FAQs

Our 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. If you are pregnant, please see a healthcare professional to review your results.

All medications should be continued as per your doctor’s advice. If you are taking a short course of antibiotics or anti-fungals, we recommend waiting two weeks after completing these before conducting the sample to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. If you are on long-term antibiotics or anti-fungals, continue these as per the guidance of your doctor. If you have any specific medication questions, please email us at test@pelvicrelief.co.uk.

Avoid sexual intercourse for the 48 hours before collecting the sample to get a typical snapshot of the microbiome (seminal fluid contains its own microbiome).

Avoid using tampons for 48 hours before sample collection to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome. Please note our vaginal microbiome test cannot be taken during a menstrual bleed.

Avoid using vaginal creams, gels and suppositories for 48 hours before sample collection to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome, or please notify us if its use is unavoidable (this can be done via the online test activation).

Avoid using vaginal oestrogen for 48 hours before sample collection to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome, or please notify us if its use is unavoidable (this can be done via the online test activation).

Do not take probiotics for the 48 hours prior to collecting the sample to capture a typical snapshot of the microbiome, or please notify us if its use is unavoidable (this can be done via the online test activation).

The sample cannot be taken during a menstrual period. Period blood may impact reporting accuracy, so please take the sample once your period has finished.

If you are experiencing symptoms, take your sample when you are most symptomatic. If you are not symptomatic, please follow the Sample Collection Instructions included in your test kit, avoiding your period.

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 your personal information is kept safe. 

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

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

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 aim to make results available within 14 working days of the lab receiving a sample. 

Please perform the vaginal swab first followed by the pH test. We include detailed guidance on how to perform both tests in the Sample Collection Instructions provided in your Vaginal Microbiome Test kit. 

Note the pH result down on your instructions leaflet. You will then be asked to provide your pH reading when you activate your test by scanning the QR code on the inside of the test box using your phone.

Please 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. Do not let the swab or plastic applicator come into contact with fingers, skin or other objects.

If you suspect something has gone wrong, and the sample will be inaccurate, please email us at test@pelvicrelief.co.uk

Please follow guidance provided in the Sample Collection Instructions. Please note that your test must be activated using the QR code (found on the inside panel of your test box). If certain information is not provided, we won’t be able to process your sample. Once you have completed the test activation please send your sample back to our lab using the return envelope provided. 

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