This indicates that endometrial cells, normally located inside the uterus, have been shed and are appearing at the mouth of the cervix.

This is a normal finding in women of childbearing age, particularly if they are close to starting or just finishing their menstrual period. Menopausal women taking estrogen replacement therapy may also normally show a few endometrial cells on their Pap smears from time to time.

In menopausal women not taking estrogen replacement therapy, the presence of endometrial cells may be an abnormal finding and should be followed up with an endometrial biopsy to try to determine the reason for the presence of these cells.