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What Is a Vaginal Swab?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

The term "vaginal swab" is usually used to indicate a type of test performed on a woman's genitals. To perform this test, a medical professional uses a cotton swab to collect a small amount of fluid from the inside of the vagina. From this, he or she can determine whether a woman has certain types of infections or check for the presence of foreign organisms. Once the swab is complete, it is usually sealed inside a collection container for a lab's analysis.

A vaginal swab is usually used in gynecological diagnostic procedures. A doctor or other health care professional may use one to investigate a possible sexually transmitted disease (STD), for example. This type of test is also used to analyze the organisms that are present inside the vagina. For example, a woman may have harmless or harmful bacteria in her vagina, and this test makes it possible to identify them. Often, it is also useful in identifying the presence of fungal organisms in the vagina, such as when a woman has a yeast infection.

Once the sample is obtained from the genitals, it is sealed and sent to a lab.
Once the sample is obtained from the genitals, it is sealed and sent to a lab.

To take a swab, a healthcare professional usually starts off with clean, gloved hands. With the patient in position for the test, which usually means on an exam table with her legs in stirrups, a medical professional uses a device called a speculum to gently part the walls of the patient's vagina. This allows him or her to see inside the vagina, if necessary, and also makes it easier to complete the test.

In order to take a vaginal swab the patient's vaginal canal must be held open using a speculum.
In order to take a vaginal swab the patient's vaginal canal must be held open using a speculum.

When the speculum is in place and the medical professional is ready to perform the vaginal swab, he or she removes a swab from the sealed container in which it has been kept sterile. He or she then gently wipes the walls of the vagina in order to get a sample of the fluid found there, and places the swab in a small tube. This tube is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

A small amount of fluid is collected from a woman's vagina during a vaginal swab.
A small amount of fluid is collected from a woman's vagina during a vaginal swab.

There are a number of conditions for which a medical professional may test with a vaginal swab. For example, a doctor may test for bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis using this type of test. He can also check for an overabundance of yeast, which may mean a woman has a yeast infection. Likewise, the medical professional might even use a swab to detect the presence of harmless bacteria in the vagina.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Once the sample is obtained from the genitals, it is sealed and sent to a lab.
      By: Sven Bähren
      Once the sample is obtained from the genitals, it is sealed and sent to a lab.
    • In order to take a vaginal swab the patient's vaginal canal must be held open using a speculum.
      By: Stefan Gräf
      In order to take a vaginal swab the patient's vaginal canal must be held open using a speculum.
    • A small amount of fluid is collected from a woman's vagina during a vaginal swab.
      By: isyste
      A small amount of fluid is collected from a woman's vagina during a vaginal swab.
    • A doctor may use a vaginal swab to test for bacterial vaginosis, which is more likely to occur in women who have multiple sexual partners.
      By: Peter Atkins
      A doctor may use a vaginal swab to test for bacterial vaginosis, which is more likely to occur in women who have multiple sexual partners.
    • A vaginal  swab may be used during a gynecological diagnostic procedure.
      By: Dangubic
      A vaginal swab may be used during a gynecological diagnostic procedure.