary to consult a doctor.

What is mobiluncus, why is its identification important?

Mobiluncus is a fairly mobile anaerobic microorganism that has a vibrio-like shape. This type of infection belongs to the category of representatives of the intermediate microflora of the genitourinary system in men and women. By its nature of origin, mobiluncus belongs to the family of opportunistic microorganisms Actinomycetaceae.

For timely detection of a bacterial infection of a given strain, samples of biological material are taken using smears. The subject of the study may be saliva, mucus collected from the walls of the vagina and urethra, urine, which is collected in the morning.

Mobiluncus is one of the most common causative agents of infectious and inflammatory diseases in the form of vaginitis, urethritis, chronic and acute prostatitis in men. A distinctive feature of bacteria of this type is that they always interact with pathogenic microorganisms of other strains.

For example, during PCR diagnostics of biological material collected from a patient with signs of an infectious-inflammatory process in the urogenital tract, mobiluncus is almost always detected in combination with ureaplasma, fungi from the Candida family, and gardnerella.

Timely identification of this microorganism makes it possible to detect polymicrobial invasion of the mucous membrane of the urethra, vagina and other organs of the reproductive system.

Explanation: normal and possible diseases

During the study, the presence of the following components in the material taken is taken into account:

• Epithelium. The normal indicator is 5-10 cells in the field of view. If their level is elevated, this may indicate inflammatory processes in the man’s body.
• . Their number in the field of view should be up to three cells. This may occur if the urethra is injured during the procedure. However, when the level of these cells in the smear is elevated, it is considered a symptom of injury as a result of the occurrence.
• Leukocyte cells. When you urinate, a small number (one to five) is usually released. If more than five cells are detected, we can talk about inflammation. A high number of leukocytes in a smear indicates prostatitis, urethritis or cystitis.
• . The reason for their appearance in the smear is considered to be allergic reactions.
• Cocchi. A small amount of them is normal, since they are contained in the microflora of the urethra. Urethritis is diagnosed in case of increased cocci.
• Slime. An increase in the level of mucous secretions in a smear from the urethra indicates an inflammatory process of infectious etiology.
• Staphylococcus, enterococcus and streptococcus may be present in the smear, since they are conditionally pathogenic bacteria. But if their level is significantly elevated, then a diagnosis of urethritis is made. Escherichia coli, epidermal, aureus and saprophytic staphylococcus can cause a disease of a nonspecific nature.

Pathogenic microorganisms must be absent from the smear. But the presence of such bacteria in the material under study is diagnosed as a specific sexually transmitted infection:

• Trichomonas indicate trichomoniasis.
• Gonococci indicate gonorrhea.
• Chlamydia will be in the smear in case of chlamydia.
• and are found in the smear, respectively, with mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis.
• When the presence of sperm is observed in the material taken, the reason lies in spermatorrhea due to a weakened vas deferens.
• If yeast is present in the smear, then the man may have candidiasis (thrush).

If any deviations from the norm are detected, men should take the following steps:

1. Have a repeat smear to examine the microflora of the urethra.
2. After the diagnosis has been established, when the doctor prescribes the appropriate therapy, you should fully comply with the recommendations and all the instructions of the specialist.
3. In such cases, it is not allowed to independently select medications and take them, because this can only worsen the situation.

Sometimes it happens that there are no signs of infection, but the result indicates the disease. Then old diseases are often diagnosed, which also require treatment, even with an asymptomatic course of the pathology. In any case, deviations from normal values ​​in a smear in men are not a cause of despair. Each of the identified diseases is treatable, especially if diagnosed in the early stages and treated in a timely manner.

Ignoring infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system is fraught with serious consequences, for example, impotence or. Therefore, you should not run away from the problem, but immediately contact a medical facility.

A flora smear is a basic diagnostic procedure that is used in venereological, urological and gynecological practice. It serves as a kind of indicator of existing disorders in the genitourinary sphere, and, despite the fact that many experts consider it outdated and uninformative, it firmly holds its position in the list of standard medical procedures.

