Vaginal Culture with Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (Qualitative and Quantitative)

This test is done to find out whether bacteria are present in a sample taken from your body. Detecting bacteria helps your doctor diagnose infections such as urinary tract, wound, throat, or bloodstream infections, so the most effective antibiotic treatment can be chosen for you.

Your healthcare provider may order a vaginal culture if you have symptoms like unusual discharge, itching, burning, or odor. It can also be done during routine check-ups, especially if you’re at higher risk for infections (e.g., sexually active, pregnant, or with recurrent infections).

Before the test, your healthcare provider will explain where the sample will be collected from, such as urine, blood, a throat swab, or a wound. You may be asked to pause certain antibiotics beforehand and to follow instructions for cleansing the skin or collecting the sample correctly.

No special preparation is needed. You may shower or clean your vaginal area gently before the test, but avoid using douches, vaginal creams, or tampons 24 hours beforehand to ensure accurate results.

During the test, a small sample is collected from the affected area and sent to a laboratory. The sample is placed in conditions that encourage bacteria to grow, allowing laboratory staff to identify any bacteria present and determine which antibiotics are likely to work best against them.

A healthcare provider collects a sample by swabbing the inside of your vagina. The swab is then sent to a lab to grow bacteria and identify any present. Some tests may also check how different antibiotics affect these bacteria.

Your results will show whether bacteria were found in the sample. A positive result usually means a bacterial infection that may require antibiotic treatment, while a negative result suggests no bacteria were detected. Your doctor will review the findings together with your symptoms to plan your care.

Results show the types of bacteria found (e.g., *Candida*, *Gardnerella*, or *Bacteroides*). If bacteria are detected, the lab may also indicate which antibiotics are most effective against them. Normal results mean no harmful bacteria were found.