A vaginal swab is a medical procedure that allows doctors to take a small sample from the inside of a woman vagina. This sample consists of small cells that physicians can examine under an instrument known as a microscope. By looking at these cells, doctors can look for any infections or health issues that may be present.
Vaginal swab tests play a significant role in women's health care. They can aid in detecting various types of infections. Some of those infections are bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections and sexually transmitted infections, often referred to as STIs. Some STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Inappropriate treatment is very painful, uncomfortable and can lead to life threatening complication.
Vaginal swabs can also detect abnormal cells that may indicate cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix, which is part of a woman's reproductive system. Early detection of cervical cancer is vital because it offers women a higher likelihood of receiving effective treatment and maintaining their health.
A pelvic exam, which is a special medical exam in which vaginal swabs are taken. This exam tests a woman’s sexual organs to ensure everything is healthy. At the start of the pelvic exam, the doctor will use a small cotton swab — similar to a long Q-tip — to take a sample of cells inside the vagina.
The vaginal swab takes a very short time to do and is painless. It usually takes just a few seconds. It may be a little uncomfortable or weird, but it's a very simple and important test that provides health care providers with a lot of information regarding a woman's reproductive health.
In this setting, the doctor will assist the woman in sitting and lying down comfortably on an exam table for the pelvic exam. The woman will lie back and place her feet in devices known as stirrups. You may be thinking this may seem a little uncomfortable at first but this is an essential part of the exam to make it easier for the doctor to do their job.
If the test results are abnormal, though, that could mean an infection or abnormal cells are present and further testing (and possibly treatment) is necessary. If an infection is discovered, a healthcare professional might prescribe medicine, such as antibiotics or antifungal creams, to help rid the body of the infection. If abnormal cells were found, additional tests — like a pap smear or colposcopy — could be suggested, to find out more about the situation.
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