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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeMedicalTest HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Bacterial Vaginosis Tests</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3370"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d4032d6d" fingerprint-exact="4fcae40e">Test Overview</h2> <p fingerprint="88373f5b" fingerprint-exact="cbbfbd96">Tests for <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stb117020" data-hw-section="stb117020-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stb117020" data-hwid="stb117020" hw:section-href="stb117020-sec" href="?id=stb117020#stb117020-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">bacterial vaginosis</span></a> take samples of fluid from the <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="tp10273" data-hw-section="tp10273-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="tp10273" data-hwid="tp10273" hw:section-href="tp10273-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=tp10273#tp10273-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">vagina</span></a>. The samples are looked at under a microscope to see if they show signs of infection. </p> <p fingerprint="cf0cc045" fingerprint-exact="2cd3b115">Bacterial vaginosis can happen when certain types of bacteria that are normally in the vagina overgrow. It doesn't always cause symptoms. But the most common symptom is an increase in vaginal discharge. The discharge often has a fishy odor. </p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="33380662" fingerprint-exact="1260fc5e">Tests</h3> <p fingerprint="c53ccd85" fingerprint-exact="a0220930">Tests for bacterial vaginosis include: </p> <ul fingerprint="5e24154f" fingerprint-exact="ca5bee00"> <li> <b>Wet mount.</b> A sample of vaginal discharge is checked for bacteria, <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="tv7034" data-hw-section="tv7034-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="tv7034" data-hwid="tv7034" hw:section-href="tv7034-sec" href="?id=tv7034#tv7034-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">white blood cells</span></a>, and unusual cells called <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="aa73146" data-hw-section="aa73146-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="aa73146" data-hwid="aa73146" hw:section-href="aa73146-sec" href="?id=aa73146#aa73146-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">clue cells</span></a>. If clue cells are found, it means you may have bacterial vaginosis. </li> <li> <b>Whiff test.</b> A sample of discharge is checked to see if a strong fishy odor is created when a special solution is added. A fishy odor usually means you have bacterial vaginosis. </li> <li> <b>Vaginal pH.</b> The <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stp1367" data-hw-section="stp1367-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stp1367" data-hwid="stp1367" hw:section-href="stp1367-sec" href="?id=stp1367#stp1367-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">pH</span></a> of a sample of vaginal discharge is measured. Bacterial vaginosis often causes a pH that is higher than normal. </li> <li> <b>DNA test.</b> A sample of vaginal discharge is tested for the genetic material, or <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="std120898" data-hw-section="std120898-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="std120898" data-hwid="std120898" hw:section-href="std120898-sec" href="?id=std120898#std120898-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">DNA</span></a>, of this bacteria.</li> </ul> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3389"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="3d5095ef" fingerprint-exact="55cd7304">Why It Is Done</h2> <p fingerprint="f5dd4e11" fingerprint-exact="afc21786">Tests for bacterial vaginosis are done to help find the cause of symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, irritation, or pain. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3391"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="026e985e" fingerprint-exact="df1d0bbc">How To Prepare</h2> <p fingerprint="0e7bc1af" fingerprint-exact="95065ef1">Your doctor may ask you not to douche, have sex, or use vaginal medicines for 24 hours before this test.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3394"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="e59ce77f" fingerprint-exact="42dd83e2">How It Is Done</h2> <p fingerprint="890a8fd1" fingerprint-exact="c05b18f8">You will take off your clothes below the waist. You'll have a gown to drape around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet supported by footrests. This is similar to having a <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="zm2209" data-hw-section="zm2209-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="zm2209" data-hwid="zm2209" hw:section-href="zm2209-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=zm2209#zm2209-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">pelvic examination</span></a> or <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stp1278" data-hw-section="stp1278-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stp1278" data-hwid="stp1278" hw:section-href="stp1278-sec" href="?id=stp1278#stp1278-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Pap test</span></a>. </p> <p fingerprint="4c74d1b9" fingerprint-exact="acb551ee">Your doctor will place a <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="zm2209" data-hw-section="zm2209-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="zm2209" data-hwid="zm2209" hw:section-href="zm2209-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=zm2209#zm2209-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">speculum</span></a> into your vagina. It opens the vagina a little bit. This allows your doctor to see the inside of the vagina and the <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stc123711" data-hw-section="stc123711-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stc123711" data-hwid="stc123711" hw:section-href="stc123711-sec" href="?id=stc123711#stc123711-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">cervix</span></a>. </p> <p fingerprint="620ddd09" fingerprint-exact="0480e07d">Samples of fluid inside the vagina are then collected with a swab. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3398"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="2dd5db50" fingerprint-exact="deba34d5">How It Feels</h2> <p fingerprint="07eb528b" fingerprint-exact="67d70978">You may feel some discomfort when the speculum is put in, especially if your vagina is irritated and tender. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3400"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="a566bce5" fingerprint-exact="1aacb8d8">Risks</h2> <p fingerprint="723335f4" fingerprint-exact="a3203970">There is little chance of having a problem from a bacterial vaginosis test.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw3402"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="9413e669" fingerprint-exact="9fa3e414">Results</h2> <table class="hw-table-border" fingerprint="388ee2bd" fingerprint-exact="320bf9df"> <caption>Tests for bacterial vaginosis</caption> <colgroup> <col> <col> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <th class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top" scope="row" rowspan="4"> <p> Normal </p> </th> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>There is no abnormal discharge in the vagina.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>A wet mount does not show <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="aa73146" data-hw-section="aa73146-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="aa73146" data-hwid="aa73146" hw:section-href="aa73146-sec" href="?id=aa73146#aa73146-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">clue cells</span></a> or large numbers of bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>Adding a special solution to a sample of the discharge doesn't cause a fishy odor.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>Vaginal <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stp1367" data-hw-section="stp1367-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stp1367" data-hwid="stp1367" hw:section-href="stp1367-sec" href="?id=stp1367#stp1367-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">pH</span></a> is in the normal range.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <th class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top" scope="row" rowspan="4"> <p> Abnormal </p> </th> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>There is a thin, grayish white discharge in the vagina.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>A wet mount shows clue cells or large numbers of the types of bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis, or both.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>Adding a special solution to a sample of the discharge causes a fishy odor.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-left hw-align-text-top"> <p>Vaginal pH is higher than normal.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-hw3367-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="84fa2609" fingerprint-exact="ec8cccf3"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="zm2257" data-hw-section="zm2257-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="zm2257" data-hwid="zm2257" hw:section-href="zm2257-sec" href="?id=zm2257#zm2257-sec">Medical Tests: Questions to Ask the Doctor</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwSectionCredits" id="sec-hw3367-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> April 30, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" 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