By Gabrielle Gleeson-Solomon, CEO of Tota
Scientific Review by Dr Nick Parkinson, PhD
How to choose the best vaginal microbiome test in the UK.
A few years ago, getting your vaginal microbiome tested wasn't really an option outside of a research lab.
Now, Google the best vaginal microbiome test in the UK and you'll find plenty to choose from. Different prices, different technologies, different turnaround times and very different levels of detail in the results.
Some tests look for a set list of specific bacteria. Others analyse the wider microbial community. Some tell you whether an organism was detected, while others tell you how much of it was found.
So before choosing a vaginal microbiome test in the UK, it's worth understanding what you're actually paying for.
Here are six things we'd compare.
1. What is it actually testing for?
Your vaginal microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms living in the vagina. So the first question is: how much of that community is the test actually looking at?
Some tests are targeted, meaning the laboratory decides in advance which organisms to look for. That can be useful when you're looking for something specific, but it won't identify organisms outside that list.
Non-targeted tests take a broader approach, looking across the microbial DNA in your sample to identify what's there.
So if you're comparing a vaginal bacteria test, ask: How many species can it identify? Does it look for fungi and yeasts as well as bacteria? Is it searching for a set list or looking more broadly at the microorganisms in my sample?
Tota uses non-targeted DNA sequencing and compares what we find against a database of more than 4,000 species of bacteria, fungi and yeasts
2. Does it tell you how much of each organism is there?
Finding an organism is useful information. But with the microbiome, how much of it is there matters too.
Imagine two results detect the same bacteria. In one person, it makes up 1% of their microbiome. In another, it makes up 70%. Those are very different results.
That's why we recommend looking for a test that tells you how much of each organism was found, not only whether it was detected or not.
However the amount is shown, you need to be able to understand what it means. A result like “1.3E+7” might make perfect sense to a scientist or a doctor, but probably not to most of us. Look for a test that translates those numbers into plain English, so you can understand not only what was found but what it means for you too.
So when you're comparing tests, ask: will it tell me how much of each organism was found, not just whether it was detected? And will it explain that information in a way I can actually understand?
3. What technology is behind the test?
Here's the slightly nerdier bit. There are different ways to look for microorganisms.
A culture tries to grow organisms from your sample under laboratory conditions. PCR tests look for specific pieces of genetic material they're designed to detect. Metagenomic sequencing takes a broader approach, analysing microbial genetic material across the sample to identify what's there.
You absolutely don't need to become a sequencing expert before ordering an at-home vaginal microbiome test. But you should be able to find out what technology is being used and therefore what it will tell you.
If all you can find is “advanced laboratory testing”, we'd keep looking.
4. Who is actually doing your test and where?
You order a kit from a website, take your sample at home and post it back. But what happens next?
When you're choosing an at home vaginal microbiome test, find out who's actually analysing your sample. Does the company run the testing itself or work with another laboratory? Where is that lab based? Who developed the methodology? What quality controls are in place?
Using an external specialist laboratory isn't necessarily a problem. What matters is transparency.
It's also worth checking whether your sample is tested in the UK or shipped internationally, particularly if having your sample analysed locally matters to you.
5. How quickly will you get your results?
If you're testing because you're experiencing symptoms or trying to understand something that's been bothering you for a while, you probably don't want to wait weeks for your results.
Check the turnaround time before ordering and check when the clock actually starts.
“Results in seven days” could mean seven days from taking your sample, seven days from the laboratory receiving it or seven working days from processing beginning.
When you're waiting for answers about your body, speed matters.
6. Will you actually understand your results?
This might be one of the most important things to check.
Identifying lots of microorganisms is only useful if the results help you understand what they could mean for you.
Before you buy, look for a sample report. Does it simply give you a list of scientific names? Or does it explain which findings matter, what they could mean and what you might want to do next?
Tota results give you an overall microbiome status, key findings, a full Microbiome Breakdown and personalised recommendations based on your results. You can also download your report to share with a healthcare professional.
You should be able to see what you're paying for before you pay for it.
And what about price?
Of course price matters when you’re taking a private vaginal microbiome test. Just make sure you're comparing like with like.
A targeted test looking for a small number of organisms isn't offering the same information as a test using non-targeted sequencing to analyse microbial DNA across your sample.
The technology, number of organisms analysed, laboratory processes and level of detail you get back can all affect the price.
So rather than starting with “Which test is cheapest?”, ask “What information am I actually getting for my money?”
Sometimes a cheaper test will give you exactly what you're looking for. The important thing is to understand what each test offers, so you can decide whether the difference in price is worth it for what you want to find out.
So, how do you choose the best vaginal microbiome test in the UK?
Start with what you want to learn.
If you're looking for one specific organism or infection, you might not need a full microbiome test. A targeted test recommended by a healthcare professional may be most appropriate.
But if you're experiencing recurring symptoms, haven't found the answers you're looking for, or want to understand more about your vaginal health, a microbiome test can give you much more information to work with.
Look behind the claims on the product page.
How much does the test look for? Does it tell you how much of each organism was found? What technology does it use? Who's doing the science? Where is your sample going? And will the results actually help you understand what was found?
You don't need to understand every detail of metagenomic sequencing to choose a good test.
But you should feel confident that the test is thorough, the science behind it is credible and the results will give you information you can actually use.
Sources
- Dubé-Zinatelli E, Cappelletti L, Ismail N. Vaginal microbiome: environmental, biological, and racial influences on gynecological health across the lifespan. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2024;92(6):e70026. PubMed: 39670915
- Shi Y, Wang G, Lau HC, Yu J. Metagenomic sequencing for microbial DNA in human samples: emerging technological advances. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(4):2181. PubMed: 35216302
- Parker K, Wood H, Russell JA, Yarmosh D, Shteyman A, Bagnoli J, Knight B, Aspinwall JR, Jacobs J, Werking K, Winegar R. An approach for identification of unknown viruses using sequencing-by-hybridization. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023;8(2):121. PubMed: 36828537
- Francis KP, Stewart GS. Detection and speciation of bacteria through PCR using universal major cold-shock protein primer oligomers. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 1997;19(4):286-293. PubMed: 9439003
- Chiu CY, Miller SA. Clinical metagenomics. Nat Rev Genet. 2019;20(6):341-355. PubMed: 30918369
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. If you're experiencing new, severe, persistent or worsening symptoms, please speak to a GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
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