A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina 
Vaginitis is often caused by an infection, but it may also be caused by a reaction to vaginal products such as soap, bath oils, spermicidal jelly, or douches. Vaginitis may cause symptoms such as vaginal itching, pain, or discharge.
Infections that can cause vaginitis are common and include:
A vaginal sample may be tested by:
A vaginal wet mount is done to find the cause of vaginal itching, burning, rash, odor, or discharge.
Do not douche, use tampons, or use vaginal medicines for 24 hours before the test.
A vaginal wet mount is not done during your menstrual period. Menstrual blood on the slide can change the results.
If you are or might be pregnant, tell your doctor before the vaginal wet mount is done.
You will take off your clothes below the waist and drape a gown around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your doctor to look at the genital area.
Your doctor will put a smooth, curved speculum into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, which allows your doctor to see the inside of the vagina and the cervix.
Samples of fluid inside the vagina are taken with a swab or spatula. The sample is put on a slide for testing.
You may feel some discomfort when the speculum is inserted, especially if your vagina is irritated and tender. There may be a small amount of bleeding after this test.
There are no problems from collecting a sample of vaginal secretions.
A vaginal wet mount (sometimes called a vaginal smear) is a test to find the cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina and the area around the vagina (vulva). Your doctor may talk to you about the results after the test. If the sample needs to be looked at by a lab, the results may be ready in 1 to 2 days.
| Normal: | No abnormal vaginal discharge is present. A small amount of discharge is normal. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abnormal: | A white, lumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese may mean a vaginal yeast infection is present. A yellow-green, foamy discharge that has a bad odor may mean trichomoniasis is present. A thin, gray-white vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odor may mean bacterial vaginosis is present.
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S.N. | Enzymes | Hormones |
| 1. | Mostly enzymes perform reactions at the place of origin i.e. in cells where they are produced. | Hormones perform activity at some distance away from the site of origin. |
| 2. | Enzymes are biological catalyst. They catalyze the biological reactions. | Hormones are not catalyst. They simply initiate biochemical reactions. |
| 3. | All enzymes are generally proteins. There are some exceptions like ribozymes (RNA with catalytic activity). | The hormones may be polypeptides, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics compounds or amines. |
| 4. | Enzymes are not translocate from one part to another part of cell. | Most of the hormones show polar translocation. |
| 5. | As enzymes are catalyst, at the end of reaction they remain unchanged and can be reutilized. | As hormones are not catalyst, they participate in biological reaction and their chemical composition is changed and cannot be reutilized as such. |
| 6. | They are macromolecules with higher molecular weight. | They have only low molecular weight. |
| 7. | They are non-diffusible through cell membrane. | They are diffusible through cell membrane. |
| 8. | They either act intracellularly or carried by some ducts to another site. | Generally carried by blood to a target organ. |
| 9. | It increases the rate of metabolic physiological processes. | They may be either excitatory or inhibitory in their action. |
| 10. | They catalyze reversible reactions. | Hormone controlled reactions are not reversible. |
| 11. | Reaction rate increases with increase in their concentration up to a limit. | Deficiency or overproduction of hormone causes metabolic disorders or diseases. |
| 12. | They act quickly. | Some hormones are quick acting, while some are slow acting with a lag period. |
| 13. | They are not used in metabolic functions. | They are used up in metabolic functions. |
| 14. | They cannot regulate morphogenesis. | Generally regulate morphogenesis, especially secondary sex character. |
| 15. | Examples:
– Oxidoreductases
– Transferases
– Hydrolases
| Examples:
– Insulin,
– Glucagon,
– T3, T4,
|
