Interference Potential of Personal Lubricants and Vaginal Medications on ThinPrep(R) Pap Tests

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effects of water-based speculum lubricants on both conventional Papanicolaou smears and liquid-based Papanicolaou tests have been well documented. However, studies are lacking concerning the effects on these tests of personal lubricants and/or vaginal medications. Lubricants containing "carbomers" or "carbopol polymers" are known to interfere with ThinPrep® Papanicolaou test processing. Many over-the-counter products that advertise effects lasting several days may contain these substances. This study tests 2 popular personal lubricants (KY Warming Liquid [Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ] and Replens [KoRa Health Care, Swords, Ireland]) and one yeast medication (Monistat 7, McNeill-PPC, Inc., Skillman, NJ) for interference on ThinPrep® Papanicolaou tests. METHODS: The residual specimens from 270 ThinPrep® vials were combined to form 100 homogenous ThinPrep® Papanicolaou specimens. Nine groups of 10 vials were then contaminated with 20 μL, 100 μL, and 500 μL of each of the 3 products. One group of 10 vials served as control. Cell counts were performed after processing the specimens onto slides, and the results were recorded. RESULTS: KY Warming Liquid had no effect at any volume of contamination. Replens caused a drastic reduction in cellularity at even the lowest volume. Monistat 7 reduced cellularity incrementally as the volume increased. CONCLUSION: The potential exists for some over-the-counter lubricants and vaginal medications to interfere with the ThinPrep® Papanicolaou test.