Vaginal Swab Culture / Sensitivity Test in Kathmandu

About this test

When abnormal discharge, itching, soreness, or an unpleasant odour will not settle, this test goes a step beyond a simple wet-mount and grows whatever organism is actually living in the vaginal canal. A swab is taken from the vaginal wall (or cervix, if your doctor requests it), then cultured in the laboratory to identify bacteria and yeasts such as Candida, aerobic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Enterococcus, and to flag the disturbed flora seen in bacterial vaginosis. Crucially, once an organism grows we perform sensitivity testing — exposing it to a panel of antibiotics or antifungals so your gynaecologist can choose a drug that will genuinely work rather than guessing. Doctors order it for persistent or recurrent discharge, discharge that has failed empirical treatment, suspected infection in pregnancy, before some gynaecological procedures, and when symptoms keep returning despite over-the-counter creams. It is often read together with a high vaginal wet preparation, urine routine, and where relevant separate tests for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, which routine culture does not reliably detect. In Kathmandu, where self-medication with leftover antibiotics from a local pharmacy is common, culture and sensitivity is especially valuable: it cuts through the rising antibiotic resistance we increasingly see and steers you toward targeted treatment. Growth takes time, so the standard reporting window is around 72 hours. A result showing only normal flora is reassuring and means your symptoms likely have a non-infective cause worth discussing further with your doctor.

Sample type

Vaginal swab (high vaginal or endocervical)

Preparation

No fasting required. Avoid vaginal washes, douches, creams, pessaries, antifungal or antibiotic vaginal medication, and intercourse for 24–48 hours before the sample. Do not collect during heavy menstrual bleeding. Tell us if you have already started any antibiotics, as recent treatment can suppress growth and mask the true organism.

Turnaround time

Reports for Vaginal Swab Culture / Sensitivity are typically ready within: 72 Hours. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other microbiology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Vaginal Swab Culture / Sensitivity or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.