Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis Tests

How It Is Done

You will take off your clothes below the waist. You will have a gown to drape around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This is similar to having a pelvic examination or Pap test.

Your doctor will put an instrument with curved blades (speculum) into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, allowing your doctor to see the inside of the vagina and the cervix. See an illustration of the vaginal speculum examination.

Samples of fluid inside the vagina are then collected with a swab or wooden stick.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 28, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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