Bacterial Vaginosis Test
Reviewed
Also called: BV test, vaginal pH test, KOH test, wet mount test, vaginal smear
A bacterial vaginosis (BV) test checks for a bacterial infection in the vagina.
Specimen: vaginal discharge
Why this test may be ordered
- You have symptoms of BV, such as unusual gray or white discharge, a strong fish-like odor (especially after sex), vaginal pain/itching, or burning when urinating.
- You have a female sex partner who has BV or symptoms that could be BV.
Preparation and collection
Follow the instructions your provider gives you to prepare for this test. For 24 hours before your test, you'll usually need to avoid: Using tampons, Douching, Using creams or medicines in the vagina, Having vaginal sex.
Your provider will use a cotton swab or wooden stick to collect a sample of your vaginal discharge. Your provider may examine the sample or send it to a lab for testing. At-home test kits are available to test for the bacteria that cause BV. To get proper care, share your results with your provider.
You may feel mild discomfort when the speculum is put in your vagina.
Understanding results
The results from a BV test may be reported in different ways depending on the type of test you received.
- Vaginal pH over 4.5: A pH over 4.5, may mean you have BV. Limitation: However, a pH test can't diagnose BV on its own. Next step: To be sure about your results, discuss them with your provider.
- Vaginal pH between 3.8 and 4.5: A healthy vagina has a pH range between 3.8 and 4.5. Limitation: However, a pH test can't diagnose BV on its own. Next step: If your results show you don't have BV, your provider may do more tests to find the cause of your symptoms.
- Abnormal vaginal smear or whiff test: If the results are abnormal, that means that you have a bacterial infection. Limitation: Sometimes a BV infection will come back after successful treatment. Next step: 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.
- 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
There are no over-the-counter treatments for BV. Treatments for vaginal yeast infections will not help BV and could make your symptoms worse. So, don't try to treat an infection yourself. If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- What do my test results mean for my health?
- Do I need any follow-up tests?
- Should my female sex partner also be tested?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.