Vaginal wet Mount

A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina (vulva).

Vaginitis is often caused by an infection, but it may also be caused by a reaction to vaginal products such as soap, bath oils, spermicidal jelly, or douches. Vaginitis may cause symptoms such as vaginal itching, pain, or discharge.

Infections that can cause vaginitis are common and include:

    Yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. A yeast infection is also called a candida infection, or candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection often causes itching and a white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. It also causes pain with sexual intercourse. A yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
    Trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is a disease caused by a parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis). It is sometimes called trichomonas infection, trichomonal infection, or simply trich (say "trick"). Trichomoniasis causes a vaginal discharge that is yellow-green, foamy, and bad-smelling. Pain with sex or urination may be present. Lower belly pain may also be present. Trichomoniasis is spread by sexual contact and is an STD.
    Bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is a change in the balance of bacteria that are normally present in the vagina. The vaginal discharge is thin and milky with a strong fishy odor. Many women have no symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD.
    Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Infections such as chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, herpes simplex, and gonorrhea can also affect the vagina. These diseases are found by doing other tests.

A vaginal sample may be tested by:

    Wet mount. A sample of the vaginal discharge is placed on a glass slide and mixed with a salt solution. The slide is looked at under a microscope for bacteria, yeast cells, trichomoniasis (trichomonads), white blood cells that show an infection, or clue cells that show bacterial vaginosis.
    KOH slide. A sample of the vaginal discharge is placed on a slide and mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The KOH kills bacteria and cells from the vagina, leaving only yeast for a yeast infection.
    Vaginal pH. The normal vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5. Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and atrophic vaginitis often cause a vaginal pH higher than 4.5.
    Whiff test. Several drops of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution are added to a sample of the vaginal discharge. A strong fishy odor from the mix means bacterial vaginosis is present.

Why It Is Done

A vaginal wet mount is done to find the cause of vaginal itching, burning, rash, odor, or discharge.

How To Prepare

Do not douche, use tampons, or use vaginal medicines for 24 hours before the test.

A vaginal wet mount is not done during your menstrual period. Menstrual blood on the slide can change the results.

If you are or might be pregnant, tell your doctor before the vaginal wet mount is done.
How It Is Done

You will take off your clothes below the waist and drape a gown around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your doctor to look at the genital area.

Your doctor will put a smooth, curved 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.

Samples of fluid inside the vagina are taken with a swab or spatula. The sample is put on a slide for testing.
How It Feels

You may feel some discomfort when the speculum is inserted, especially if your vagina is irritated and tender. There may be a small amount of bleeding after this test.
Risks

There are no problems from collecting a sample of vaginal secretions.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

    Having your period.
    Using a vaginal medicine, such as a nonprescription vaginal yeast medicine, 2 to 3 days before this test.
    Having had sex within 24 hours before the test, which can affect the vaginal pH.

What To Think About

    Some causes of vaginitis are not found by a vaginal wet mount, including atrophic vaginitis and some STDs, such as herpes simplex. Atrophic vaginitis can be found on a vaginal smear when dye is added to the vaginal discharge on the slide. The slide is looked at under a microscope for cell changes that show atrophic vaginitis.
    Sometimes a sample of the vaginal discharge is put in a special cup to see if bacteria, yeast, or trichomonads will grow. This is called a vaginal culture.
    The sex partners of women with trichomoniasis are generally treated for the disease so they do not reinfect their partners after treatment. Some doctors recommend treating the sex partners of women with bacterial vaginosis, but most do not. Partners of women who have vaginal yeast infections are not generally treated for yeast infections. For more information, see the topic Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis.
    Infections such as chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, herpes simplex, and gonorrhea can also affect the vagina. For more information, see the topics Chlamydia Test, Syphilis Tests, Herpes Tests, Gonorrhea Tests, and Pap Test.
    A vaginal yeast infection can occur after a woman is treated with antibiotics or in a woman whose diabetes is poorly controlled. Recurring yeast infections may be seen when a woman's immune system is weakened. The immune system can be weakened by old age, diseases such as AIDS, or treatment for cancer.