Reasons identified in a smear

Mobiluncus in a smear in women can be detected without signs of an inflammatory process. In this case, the microflora of the female reproductive system constantly contains bacteria of the Mobiluncus mulieris strain, which are presented in minimal quantities.

After infection of the urogenital tract with other infectious microorganisms, a surge in the pathogenic activity of the mobiluncus occurs. The presence of this agent is a biological indicator that the microflora of the female and male genitourinary system has been infected by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The main reasons for detecting mobiluncus in a smear with the mucous contents of the vagina or urethral canal are associated with the presence of the following diseases of the urogenital tract, which occur in acute or chronic form:

• inflammation of the prostate gland in men;
• urethritis;
• cystitis;

• bacterial vaginosis;
• endometritis;
• vesiculitis;
• salpingo-oophoritis;
• orchiepididymitis in men.

In medical practice, there are numerous cases where mobiluncus was detected in patients who experienced miscarriage. Based on the results of the examination, the infectious nature of the origin of the early interruption of fetal development was confirmed.

In this regard, we can conclude that the reason for the appearance of mobiluncus in a smear is infection of the female and male genitourinary system with an excess amount of pathogenic microorganisms.

What is analysis

During an objective examination of the patient, the doctor inserts a special sterile instrument into the urethra. After making a light scraping from the walls of the urethra, the resulting contents are applied to glass slides.

The depth of insertion of the instrument is about 3 cm. It is at this distance from the entrance to the urethra that microorganisms live; deeper than 5 cm, the cavity and walls of the canal are practically sterile. Sometimes the doctor does not use instruments, but a sterile cotton swab or dactron swab.

Subsequently, the slides are dried in the open air and stained with special preparations. After the stain dries, a laboratory technician examines them under a light or electron microscope. Different cells and their parts react in their own way to coloring: some are sensitive to it, others are not. This simplifies the work of the laboratory assistant, who differentiates the identified microscopic particles from each other.

As a rule, a laboratory technician analyzes a smear according to the following criteria:

1. The presence and number of leukocytes in the field of view.
2. Presence and quantity of red blood cells.
3. Determination of the number of cells of desquamated squamous epithelium.
4. Presence of mucus and pus.
5. Presence, type and number of microorganisms.

If infection with Trichomonas is suspected, the smear is examined immediately after application to a glass slide; this allows identifying mobile pathogens of trichomoniasis.

The subjective sensations of men who have undergone this procedure are very different. It is believed that normally, in the absence of an inflammatory process in the cavity of the urethra, the procedure for taking a smear does not cause discomfort. However, this depends on individual sensitivity and how carefully the healthcare worker takes a smear of the flora.

In some cases, after taking a smear, discomfort and even pain in the urethra persist, increasing with urination.

This may be an indirect sign of inflammation of the urethra.

Symptoms

Mobiluncus in a smear in women is determined in a biochemical laboratory using modern medical equipment. The presence of this microorganism on the surface of the mucous membrane of the urethra, vagina, and in the tissues of the prostate gland is manifested by the following symptoms:

• cutting pain that appears at the time of urination;
• the presence of false urges to outflow urine, when, when trying to go to the toilet, a small amount of urine is released;
• redness of the mucous membrane of the vagina and urethral canal;
• acute pain that appears during intimacy with a sexual partner;
• erectile dysfunction in men, if the main localization of infectious microorganisms is prostate tissue;
• foamy discharge in women, which may have a completely white, yellow or greenish tint, and also has an unpleasant putrefactive odor;
• increased dryness of the mucous membrane of the internal genital organs;
• itching that periodically occurs inside the vagina or urethral canal;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen, indicating the onset of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the female internal genital organs;
• glassy or purulent discharge from the urethral canal in men, as well as pain in the perineal area.

In people with severely weakened immune systems, the pathogenic activity of the mobiluncus, as well as other infectious agents, can increase the overall body temperature, which reaches 37-38 degrees, depending on the severity of the inflammatory process.

