Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)- Pap Test and Gram Findings
Published: 2022-11-22
Page: 317-320
Issue: 2022 - Volume 5 [Issue 1]
José Eleutério Junior *
Postgraduate Program in Pathology, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil and Prof. Eleutério Laboratory, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Renata Mírian Nunes Eleutério
Prof. Eleutério Laboratory, Fortaleza, Brazil and Biomedicine Course - Christus University Center, Fortaleza, Brazil.
João Victor da Silva Bezerra
Postgraduate Program in Pathology, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil.
Armanda do Carmo Ponce de Leão Lins
Postgraduate Program in Pathology, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil.
Marina Helena da Silva Lopes
Postgraduate Program in Pathology, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil.
Ana Katherinne Silveira Gonçalves
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The loss of ovarian function, prematurely or due to menopause, causes a decrease of the vaginal epithelium trophy. However, with the end of the menstrual cycle and the consequent hypoestrogenism, the epithelial thickness also decreases, with only the parabasal and basal layers remaining with low glycogen reserves. A thinner epithelial thickness associated with a pH greater than 4.5 and a microbiota without protective bacteria (Lactobacillus sp) can lead to an inflammatory condition not necessarily related to the action of a pathogen but mainly the atrophy itself. Atrophic vaginitis is often confused with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Laboratory findings do not necessarily coincide with symptoms but could help in diagnosing. Examinations such as bacterioscopy of vaginal smear (Gram) and cytology (Pap test or cytology in liquid medium) have findings that may suggest a picture of intense hypoestrogenism. However, the clinical-laboratory correlation is essential.
Keywords: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginitis, papanicolaou test, cytology