Your vaginal microbiome is a delicate ecosystem of bacteria that protects against infection, maintains pH balance and supports overall wellbeing. When this balance is disrupted, symptoms can appear quickly.
What causes imbalance?
Common triggers include:
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- New sexual partners
- Menopause
- Over‑washing or scented products
These can shift the microbiome, allowing BV, thrush or other infections to develop.
Why symptoms alone aren’t reliable
BV, thrush and other conditions often overlap in symptoms:
- Discharge
- Odour
- Itching
- Irritation
- Discomfort
Self‑treating without testing can make symptoms worse.
How testing helps
A vaginal swab identifies the exact cause of symptoms so you can get the right treatment the first time. At Focus Labs, our swabs test for:
- BV
- Thrush (Candida species)
- Other common infections
Understanding your microbiome is the first step to restoring balance.