Symptoms of infection with these microorganisms resemble most diseases of the urogenital tract of bacterial or fungal etiology. In this regard, only analysis of the mucous contents of the smear allows one to determine the presence of mobiluncus.

Preparing for the study

If the test is prescribed to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for a genitourinary infection, then it is advisable to take it no earlier than a week or two after the end of the course of antibacterial therapy. Before a smear is made, you should follow the basic rules that will increase the reliability of the test result:

If there is a suspicion of a hidden infection, the doctor will recommend carrying out a so-called provocation on the eve of the test. It could be:

1. Intramuscular administration of gonovaccine in a dose of 500 million microbial bodies or the use of the drug "Pyrogenal" in the form of suppositories or by intramuscular injection.
2. Dinner with fatty, spicy, salty and smoked foods, which aggravate the course of the disease.
3. Visiting a bathhouse, sauna or taking a hot bath the day before taking a smear. In some hospitals, immediately before the test, the external genitalia are heated with inductothermic currents.
4. Treatment of the urethra with a solution of silver nitrate.
5. Insertion of a special instrument into the male urethra - a bougie (for mechanical irritation of the walls of the urethral cavity).
6. Drinking a small amount of alcohol the night before the test.

Toilet of the external genitalia is carried out no later than a few hours before taking a smear.

Is preliminary preparation necessary?

Whatever test you have to take, to get the most accurate result, doctors provide certain recommendations. Before taking a smear for flora, they advise:

• A week before the procedure, you should stop taking medications that have not been agreed upon with your doctor;
• Complete abstinence from intimacy is required for two days;
• Before scraping, in order not to distort the result, you should not urinate for about two hours;
• Hygiene procedures should be carried out the night before, and not before visiting the doctor.

Norm

The following indicators are considered normal:

• Leukocytes from zero to five in the field of view.
• Epithelial cells from five to ten.
• Mucus in moderation.
• Trichomonas with gonococci are absent.

An increase in the number of leukocytes, as well as epithelium, combined with the appearance of eosinophils, red blood cells and an increase in the amount of mucus indicates an inflammatory reaction. The presence of gonococcus, Trichomonas, yeast elements, any other bacteria, as well as intracellular parasites are signs of the disease. But it should be remembered that only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and correctly interpret the results.

results

There is a list of individual criteria by which the degree of cleanliness of the urethral mucosa is assessed. The presence or absence of certain inclusions may indicate the development of a particular pathological process. When examining a urethral smear, special attention is paid to the following signs.

Red blood cells

The physiological norm is the presence of no more than 3 red blood cells in the field of view. If the number of red blood cells in a urethral smear does not go beyond the specified limits, this may indicate minor traumatic damage to the mucous membrane when a doctor took biological material.

An increase in the number of red blood cells in combination with leukocyturia indicates the development of an inflammatory process, benign or malignant tumors of the urethra. In addition, erythrocyturia may indicate erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes are white blood cells that are responsible for detecting and eliminating foreign microorganisms that have entered the human body from the outside. A large accumulation of white blood cells is observed in the area where an inflammatory process of an infectious and non-infectious nature has developed.

During normal functioning of the male body, the number of leukocytes should not exceed 5 units in the field of view. An increase in the concentration of these cells indicates the development of inflammatory damage to the urethra and other overlying parts of the genitourinary system.

Eosinophils

These blood cells are specific indicators of an allergic reaction. Under normal conditions, their number does not exceed 10% of the total amount of formed elements in the blood. If this percentage tends to increase, then this indicates the development of a hypersensitivity reaction.

Male reproductive cells (sperm)

The presence of sperm in a urethral smear indicates spermatorrhea. This condition may indicate congenital or acquired weakness of the muscular elements of the vas deferens.

Lipoid grains

The appearance of these specific fragments in a urethral smear in men indicates the development of prostatorrhea, a specific symptom in which prostate secretions that do not contain male reproductive cells enter the lumen of the urethra. This condition is typical for chronic inflammatory lesions of the prostate against the background of prolonged sexual abstinence.

