How can one tell whether they have BV?
Biological vaginosis can only be identified by a medical professional. If you notice symptoms of BV, make an appointment with a practitioner. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history, including any history of STIs or vaginal infections, when you arrive for your appointment. They could also
- Perform a pelvic exam: Your doctor will stick gloved fingers inside your vagina to check for infection-related symptoms, such as an increase in discharge or discharge that is white or gray in color and smells bad.
- Take a sample of vaginal discharge: Your healthcare professional will place a speculum into your vagina to collect a sample of your vaginal discharge. They will next take a sample of fluid from your vagina using a swab. Your doctor will send the fluid to the lab to see what types of bacteria are in it.
Tests for bacterial vaginosis involve the use of samples of fluid from your vagina. There are several tests that can be done with the sample to check for bacterial vaginosis. The most common are:
- Wet mount: This involves looking at your glvaginal discharge on a glass slide under a microscope.
- Whiff test: Your doctor smells your vaginal discharge for a fish-like odor.
- Vaginal pH [4]: This test helps measure how acidic your discharge is. A higher pH may indicate BV.