Vaginitis test - wet mount

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Female reproductive anatomy

The wet mount vaginitis test

Vaginitis test - wet mount

Definition:

This is a test for vaginitis (an infection of the vagina that does not include the urinary tract). The symptoms may include itching, pain, vaginal odor, and a vaginal discharge.

Alternative Names:

Wet prep

How the test is performed:

You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet in the stirrups. A pelvic examination will be done, and a speculum (an instrument used to keep the vagina open in order to examine the interior) will be inserted into your vagina and opened slightly.

A sterile, moist cotton swab is inserted, and a sample of the discharge is taken. The swab is removed and then the speculum. Slides are prepared, one with a salt solution and one with a potassium hydroxide solution, then viewed under a microscope.

How to prepare for the test:

Do not douche for 24-hours before the test.

For infants and children:

The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following:

Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

There may be a slight discomfort with the pelvic examination.

Why the test is performed:

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

Review Date: 5/11/2004
Reviewed By: Sharon Roseanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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