Key cell formations

This symptom is characterized by the accumulation of specific formations on the surface of desquamated epithelial cells. This reaction indicates the development of a local inflammatory process. One potential cause of the appearance of key cells is gardnerella urethritis.

Desquamated epithelium

In the normal state, the number of elements of the desquamated epithelium is no more than 10 in the field of view. When this indicator increases, we are talking about the development of an infectious or non-infectious inflammatory lesion of the urethra. When this symptom appears in combination with leukocyturia, this indicates an acute course of the inflammatory reaction.

If a large amount of desquamated epithelium is not accompanied by leukocyturia, then the inflammatory process has a chronic, sluggish course. In this situation, there is a high risk of degeneration of the epithelial component, which indicates the development of the so-called urethral leukoplakia.

Pathogenic microorganisms

Along with the listed signs, the laboratory doctor evaluates the patient’s urethral smear for the presence, type and number of pathogens. When analyzing a urethral smear of a healthy man, a doctor can detect the following combinations of bacterial agents present in a conditionally acceptable amount:

• Proteus, corynebacteria, fecal enterococcus, viridans streptococcus, Escherichia coli;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria, Staphylococcus aureus;
• epidermal staphylococcus.

Diagnostic value

Usually, to make a diagnosis of urological diseases, a general clinical examination of urethral discharge taken for analysis is performed.

Thanks to this analysis, in women and men it is possible to identify:

• Venereal diseases;
• Nonspecific infection;
• Viral pathologies;
• Differentiate acute from chronic disease.

A thorough study of the obtained biomaterial in the laboratory helps to determine the type of microorganisms, their number, and to test the sensitivity of microbes to antibiotics. Thus, smear microscopy will allow us to conclude about the presence of an infectious process, establish its type and select the correct treatment. Additionally, women may be prescribed a smear from the vagina and cervix for flora, and men may be prescribed a prostate juice test.

Possible complications

In a healthy patient, the smear collection procedure is painless. Sometimes there is a feeling of discomfort, a burning sensation on the head. Symptoms go away on their own within 5-10 minutes.

On the first day after the procedure, the burning sensation when urinating may resume. Herbal remedies, as well as cranberry juice and compotes, will help prevent pain. To prevent foods that irritate the mucous membrane from getting into the urine, for the first three days you should abstain from smoked foods, spicy foods, and alcohol.

If the pain does not go away for several days, or other unpleasant symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

How can you avoid unpleasant sensations?

So, how can you give a man a urethral smear without feeling pain? To avoid discomfort after the test, doctors recommend adhering to the following recommendations:

• Monitor the frequency of urination. As a rule, the first trip to the toilet after donating biomaterial should take place no later than thirty to forty-five minutes. The pain will only increase while holding back this process.
• You need to urinate correctly. First, a man should release only a small portion of urine (we are talking about a few drops). Then, after enduring a wave of discomfort, the bladder is completely emptied.
• Maintaining hygiene. It is worth noting that washing the genitals should be done at least once a day. At the same time, doctors only allow the use of hypoallergenic products that are intended for washing, or laundry soap along with an infusion of herbs (for example, chamomile, thyme).
• Wearing loose underwear made from natural fabric and without dyes.
• Abstinence from sexual relations for at least a week after appropriate medical procedures. In order to avoid pain, it is best to avoid sexual arousal, including.
• Maintaining a gentle diet. It is worth recalling that alcohol must be excluded from a person’s diet, along with fried, spicy and fatty foods, spices, smoked and sour foods.

Contraindications and advantages of the method

A smear on the flora in men is a research method that has many advantages:

• non-invasive and simple;
• The collection of material is carried out quickly and in most cases painlessly;
• the analysis results are very informative;
• based on the research data, conclusions are drawn about the functioning of the reproductive and excretory systems;
• various pathologies of the genitourinary system can be diagnosed at an early stage.

Contraindications for the procedure:

• the material is not taken at high temperature or acute inflammatory process of the non-genitourinary area, since the results may be distorted;
• sampling is not carried out in patients who are intoxicated or inappropriate patients with mental disorders;
• bleeding, tumors of the urethra, trauma to the urethra and curvature of the penis are also reasons for refusing the procedure.

