Vaginal Wet Mount

Wet Mount, Vaginal

Results

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). Your doctor may talk to you about the results after the test. If the sample needs to be looked at by a lab, the results may be ready in 1 to 2 days.

Vaginal discharge

Normal:	No abnormal vaginal discharge is present. A small amount of discharge is normal.
Abnormal:	A white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese may mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. A yellow-green, foamy discharge that has a bad odour may mean trichomoniasis is present. A thin, grey-white vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odour may mean bacterial vaginosis is present. If many Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria are present, this also may mean bacterial vaginosis is present.

 

Wet mount

Normal:	No yeast, bacteria, trichomoniasis, or clue cells are found on the slide. White blood cells are not present or very low in number.
Abnormal:	High numbers of white blood cells often mean a vaginal infection. Yeast cells found on the wet mount mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. Trichomonads on the wet mount mean trichomoniasis is present. Clue cells means bacterial vaginosis is present.

 

KOH slide

Normal:	No yeast is found.
Abnormal:	Yeast cells means a yeast infection is present.

 

Vaginal pH

Normal:	Vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5.
Abnormal:	Vaginal pH is higher than 4.5.

 

Whiff test

Normal:	Adding potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to vaginal discharge does not cause a fishy odour.
Abnormal:	A fishy odour made by the whiff test may mean bacterial vaginosis is present.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Carrie Henley Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 26, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.