Vaginitis test - wet mount

• Alternative Names

  Wet prep

• How the test is performed

  You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet in the stirrups. The health care provider will perform a pelvic examination and then insert an instrument called a speculum into the vagina. The speculum is slightly opened. This holds the vagina open and allows the health care provider to see inside.

  The health care provider inserts a sterile, moist cotton swab into the vagina to take a sample of discharge. The swab and speculum are removed. The discharge is placed onto a slide and placed under a microscope so that it can be checked for signs of infection.

• How to prepare for the test

  Do not douche for 24 hours before the test.

• How the test will feel

  There may be slight discomfort with the pelvic examination and when the speculum is inserted.

• Why the test is performed

  The test looks for the cause of vaginal irritation and discharge.

• Normal Values

  A normal test result means there are no signs of an infection.

• What abnormal results mean

  Abnormal results mean there is an infection. The most common infections are due to one or a combination of the following:

  • Bacterial vaginosis -- bacteria that normally live in the vagina overgrow, causing a heavy, white, fishy-smelling discharge and possibly a rash, painful intercourse, or odor after intercourse
  • Trichomoniasis -- a sexually transmitted disease
  • Vaginal yeast infection

  Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

  • Atrophic vaginitis (associated with lack of estrogen)
• What the risks are

  There are no risks associated with this test.

• Special considerations

  For information on treatment and prevention, please see the article on vaginitis.

• References

  Eckert LO, Lentz GM. Infections of the lower genital tract: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap. 22.

Review Date: 11/16/2009

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.