You should not refuse to take a scraping from the urethra, since this simple and uncomplicated procedure will provide a lot of information about the man’s health. The analysis should be taken not only if there are complaints, but also during a planned visit to a specialist, since many pathologies and infections occur latently and do not give obvious symptoms, and with the help of this study they are easy to identify and treat in time.

Decoding

The results of the analysis are deciphered by the doctor, comparing the actual indicators with the norm. Particular attention is paid to the presence of microorganisms.

The sample obtained from a healthy man should not contain the following pathogenic microorganisms:

• gonococci;
• trichomonas;
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasmas;
• ureaplasma;
• coli;
• corynebacterium.

Some bacteria live permanently in the urinary tract. Normally, microscopy reveals single staphylococci or bacilli in the field of view.

If the number of microbes is increased, treatment with universal antibiotics is prescribed. At the same time, a culture test is carried out to test for sensitivity to antibiotics, and based on the results, the treatment is adjusted. After completing the therapeutic course, its effectiveness is assessed by repeated smear collections for analysis.

The following results of a microscopic examination of a urethral smear are considered normal:

1. The white blood cell count is less than 6. An increase in the cell count indicates urethritis. If eosinophils are detected, an allergic condition is suspected.
2. The number of red blood cells is less than four. A large number of red cells indicates traumatic injury.
3. The epithelium of the urinary canals is constantly renewed. But if >10 cells are found in the field of view, this indicates destruction of the mucous membrane. The condition requires medical intervention
4. A small amount of mucus. An increase in volume indicates an inflammatory process.
5. Lack of sperm.

Rules, procedure for taking a urethral smear and interpretation of the results - ODSIS Medical portal

A smear from the urethra is a necessary component of the examination for genitourinary infections. It is prescribed to men and women, because such an analysis will help to accurately determine the nature of the causative agent of the disease. There are some features of taking a smear from people of different sexes, as well as specific preparation - this must be taken into account before analysis.

Why is a urethral smear necessary?

A urethral smear refers to an examination technique during which cells are collected from the walls of the urethra.

This is necessary for further bacteriological or cytological examination, which will help establish an accurate diagnosis.

In most cases, in women and men, a regular smear is sufficient, but scraping must be done to detect a number of intracellular pathogens (for example, chlamydia).

Diagnostic value

Usually, to make a diagnosis of urological diseases, a general clinical examination of urethral discharge taken for analysis is performed.

Thanks to this analysis, in women and men it is possible to identify:

• Venereal diseases;
• Nonspecific infection;
• Viral pathologies;
• Differentiate acute from chronic disease.

A thorough study of the obtained biomaterial in the laboratory helps to determine the type of microorganisms, their number, and to test the sensitivity of microbes to antibiotics.

Thus, smear microscopy will allow us to conclude about the presence of an infectious process, establish its type and select the correct treatment.

Additionally, women may be prescribed a smear from the vagina and cervix for flora, and men may be prescribed a prostate juice test.

Indications for implementation

Men who rarely visit a urologist as planned should be attentive to the appearance of various pathological signs.

Thus, taking a smear from the urethra is necessary for:

• Discharges;
• Burning, pain in the urethra;
• Urinary disorders;
• The appearance of blood in the urine;
• Unpleasant smell of urine.

In women, the urethra is wider and shorter, so the inflammatory process reaches the bladder faster. In this regard, the above symptoms may be accompanied by cramps, burning in the lower abdomen, colic and aching pain in the abdomen. During the infectious process, body temperature may increase, usually up to 37.5-38 degrees, no more.

Indications for a urethral smear include not only acute and chronic infections of the bladder, kidneys, and urethra.

The analysis is also indicated for assessing the quality of treatment, for conducting a full examination before operations, and when planning conception.

Based on the results of a smear on the flora, fungi, bacteria, viruses and products of their decay and vital activity will be identified. Possible diagnoses are urethritis, cystitis, and if the infection spreads to the kidneys, pyelonephritis.

