BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEndocervical cultureVaginal culture; Female genital tract culture; Culture - cervixEndocervical culture is a laboratory test that helps identify infection in the female genital tract. How the Test is Performed During a vaginal examination, the health care provider uses a swab to take samples of mucus and cells from the endocervix. This is the area around the opening of the uterus. The samples are sent to a lab. There, they are placed in a special dish (culture). They are then watched to see if bacteria, virus, or fungus grow. Further tests may be done to identify the specific organism and determine the best treatment. How to Prepare for the Test In the 2 days before the procedure: Do not use creams or other medicines in the vagina. Do not douche. (You should never douche. Douching can cause infection of the vagina or uterus.) Avoid intercourse. Empty your bladder and bowel. At your provider's office, follow instructions for preparing for the vaginal exam. How the Test will Feel You will feel some pressure from the speculum. This is an instrument inserted into the vagina to hold the area open so that the provider can view the cervix and collect the samples. There may be a slight cramping when the swab touches the cervix.CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Why the Test is Performed The test may be done to determine the cause of vaginitis, pelvic pain, an unusual vaginal discharge, or other signs of infection.VaginitisVaginitis is a swelling or infection of the vulva and vagina. It may also be called vulvovaginitis. Vaginitis is a common problem that can affect wo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal dischargeVaginal discharge refers to secretions from the vagina. The discharge may be:Thick, pasty, or thinClear, cloudy, bloody, white, yellow, or greenOdor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Organisms that are usually present in the vagina are there in the expected amounts. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results indicate the presence of an infection in the genital tract or urinary tract in women, such as:Genital herpes Genital herpesGenital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This article focuses on HSV type 2 infection....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic swelling and irritation of the urethra (urethritis) UrethritisUrethritis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There may be slight bleeding or spotting after the test. This is normal.Open ReferencesReferencesEckert LO, Lentz GM. Genital tract infections: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, endometritis, and salpingitis. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.Swygard H, Cohen MS. Approach to the patient with a sexually transmitted infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 264.AllVideoImagesTogFemale reproductive anatomy - illustration Internal structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. External structures include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris.Female reproductive anatomyillustrationUterus - illustration The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth. UterusillustrationFemale reproductive anatomy - illustration Internal structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. External structures include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris.Female reproductive anatomyillustrationUterus - illustration The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth. Uterusillustration Tests for Endocervical culture Endocervical cultureRelated Information Vaginal dryness(Condition)Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent(Symptoms)Chlamydia(Condition)Strep throat(Condition)Chlamydia infections in women(Condition)Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)(Condition)Herpes simplex - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 8/23/2023 Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Endocervical cultureVaginal culture; Female genital tract culture; Culture - cervixEndocervical culture is a laboratory test that helps identify infection in the female genital tract. How the Test is Performed During a vaginal examination, the health care provider uses a swab to take samples of mucus and cells from the endocervix. This is the area around the opening of the uterus. The samples are sent to a lab. There, they are placed in a special dish (culture). They are then watched to see if bacteria, virus, or fungus grow. Further tests may be done to identify the specific organism and determine the best treatment. How to Prepare for the Test In the 2 days before the procedure: Do not use creams or other medicines in the vagina. Do not douche. (You should never douche. Douching can cause infection of the vagina or uterus.) Avoid intercourse. Empty your bladder and bowel. At your provider's office, follow instructions for preparing for the vaginal exam. How the Test will Feel You will feel some pressure from the speculum. This is an instrument inserted into the vagina to hold the area open so that the provider can view the cervix and collect the samples. There may be a slight cramping when the swab touches the cervix.CervixThe cervix is the lower end of the womb (uterus). It is at the top of the vagina. It is about 2. 5 to 3. 5 centimeters (1 to 1. 3 inches) long. Th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Why the Test is Performed The test may be done to determine the cause of vaginitis, pelvic pain, an unusual vaginal discharge, or other signs of infection.VaginitisVaginitis is a swelling or infection of the vulva and vagina. It may also be called vulvovaginitis. Vaginitis is a common problem that can affect wo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vaginal dischargeVaginal discharge refers to secretions from the vagina. The discharge may be:Thick, pasty, or thinClear, cloudy, bloody, white, yellow, or greenOdor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Organisms that are usually present in the vagina are there in the expected amounts. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results indicate the presence of an infection in the genital tract or urinary tract in women, such as:Genital herpes Genital herpesGenital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This article focuses on HSV type 2 infection....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic swelling and irritation of the urethra (urethritis) UrethritisUrethritis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There may be slight bleeding or spotting after the test. This is normal.Open ReferencesReferencesEckert LO, Lentz GM. Genital tract infections: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, endometritis, and salpingitis. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.Swygard H, Cohen MS. Approach to the patient with a sexually transmitted infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 264.