Vaginitis test - wet mount

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Female reproductive anatomy

Pap smear

The wet mount vaginitis test

Uterus

Wet prep

A normal value occurs when there is no indication of an infection.

Abnormal results indicate infection, and the most common infections are caused by one of these sources, or a combination:

• A vaginal yeast infection (caused by Candida albicans) -- resulting in a white, cheesy discharge; severe itching; painful intercourse; and a rash or vaginal inflammation.
• Trichomoniasis , an infection caused by a protozoan parasite -- produces a yellowish, frothy, foul-smelling discharge. Sores can develop on the cervix . There may be pain on urination or intercourse.
• A bacterial infection (gardnerella vaginalis or haemophilus vaginalis) -- producing bacterial vaginosis. The symptoms are a heavy, white, fishy-smelling discharge. There may be a rash or painful intercourse, or odor after intercourse.

Different treatments are necessary for each type of infection. Of the above infections, only Trichimoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Atrophic vaginitis (associated with lack of estrogen)

Review Date: 05/15/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.