Superficial eosinophilic squamous epithelial cells in vaginal smears from postmenopausal women

19 500 vaginal smears from women aged 20-90 years were examined from August 1976 to November 1979. 3 000 were from women more than 55 years of age. 146 of these had smears with an increased proportion of superficial eosinophilic squamous epithelial cells (SESEC). The smears were divided into four groups, A-D with 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and 75-100% of SESEC of the examined squamous epithelial cells. 39% of the 146 with increased proportions of SESEC were either undergoing treatment with estrogenic hormones, or else the possibility of estrogenic influence could not be ruled out. In group D the possibility of an estrogenic influence was more pronounced, here found to be 67%. In 32% of the 146 cases we believe that these cells were possibly the result of changed anatomical conditions in the cervix/vagina. Such an explanation seems most frequently probable in groups A and B. In 5% of the 146 cases the cells appeared changed, as can be seen in trichomoniasis. In 21% the discovery of the cells could not be explained. Finally, no explanation could be found for 5% in group D.