The article reviews literature data on the history of research into the microflora of the genital tract, as well as current views about the vaginal microbiota. Definitions of the vaginal microflora in norm and diseases, such as bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis are presented. Data on main methods of laboratory diagnostics used for the investigation of the vaginal microbiocenosis are summarized. It was concluded that there is a need in further optimization and standardization of the current methods for evaluation of the vaginal biotope.