Test spotting for bacterial vaginosis would involve the taking of fluid from the vagina for laboratory testing to see if there is any kind of infection, irritation, pain, or abnormal discharge. To prepare for the test, do not use any vaginal medicines, have sex, or douche the area 24 hours prior to the testing. Doing so would make the results unreliable.
We have enumerated a few methods on how to test spotting to see if you have bacterial vaginosis which can be done with the aid of a medical expert. The doctor usually inserts a speculum in the vagina to check the area and the cervix. A little discomfort may be felt especially if the vagina is irritated. A sample of discharge is taken and is brought for testing.
Here are a few ways to test for the presence of bacterial vaginosis:
1. Wet mount
In this process, vaginal discharge is taken for sample and is checked for any white blood cells, bacteria, or any unusual cells (clue cells) are found. If the discharge has clue cells present, there is a possibility that you have bacterial vaginosis.
2. Whiff test
In a whiff test, a sample of vaginal discharge is tested to see if a strong odor is released once a special solution is combined to the sample. The smell is usually a fishy odor, and if this is present, you may have bacterial vaginosis.
3. Vaginal pH
Through testing the pH level of your vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis can be found out. Usually, bacterial vaginosis causes the pH level to become higher than the normal level. A sample discharge is taken and is tested to check the pH balance through a pH paper. A person with bacterial vaginosis typically has a more acidic pH level, due to the overgrowth of bacteria. Also, once an acidic solution is dropped to test the pH, a sample with bacterial vaginosis would produce a fishy smell.
4. Oligonucleotide probe
In this type of test, a sample of vaginal discharge is taken for testing of the DNA of bacteria that usually causes bacterial vaginosis. Practitioners rarely use this test.
Now that you know a few procedures on how to test spotting to see if you have bacterial vaginosis, here we have summarized the information to help you know whether you have bacterial vaginosis or not:
In a normal vaginal discharge, a wet mount would not have any clue cells or excessive bad bacteria present that would cause bacterial vaginosis. Also, the vaginal pH level is normal, under the range of 3.8 to 4.5 and there is no fishy odor once a solution is added to a discharge sample.
An abnormal vaginal discharge would have grayish white and thin properties, and the wet mount would contain clue cells or excessive bacteria, or both. Another indicator would be a vaginal pH level higher than 4.5, and a fishy odor.
When you suspect there is an imbalance or any unnatural characteristics in your vaginal discharge, be sure to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
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