Vaginal Microbiome Test
What is a vaginal microbiome test?
A healthy vaginal environment is usually dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria, which keep the pH low and make it hard for other organisms to take hold. When that balance shifts, other bacteria move in — and the result can be discharge, odour, irritation or recurrent symptoms that keep returning after treatment.
The difficulty is that bacterial vaginosis, thrush and several STIs produce overlapping symptoms, and treating the wrong one is why symptoms so often come back. This test identifies organisms by their DNA rather than by culture, so you get names and amounts rather than a guess.
It's particularly useful for recurrent thrush, because it identifies which Candida species is present. Some species respond poorly to the usual first-line treatment, which is a common reason thrush keeps returning.
Worth considering if you have:
- Discharge, odour or irritation that keeps coming back after treatment
- Recurrent thrush, or thrush that hasn't responded to standard treatment
- Symptoms that started after antibiotics, a new partner, or a change in contraception
- Been treated repeatedly without anyone identifying what's actually there
What your results look like
You'll receive a clear digital report in your i-screen dashboard within seven days. It shows your Lactobacillus species and how dominant they are, the organisms associated with imbalance and how much of each is present, any Candida species named individually, and any STI results.
If an STI is detected, that result needs prompt treatment from a doctor, and current and recent partners will need testing too. Several of these infections are notifiable, which means the laboratory is required by law to report them to public health authorities — standard for any accredited pathology lab in Australia.
Carrying an organism isn't always the same as having an infection. Many of these bacteria live in the vagina at low levels without causing problems, which is why the report shows amounts and why it's meant to be read with a GP or sexual health clinician rather than acted on alone.
What's included
This panel assesses key markers of vaginal health, including vaginal pH, bacterial vaginosis, and aerobic vaginitis, to identify imbalances that may be causing symptoms. By analysing both protective and disruptive microorganisms, it provides a clear picture of inflammation, microbiome disruption, and infection risk. This helps guide targeted treatment to restore comfort and optimal vaginal balance.
Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, Mycoplasma genitalium, herpes, syphilis and two less common infections are all screened here by PCR. Most cause no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know - and when symptoms do show up, they look much the same as bacterial vaginosis or thrush.
Opportunistic microbes can take advantage of changes in the vaginal environment, such as a decrease in acidity, to multiply and cause infections. These bacteria are normally present in small numbers in the vagina but can become problematic when their population increases. Some of the most common opportunistic bacteria of the vagina include Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Prevotella species. They can cause bacterial vaginosis, a condition characterised by an abnormal vaginal discharge and odor.
Fungal pathogens can cause infections in the vagina when the immune system is weakened or the vaginal microbiome is disrupted. Examples of fungal pathogens that can cause vaginal infections include Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. These fungi normally live harmlessly in the vagina, but when there is an overgrowth, it can lead to symptoms such as itching, burning, and a thick, white discharge.
Beneficial bacteria play an important role in maintaining vaginal health. Lactobacillus species, in particular, are the most commonly found beneficial bacteria in the vaginal microbiota. These bacteria produce lactic acid, which helps to maintain an acidic pH in the vagina, preventing overgrowth of harmful bacteria and maintaining a healthy bacterial balance.
Test instructions
Your test kit and all instructions are posted directly to you, and there is no need to visit a collection centre.
Mail your sample(s) back to the lab using the prepaid envelope and packaging provided.
Results for this test available in 7 days and will be published in your online dashboard.
Some infections in this panel are notifiable conditions - positive results will be reported to the relevant public health authority by the laboratory as required by law, and you may be contacted by a public health unit for follow-up.
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Common Questions
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