Endocervical Culture

An endocervical culture may be ordered for women with the following symptoms:

• dyspareunia, which is pain with intercourse
• fever
• foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• itching or burning of the vagina or vulva
• low back pain
• painful urination
• pelvic pain
• vaginal bleeding after intercourse or exercise

The healthcare professional takes an endocervical smear during a pelvic examination. First, the examiner places a speculum within the vagina. This instrument enlarges the opening of the vagina and allows the provider see the cervix and vagina.

Then, the examiner places a dry, sterile swab within the small opening of the cervix. The swab may be left in place for several seconds to absorb cells. The swab is sent to a laboratory. It is evaluated by a rapid antigen or DNA test for a specific kind of bacteria (e.g. chlamydia) or grown in special media that show the presence of any abnormal bacteria or viruses.

Women should not douche for 24 hours before the test.

An endocervical culture may show any of the following conditions:

• cervicitis, or an inflammation of the cervix
• a sexually transmitted infection, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and human papilloma virus infections