Bacterial Vaginosis Test
Reviewed
This test checks a sample of vaginal discharge for signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV), an infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. It can be done using a microscope (vaginal smear/wet mount), a whiff test for odor, a vaginal pH test, or a PCR test. Untreated BV can increase the risk of STDs and preterm birth. At-home pH kits are available but cannot diagnose BV.
Preparation and collection
For 24 hours before your test, you'll usually need to avoid: using tampons, douching, using creams or medicines in the vagina, and having vaginal sex.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- You may feel mild discomfort when the speculum is inserted during sample collection.
- At-home pH test kits cannot diagnose BV; a high pH only suggests a higher likelihood, and a normal pH does not rule out BV.
- PCR testing is more expensive and not used as often as other methods.
What to do next
If your results show you have a BV infection, your provider will probably prescribe antibiotic pills and/or antibiotic creams or gels that you put in your vagina. If your results show you don't have BV, your provider may do more tests to find the cause of your symptoms. If you have questions about your results, talk with your health care provider.