FAQs

Microbiomes are the communities of bacteria and other microbes that live in and on our bodies. Our bodies are the home for up to 100 trillion bacteria (and other microbes.) A microbiome can be considered the combined genetic material of all of our microorganisms in a particular environment, for instance in our mouths, guts, vaginas, and elsewhere.

The vaginal microbiome is the community of microbes that live in the vagina. Your vaginal microbiome is made up of bacteria (both healthy and unhealthy types) and other microbes and organisms. These microbes and bacteria contribute to our overall health and wellness.

Yes. By decoding the vaginal microbiome, we can identify and treat under-addressed conditions that are often incorrectly diagnosed or treated incorrectly. The vaginal microbiome plays a significant role in over 30 major women’s health conditions, including recurrent bacterial infections, which may be a risk factor for preterm birth.

Take our at-home vaginal health test. From a simple vaginal swab, our experienced pathologists are able to tell you all of the clinically relevant organisms that make up your vaginal microbiome. By extracting all the microbial DNA (genetic material) from your sample, we can determine which relevant microbes are present, in what proportions and determine if your microbiome is healthy or unhealthy. By giving you in-depth insights as only our gynecologic pathology can, you’ll know exactly where you stand.

Knowing what makes up your unique vaginal microbiome is the first step in avoiding and eliminating problems that can arise due to vaginal health issues.

You must be 18 years or older to purchase a MyPathAdvantage test. Individuals under 18 cannot create an account or receive results.

Currently, MyPathAdvantage ships within the United States only. We hope to expand internationally soon. For updates on new markets and other news, sign up for our newsletter in the footer of our website or follow us on social media.

Yes, the MyPathAdvantage test is safe during pregnancy. The swab is inserted just a few inches into the vaginal canal. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can shift your vaginal microbiome, making it beneficial to understand these changes through our comprehensive test.

The MyPathAdvantage test is specifically designed for people with vaginas and neovaginas to analyze the vaginal microbiome so only people with vaginas or neovaginas can take the test.

Yes! Anyone with a vagina, including those with neovaginas, can take the MyPathAdvantage test. It can provide valuable insights for trans and non-binary individuals on how hormone therapy affects their vaginal microbiome.

The MyPathAdvantage test screens for clinically significant bacteria and fungi in the vaginal microbiome, including (but not limited to) strains of yeast, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginosis, and good bacteria. Our add-on test includes screening for STIs including viruses. This comprehensive analysis provides a thorough understanding of your vaginal health. Get a full list of what we test for here.

Yes, the MyPathAdvantage test is performed at PathAdvantage, a CAP (College of American Pathologists) certified health pathology laboratory in Dallas, Texas. It has been serving women and their OB/GYNs for over 20 years. Founded by a female physician and owned/operated by doctors, not giant corporations or shareholders, PathAdvantage is committed to giving you the most accurate, helpful test with quick results.

Avoid testing during menstruation or within 24 hours of sexual activity. Do not collect a sample if you’ve used oral or vaginal antifungals, topical creams, vaginal suppositories, or antibiotics recently. Testing is best done when you want to understand your current vaginal health status.

We strongly recommend discussing your MyPathAdvantage vaginal health test results with your clinician. They can help you better understand your results and make recommendations about treatment options.

Yes, the add-on MyPathAdvantage test includes Mycoplasma genitalium, as well as other STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. It also tests for HSV 1 and HSV 2 (herpes), syphillus, chancroid and Ureaplasma.

PCR is used to confirm the presence of specific microbes by quickly identifying the presence of microbial genes. Compared to NGS and metagenomic testing, PCR may offer a higher specificity and sensitivity when identifying organisms. While it’s always possible to have a false negative in a laboratory test, it’s far less likely in a PCR test.

NGS testing, also known as next generation sequencing, is a process that can identify a substantial number of the organisms in your vaginal microbiome, regardless of whether they have clinical significance or not. While that may sound like it offers more, that doesn’t mean it’s better. Firstly, NGS testing may be less sensitive than the PCR testing used by MyPathAdvantage, and more likely to lead to false negatives. Secondly, more is not always better. MyPathAdvantage’s PCR testing looks for clinically significant, well-studied organisms that are known to cause symptoms or vaginal issues. These PCR testing panels were designed by key opinion leaders in women’s health and are intended to provide all of the clinical information that is relevant to you. As doctors at a leading gynecological pathology laboratory, we pride ourselves on always using the most advanced technology. Our laboratory is owned by doctors, not investment companies, whose primary goal is providing the best care for you, not profits.

There are a variety of tests available to clinicians when it comes to vaginal health testing, so it’s hard to say how MyPathAdvantage compares with the testing your clinician provides. MyPathAdvantage is offered by PathAdvantage, a clinical laboratory in Dallas, Texas, that has served clinicians for over 20 years. The clinicians we work with have provided the MyPathAdvantage test to their patients for several years, so it’s the same test that their patients receive in their offices.

If you have no symptoms and a result indicating a balanced microbiome, congratulations, you have a healthy vaginal microbiome. You can rest assured that whatever you’re doing for your vaginal health is most likely working! We recommend you continue eating healthfully, taking probiotics (if they are already part of your health regimen), and repeat testing only if you experience symptoms. If you have symptoms, however, and receive test results that indicate an unbalanced microbiome or an infection, we highly recommend you consult with your clinician to review your results and decide on possible treatment. Be sure to let them know that your test was done by a CAP-certified laboratory run by pathologists. If your results show the presence of any reportable pathogens, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, these may be reported to your local health department per mandatory local rules and guidelines.

Yes, our add-on test includes Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, HSV 1 and 2, syphilis and chancroid testing. Please note that if your results show the presence of any reportable pathogens, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea these will be reported to your local health department per local rules and guidelines.

Currently, MyPathAdvantage does not test for HIV. (HIV testing requires blood to be drawn.)

MyPathAdvantage protects your privacy and will never sell your data. Unlike some of our competitors, we pride ourselves on protecting your health data indefinitely. We use industry-standard safeguards like de-identification, encryption, and data segmentation to ensure the security of your information.

If your doctor ordered your test and you need assistance, please look at this help section.

Yes! Please ask your doctor about offering MyPathAdvantage to their patients. If your doctor orders your test, then you will have the option to pay with insurance. At this time, we only offer self-pay options for direct-to-consumer testing.

Results are released by the end of the next business day after the laboratory receives your test. You will be notified via email when your results are available.

Is there an issue with your test kit? You can request a replacement vaginal test kit by logging in to your account.

Your registration codes consist of a Reg. No and a Patient ID located on stickers inside the box your test came in and on your test vial.

The MyPathAdvantage test is valid for 90 days after purchase.

Orders typically ship by the end of the next business day of receiving your order. You will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information once your order ships.

MyPathAdvantage does not currently accept insurance for direct-to-consumer testing but is eligible for insurance reimbursement or HSA/FSA reimbursement. However, if your doctor orders you a MyPathAdvantage test, they may be able to submit it for insurance coverage.

Contact us with your order number for assistance. Register your test by logging into your account, inputting the Reg. No and Patient ID.

Reset your password by clicking “Forgot Password?” on the login page.

Yes. Contact us for assistance.