When and how should I test a non-pregnant woman for bacterial vaginosis?
• Examination and further tests may be omitted and empirical treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) started in women with characteristic symptoms of BV if all the following apply: • The woman is not at high risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). • Women are at increased risk of an STI if they are younger than 25 years of age, or have had a new sexual partner in the last 12 months, or more than one sexual partner in the last 12 months. • The woman does not have symptoms of other conditions causing vaginal discharge (for example itch, abdominal pain, abnormal bleeding, dyspareunia, or fever). • The woman is not post-natal, post-miscarriage, or post-termination. • Symptoms have not developed after a gynaecological procedure. • Symptoms have not recurred soon after treatment for BV or persisted following treatment for BV. • The woman is not pregnant (see When and how to test pregnant women). • If empirical treatment is not considered appropriate, or if the diagnosis is uncertain:
