Bacterial Vaginosis - Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by examining a wet smear under microscope or by culture. A sample of vaginal fluid is seen under a microscope either by staining or under a special lighting, to look for bacteria associated with Bacterial vaginosis.

Vaginosis is diagnosed if any three of the following conditions are present:

A clear background.
Absence of lactobacilli.
Presence of numerous "clue cells" (bacteria’s that adhere to the squamous epithelial cells that line the vagina giving them a fuzzy border, hence called clue cells).
Presence of Gardnerella bacteria under the microscope.

Characteristic Vaginal discharge

A characteristic fishy odor when a drop of vaginal discharge is mixed with a drop of 10% potassium hydroxide.

Amine Test:

Shows raised vaginal pH when a narrow range indicator paper is used.(3)

References:

The Etiology of Bacterial Vaginosis - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072448/)
What is Bacterial Vaginosis? - (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184622.php)
Bacterial Vaginosis - (https://www.ijcmas.com/vol-4-6/Anahita%20Bhesania%20Hodiwala%20and%20Anuradha%20Koli.pdf)
Bacterial Vaginosis - CDC Fact Sheet - (https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm)
Bacterial Vaginosis as a Mixed Infection - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2495/)
Overview of Bacterial Vaginosis - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279)
What You Need To Know About Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - (https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/what-is-bacterial-vaginosis#2)

Published on Mar 14, 2013
Last Updated on Nov 30, 2019

guest Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Upon entering the Menopause stage, I found myself with reoccuring Bacterial Vaginosis. I took antibotics for over a years off and on and it still came back. Then I remembered that years ago a doctor recommended Betidine douche for a bacterial infection. I HIGHLY recommend you try it.