Gardnerella Vaginalis (BV) Test

Why is it important to get tested for gardnerella vaginalis (BV)?

This infection affects approximately one in three women at some stage of their lives, and is quite common to not notice any symptoms of BV. Some women mistakenly believe that BV is not a serious infection and will not lead to any complications if left untreated, but this is not the case.

Gardnerella vaginalis, also known as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) can lead to an increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, and endometriosis. Your susceptibility for other STIs, including HIV, is increased. Untreated BV in pregnant women can lead to complications, including miscarriage or premature birth.

When should I take a gardnerella vaginalis test?

Gardnerella vaginalis (BV), is not usually directly transmitted through sexual intercourse, but is more common in sexually active women. BV is caused by a combination of different bacteria that upset the natural balance of the vagina. The most typical symptom of BV includes an abnormal white vaginal discharge with an unpleasant fishy smell, which may appear after sexual intercourse. Often BV is not painful or uncomfortable and may not be easily noticeable, so you should get tested regularly if you're sexually active.

You should take a gardnerella vaginalis BV test two weeks after you last had unprotected sex. If you have already been treated and would like to check that your infection has cleared successfully, you can also take the test. We provide safe and discreet BV testing for men and women.

How do I take a gardnerella vaginalis test?

If you suspect that you may have bacterial vaginosis (BV), or just want to be sure you haven't got it, you can easily buy a gardnerella vaginalis test kit online. After you've placed your order online with us, you will receive your home test discreetly in the mail. Once you receive your test kit, you simply urinate in the specimen tube provided, seal it in the transport cup and send it to our laboratory in the included pre-paid envelope for testing.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to take a test that does not require a urine sample, you could take the BV Profile Swab test, which uses the latest PCR testing methodologies to provide extremely accurate results. This is the only test that is able to detect both the gardnerella and atopobium vaginae bacteria, two types of bacteria that are present in those who have BV. Our urine test only tests for the gardnerella bacteria. If you choose the BV Profile Swab test, you simply need to order it online. After you receive the test, you will need to take one vaginal sample swab and one PCR sample swab as per the instructions that will be included with the test. You will be able to send these swabs in the prepaid envelope that is provided to our laboratory where it will be processed.

When will I get my results?

Your results will be made available to you via email notification, within three to five working days of our laboratory receiving your test. To view your results, you simply need to log-in to the secure member's area on our site where your results will be available to you.

What happens if I test positive?

If your gardnerella vaginalis (BV) test result is positive, a simple course of antibiotics can be taken to effectively treat your infection. We will direct you to a team of registered doctors who will help you to find the right treatment for your condition, which will then be mailed to you directly from a registered pharmacy.