Frequently Asked Questions

This Vaginal Microbiome Test is only to be used by women aged 18 or over. 

Our Vaginal Microbiome Test uses a low vaginal swab and is therefore safe for pregnant women.

We use a qPCR technology called Precision Microbiome Profiling (PMP™). PMP™ is a proprietary technology relying on highly parallelised singleplex qPCR-based designed for microbiome analysis. This testing methodology offers high sensitivity, quantitative accuracy, speed and reliability, while uniquely enabling the detection of 50+ distinct microbial taxa. In addition to returning accurate microbiome profiles, PMP™ offers absolute quantification of each targeted microorganism, alongside quantification for the overall bacterial load in a specimen.

The PMP™ methodology is highly sensitive, accurate and precise, whilst being cost effective and quick to produce results. Our selected methodology also:

• Enables the absolute quantification of vaginal microbes
• Reports the overall vaginal bacterial load
• Reliably groups microbes to the species level
• Is not affected by human DNA contamination

Please refer to our Vaginal Microbiome Testing Service - Privacy Policy for more information about how end user and healthcare provider data is kept safe. 

The Vaginal Microbiome Test vaginal swab is stable for 4 weeks from the date of collection. This means it must reach our lab within 4 weeks of being taken. This is why we recommend that the sample is returned as soon as possible and within 2 weeks of taking the test. 

We endeavour to dispatch your Vaginal Microbiome Test within 24 hours of the order being place. It will be dispatched using our Standard Delivery method (Royal Mail Tracked 48 hrs). For more information about Shipping & Returns click here. 

The sample must be taken and returned to us within 6 months of receipt of the Vaginal Microbiome Test kit. 

Patients should follow the guidance provided in the Sample Collection Instructions. Please note that each test must be activated using the QR code (found on the inside panel of the test box). If certain information is not provided, we won’t be able to process the sample. Once the test activation has been completed, the sample should be returned to our lab using the pre-paid shipping envelope provided.

Results will be emailed to the email address provided when you purchased the test.

Patients should follow the guidance provided in the Sample Collection Instructions provided in the Vaginal Microbiome Test kit. The instructions explain how to insert the swab and for how long. Patients should not let the swab or plastic applicator come into contact with fingers, skin or other objects.

Patients should be advised to take the test when they are most symptomatic. If not symptomatic, patients should follow the Sample Collection Instructions included in the test kit, avoiding their period.

Patients should perform the vaginal swab first followed by the pH test. 

All medications should be continued as prescribed. Patients should avoid sample collection whilst taking a short course of antibiotics or anti-fungals. Patients should wait two weeks after completing antibiotic or anti-fungal treatment before conducting the sample to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. If patients are on long-term antibiotics and anti-fungals they should continue these.

The sample cannot be taken during a menstrual period. Period blood may impact reporting accuracy. Patients should take the sample once their period has finished.

Patients should avoid using tampons for 48 hours before sample collection in order to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome.

Patients should avoid using vaginal creams, gels and suppositories for 48 hours before sample collection in order to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. If this is not possible the patient can notify us in the online test activation and results can be considered accordingly.

Patients should avoid using vaginal oestrogen for 48 hours before sample collection in order to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. If this is not possible the patient can notify us in the online test activation and results can be considered accordingly.

Patients should avoid taking probiotics for 48 hours prior to collecting the sample in order to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. If this is not possible the patient can notify us in the online test activation and results can be considered accordingly.

Patients should avoid sexual intercourse for the 48 hours before collecting the sample.

For further support or any queries about the Vaginal Microbiome Test, please email us at test@pelvicrelief.co.uk