I swabbed my vagina for a mail-order test that can help explain recurrent infections or even infertility. Here's how it worked.

Anna Medaris MillerOct 1, 2021, 20:16 IST

Evvy's at-home vaginal microbiome test involves a swab that delivers results in two weeks.Courtesy of Evvy

Evvy launched in July to help get at the root of recurrent vaginal infections and other symptoms.
I didn't have complaints, but I tried the kit to see what it revealed about my habits or fertility.
I learned my microbiome is dominated by a certain (good, in my case) bacteria, but not much more.

If you have a vagina, chances are you've had a yeast infection or urinary tract infection.

8% of people who get yeast infections will get more than four a year. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

First, some background on Evvy, which was founded by two Stanford graduates.

Priyanka Jain (left) and Laine Bruzek met as undergrads at Stanford. Courtesy of Evvy

Jain and Bruzek are also interested in collecting data on female bodies, which weren't required to be in clinical research until 1993.

Evvy's founders see women's natural hormonal fluctuations as an asset, not something to avoid in research. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

The Evvy kit includes a thin plastic rod with a cotton swab, directions for use, and a container and packaging to send the sample back in.

Evvy's founders designed the packaging to look not overly feminine since they want to help anyone with a vagina. Evvy

Before swabbing, Evvy asks you to create a profile and complete a health questionnaire online.

I was lucky not to complain of any symptoms, but did wonder if I'm as healthy as I assumed. Anna Medaris Miller

Then, it was time to swab.

An Evvy rep told me they most frequently have to send fresh swabs for consumers who use it during or around their periods, contaminating the sample with blood. Anna Medaris Miller

Next, as directed, I snapped the lower half of the swabbing stick off and sealed the sample in its intended tube.

The tube had a small bit of liquid in it to protect the bacteria. Anna Medaris Miller

A few weeks later, I got my results, but it took some time and effort to understand what they meant.

Given the conversational tone of the survey, I was a little surprised to see such scientific detail in the results. Anna Medaris Miller

Because I haven't tried to get pregnant, the Evvy test couldn't tell me much about my fertility.

Other factors affect fertility more than the vaginal microbiome. Isabel Pavia/Getty Images

My online dashboard also came with "next steps" that seemed generic.

I didn't see a compelling reason to track my microbiome over time, but I'm also not a health tech-y person. Anna Medaris Miller

Most people who've used Evvy so far have symptoms they're trying to resolve, and some have found help, Pita said.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

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