Intimate Health test

With our ‘Intimate Health Test’, you’ll be tested for 3 common conditions: Bacterial Vaginosis, Candida and Trichomonas. The infections, fungi or parasite occur in the vagina. Testing can be useful due to the generic nature of the symptoms and the fact that complaints are not always present. Tens of thousands of women are tested every years for bacterial vaginosis through GPs. You can only be treated properly in this manner. The treatment also takes place through the general practitioner.

Similar to STDs, the symptoms are quite generic. Bacterial vaginosis can lead to unpleasant odors (often described as fishy smell) and Candida can lead to friable secretions. Itching, pain during intercourse, and pain when urinating are some of the other problems. These symptoms are very generic and could be more than (only) vaginosis or Candida. A test provides answers.

Bacterial Vaginosis is a common vaginal condition in women between the ages of 15 and 44. Bacterial Vaginosis is not an STD. Vaginosis is caused by certain bacteria disturbing the natural balance in the vagina. Other bacteria, such as the lactic acid bacteria, are actually reduced. This impacts the acidity in the vagina. Bacterial Vaginosis leads to an increased abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. You can read more about Bacterial Vaginosis here.

Candida is a type of yeast. A harmless yeast-like fungus called Candida, commonly known as candidiasis or candidose, overgrows in the vagina. In women with vaginal problems or complaints, an infection of the candida albicans is often diagnosed. In between 85 and 90 percent of cases, this occurs. Candida is not a STD, despite the fact that its symptoms may resemble those of a STD. Read more about Candida here.

Trichomonas (or Trichomoniasis) is an STD, unlike Bacterial Vaginosis and Candida. This STD is caused by a parasite. The parasite will attach to the mucous membrane once it is infected. Women are more likely to experience symptoms than men. It can take months or even years after infection for symptoms to appear. There may be symptoms of itching, smelly/discolored discharge, pain when urinating, etc. In general, these complaints cause few complications. More about Trichomonas here.

With the Intimate Health test you can test yourself at home by taking a vaginal swab. After taking the swab, put it in the box and send it back to us. Immediately after we receive your sample in our lab, we start the analysis. You’ll be tested on Bacterial vaginosis, Candida and Trichomonas. You will receive a result for each condition, and this could be positive or negative. So, for example, you test positive for Bacterial vaginosis and negative for Candida and Trichomonas.

The research is being conducted at Diagnostiek voor U (Diagnostics for You), a large GP lab in Eindhoven. The result is authorized by the medical microbiologist. More about the lab.