Preparing for analysis

Women should take the test a week after the end of their period - this way the data will be more accurate. Of course, such a delay is acceptable for routine examinations for chronic diseases; in acute cases, a smear is taken at any time.

Other measures to prepare for a smear in women:

• Do not take antibiotics or antiseptics for 14 days;
• Do not use soap or other chemical hygiene products for 3 days (wash only with water);
• Do not drink alcohol, avoid sexual intercourse for 24 hours;
• 6 hours before the test, do not wash your face, and 3 hours before the test, refrain from going to the toilet.

Men should perform genital hygiene the evening before the test day. You need to abstain from sex for 1-2 days, and not urinate for 3 hours. Taking any medications must be agreed upon with your doctor in advance.

How to get it

The most common method of taking a smear for women and men is virtually painless. For women, a smear is taken on a gynecological chair, for men - in a standing position.

A thin applicator with a soft tip is inserted into the very beginning of the urethra, touching its walls several times, after which the applicator is removed.

The procedure is performed in just a few seconds, and usually does not cause severe discomfort.

There is another method, more painful, during which the cells are scraped. A special instrument is inserted into the urethra 2-3 cm, pressed against the wall of the canal and rotated 2-3 times. This is necessary so that epithelial cells, in which infectious agents can exist, get into the discharge.

Next, the resulting material is placed in a test tube and sent to the laboratory. Another option is to apply urethral discharge onto glass and send it for examination under a microscope. For men, a prostate test can be performed before the analysis - this way its juice will enter the urethra and will also be examined.

In men, taking a smear is always more painful than in women. This is due to the narrowness of the canal and the high sensitivity of its walls. It is important to find an experienced doctor, because careless taking of a smear can lead to injury and the appearance of blood and inflammation. Here's a video about how to take a smear from the urethra in men:

Decoding the results

The analysis shows a complete picture of the existing infectious disease. The doctor draws conclusions based on the information received; in some cases, repeated research will be required to clarify the diagnosis.

There are standards for the main indicators of a smear; for men and women they are practically no different:
Indicator In men In women

Leukocytes

If the number of leukocytes is within the normal range (up to 5), this is normal. Exceeding the indicator always means the presence of an inflammatory process. In this case, it is advisable to conduct a more detailed study of the types of leukocytes. If neutrophils predominate among them, we are talking about an acute process; if lymphocytes and eosinophils, allergic urethritis occurs.

When leukocytes are detected, bacteria are simultaneously detected. A large number of coccal flora indicates nonspecific urethritis; the presence of trichomonas and gonococci reflects the development of STIs - a specific infection.

Epithelium

The presence of a large number of epithelial cells means their detachment from the mucous membrane of the urethra as a result of inflammation. This usually confirms the presence of chronic urethritis.

The parallel appearance of a large number of red blood cells may indicate a tumor, urethral ulcer or trauma.

The combination of a large number of epithelial cells and a small number of leukocytes may indicate urethral leukoplakia.

Slime

The presence of mucus in the urethra indicates inflammation, less often injury (in combination with blood) or tumor. If there is a lot of mucus, Trichomonas or Candida fungi are most often detected, as well as abundant coccal flora. In this case, increased white blood cells will additionally be detected.

Consequences and possible complications

For several hours after taking a smear, burning, pain, and cutting in the urethra may be observed. Often the sensations are quite unpleasant and resemble an exacerbation of urethritis. In men, if a smear is taken inaccurately, urinary disturbances and the inability to urinate due to pain may occur.

In this case, you can use local urological agents with anesthetics or urinate in warm water.

If after a smear a discharge appears, especially with pus (yellowish) and it hurts to write, you should immediately consult a doctor! Very rarely, a complication is an acute infectious process that will require antibiotics.

Source: https://odsis.ru/mazok-iz-uretry-u-muzhchin-i-zhenshhin-kak-beretsya-kak-podgotovitsya-chto-pokazyvaet/