<b>Evaluation of the influence of contraceptive methods on the results of Papanicolaou smears</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v28i1.1091

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the use of contraceptive methods, such as the intrauterine device (IDU), the hormonal contraceptive (HCP) and the preservative (PRESER), on the results of Papanicolaou smears (Pap). A retrospective analysis was conducted based on Papanicolau results and on information from 2251 women's contraceptive methods, distributed in: IDU (n=80), HCP (n=172), PRESER (n=40) and non-users (n=1959). Non-users presented more normal results; and IDU users presented benign alterations. Among the three groups, the IDU users manifested more squaly squamous metaplasia than the non-users. There was no notice of ASCUS/SIL or cancer in the users of contraceptive methods. The infections with candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis prevailed. Particularly in IDU users, there was more vaginosis. Actinomyces sp. was only noticed in IDU users, and Trichomonas vaginalis in non-users. Thus, submitting to Pap examination is mainly important for the users of IDU and HCP due to the benign alterations, because these can be predisposed to and/or facilitate infections, including HPV