Diagnosis
A healthcare provider can examine a sample of vaginal fluid under a microscope, either stained or in special lighting, to look for bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Then, they can diagnose BV based on
- Absence of lactobacilli bacteria
- Presence of numerous “clue cells” (cells from the vaginal lining that are coated with BV germs)
- Fishy odor
- Change from normal vaginal fluid