The vaginal microbiome is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining women's reproductive health. It consists of a diverse array of microorganisms, including beneficial lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid and maintain a low pH to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. However, disruptions in the vaginal microbiome can lead to various infections and diseases, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
Factors that can affect the vaginal microbiome include sexual activity, hormonal changes, and the use of certain medications. Maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome is essential for women's overall well-being and can be achieved through proper hygiene, healthy lifestyle habits, and targeted treatments when necessary.
What we test
Vaginal pH
Maintaining a slightly acidic vaginal pH is crucial for vaginal health as it helps to keep harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses at bay. A high pH can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria, leading to infections such as bacterial vaginosis, while a low pH can cause irritation and inflammation of vaginal tissues.
Vaginal pH can be elevated with infection, blood, semen, vaginal medications, and use of certain soaps and douches. An elevated pH is also associated with low oestrogen.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Some of the most common vaginal STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms of vaginal STIs can vary, but may include abnormal vaginal discharge, itching or burning sensations, pain during sex or urination, and sores or lesions on the genitals.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that may cause a yellowy green, ‘frothy’ discharge that is often accompanied by an unpleasant odour and vaginal or vulval itching.
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmissible infection. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can lead to chronic pain and infertility.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to long-term health concerns and, in some cases, infertility.
HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2.
HSV-2 can cause genital herpes - symptoms can include sores around the genitals or rectum.
Opportunistic Bacteria
Opportunistic bacteria 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.
E. faecalis is commonly found in the gut. In some cases E. faecalis can overgrow in the vagina and cause an infection, leading to symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
E. coli is commonly found in the intestines. However if E. coli migrates to the vaginal area, it can cause an infection known as E. coli vaginitis. Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
K. pneumoniae is commonly found in the gut. In some cases K. pneumoniae can overgrow in the vagina and cause an infection, leading to symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
P. mirabilis is commonly found in the gut. In some cases P. mirabilis can overgrow in the vagina and cause an infection, leading to symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
While P. aeruginosa is not a typical inhabitant of the vagina, it can occasionally cause an infection. P. aeruginosa vaginal infections can occur in women who are immunocompromised or have undergone certain medical procedures. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS)is a frequent cause of bacterial infections in newborns which they can acquire from their mothers during delivery.In pregnant women, GBS can sometimes cause an infection in the vagina, leading to symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
S. aureus vaginal infections are rare, but can occur in women who are immunocompromised or have undergone certain medical procedures. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
Gardnerella vaginalis is part of the normal vaginal microbiota, but in some cases it can overgrow and cause an infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV) with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, odour, itching, and pain during sex or urination.
Atopobium vaginae is part of the normal vaginal microbiota, but in some cases it can overgrow and contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
While a normal part of the vaginal microbiota, Prevotella species can occasionally overgrow and contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Prevotella species are often found in higher numbers in women with BV than in those without the infection.
While Megasphaera species are part of the normal vaginal microbiota, they can occasionally overgrow and contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
While Ureaplasma species are part of the normal vaginal microbiota, they can occasionally overgrow and contribute to infections including BV, UTIs and STIs. Ureaplasma species have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, and can also cause infertility in some cases.
While Mycoplasma species are part of the normal vaginal microbiota, they can overgrow and contribute to infections including BV, UTIs and STIs. Mycoplasma genitalium is a common STI that can cause urethritis in both men and women.
Beneficial Bacteria
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.
A decrease in the total number of Lactobacillus species or a shift in the types of bacteria present in the vaginal microbiota can lead to various types of vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.
L. crispatus produces lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH in the vagina, preventing overgrowth of harmful bacteria and maintaining a healthy bacterial balance. Research suggests that it may be particularly effective in preventing and treating bacterial vaginosis.
L. gasseri helps maintain an acidic pH in the vagina maintaining a healthy bacterial balance. L. gasseri also produces antimicrobial substances that can help to prevent vaginal infections. It may help prevent recurrent UTIs and reduce the risk of preterm birth.
L. iners helps to maintain vaginal health by producing lactic acid. However some research suggests that high levels of Lactobacillus iners may be associated with a higher risk of vaginal infections, such as BV and UTIs.
L. jensenii plays a key role in maintaining an acidic pH in the vagina. L. jensenii has also produces antimicrobial substances that can help to prevent and treat vaginal infections and may be particularly effective in reducing the risk of preterm birth.
L. rhamnosus produces lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria. It also produces antimicrobial substances that can help prevent and treat vaginal infections, UTIs, and reduce the risk of premature birth.
L. salivarius produces lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria. It may also produce antimicrobial substances that can help prevent and treat vaginal infections, although further research is needed.
L. vaginalis produces lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH and prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria. It may also produce antimicrobial substances that can help prevent and treat vaginal infections, although more research is needed.
Opportunistic Fungal pathogens
Opportunistic fungal pathogens can cause infections in the vagina when the immune system is weakened or the vaginal microbiota is disrupted. Examples of opportunistic 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.
Candida albicans is a type of yeast that normally inhabits the vagina, but can sometimes overgrow and cause a yeast infection. This can occur due to factors such as antibiotic use, hormonal changes, or a weakened immune system. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and discharge.
C. glabrata is a type of yeast that can cause vaginal yeast infections, particularly in women who are immunocompromised or have had antibiotics. Symptoms can include itching, burning, and discharge. C. glabrata can be more resistant to certain treatments compared to other Candida species.
C. krusei can cause vaginal yeast infections, typically in women who have compromised immune systems or have received previous antifungal treatment. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and discharge. Treatment can be more challenging as C. krusei is often resistant to certain antifungal medications.
C. parapsilosis can cause vaginal yeast infections, particularly in women who have received previous antifungal treatment. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and discharge. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications.
C. tropicalis can cause vaginal yeast infections, particularly in women with weakened immune systems or those who have received previous antifungal treatment. Symptoms may include itching, burning, and discharge.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vaginal microbiota. In BV, the normal balance of beneficial lactobacilli and other bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, and there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae. This can lead to symptoms such as a foul-smelling discharge, itching, burning, and discomfort during sex.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the vaginal microbiota. Symptoms include foul-smelling discharge, itching, burning, and discomfort during sex.
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 back to the lab using the prepaid envelope and packaging.
Results for this test available in 7 days and will be published in your online dashboard.
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