Vaginal microbial complaints like thrush and BV are becoming more and more prevalent. When there is chronic or recurring thrush or bacterial vaginosis it is worthwhile completing a vaginal microbiome screen to see what is driving the issue.
When might you use a vaginal microbiome test?
Vaginal microbiome testing is a diagnostic tool we use here at Shift to help us best treat our patient’s vaginal health complaints. Similar in ways to the complex microbiomes in our guts and on our skin, we also have a complex vaginal microbiome. There are many different health conditions that can arise from vaginal dysbiosis.
Some of the symptoms and conditions where we may order this testing include endometriosis or adenomyosis, frequent urinary tract infections, history of abnormal pap smear, vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse, preparation for a healthy pregnancy, recurring thrush or bacterial vaginosis-like symptoms including abnormal vaginal discharge, vulval itching or burning, strong smelling discharge or odours from the vagina.
Completing a Vaginal Microbiome test allows your practitioner to provide a more tailored treatment as there are many different ways dysbiosis can present and different types of opportunistic bacterial and fungal pathogens that can cause similar symptoms for women. Each requires a different kind of treatment to be most effective.
What does it tell us specifically?
Vaginal microbiome testing informs us about the following;
- The vaginal PH
- Opportunistic bacteria
- Opportunistic fungal pathogens
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Beneficial bacteria
- Bacterial vaginosis positive or negative
- Thrush/vaginal candidiasis positive or negative
How is Vaginal Microbiome testing different from a pap smear?
Pap smears look for abnormal/precancerous or cancerous cervical cells and the presence of Human papillomavirus (HPV) to assess your risk for cervical cancer.
How is Vaginal Microbiome testing different from a vaginal swab from my GP?
A vaginal swab from your GP can identify some bacterial and fungal pathogens but it is not as comprehensive. It doesn’t test for beneficial lactobacillus strains, vaginal PH, or STI’s (tested separately).
What does the process entail?
Your Shift practitioner can order your test online for you and have the test kit delivered to your home address. You can then collect a vaginal swab sample in the comfort and privacy of your own home. You drop the sample off at your local post office to be sent back to the lab for analysis. Your results are then sent to your practitioner within five-fourteen business days. This then will determine what treatment will be best.
