Think of it as the immune system to your reproductive tract. It contains good bacteria (lactobacilli) and disruptive microorganisms (yeasts, viruses). A healthy vaginal microbiome is one where the good bacteria keep the disruptive ones in check, preventing them from growing out of control and causing an infection. A balanced microbiome has been linked to a lower risk of vaginal infections, including STIs.

There are several studies that show the correlation between having a healthy vaginal microbiome and a lower risk of getting vaginal infections like thrush and BV, a lower risk of contracting STIs, improved fertility and lower risks of miscarriage and pre-term birth, and a lower risk of developing gynaecological cancers. You can find more study references in your test results.

The tampon offers a non-invasive, familiar method of obtaining a testing sample that makes the screening experience at home more comfortable and accessible. Further, tampons collect a comprehensive sample from the entirety of the vaginal canal, allowing for greater accuracy compared to traditional methods like swabs. The applicator enables smooth insertion in the vagina, and it also prevents the tampon from being contaminated during insertion.

Whatever your needs, we’ve got a package to suit you:

1. STI Screening only (£89)

You’ll get tested for 6 of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens that cause infections: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma Genitalium. In your report, you will also find a list of personalised, science-backed solutions & resources to help you manage your sexual health holistically. 

1. STI & Microbiome Screening (£129)

This panel includes all STI targets from the first package and more. We will analyse your microbiome for lactobacilli (the good, protective bacteria), Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella (anaerobic bacteria, linked to bacterial vaginosis), Candida (a yeast linked to thrush). 

Our at-home online STI screening service is designed to help you detect and identify specific sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Mycoplasma. However, it's important to note that our service provides a diagnostic indication based on the tests conducted, but it does not provide a definitive medical diagnosis.

The results you receive from our screening tests are valuable for assessing your risk and providing guidance on whether you should seek medical attention. If your test results indicate the presence of an STI, it means you may be at risk, and we strongly recommend that you consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation, confirmation, and treatment. You can also connect with vetted specialists and sexual health experts through the Daye platform.

After your sample reaches our lab, it will be analysed within 5–10 days. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready for review, or if there was an issue with your sample.

After you receive your results, you will be able to book a consultation with a vetted specialist and order medication (subject to additional costs and availability). We also help you make lifestyle changes to improve your gynaecological health. Did you know that everything from your contraception and condoms to underwear materials, can impact the composition of good and bad bacteria in your vagina? Stay in the know with Daye's screen and invest in interventions that actually work.

Our test uses quantitative PCR technology, which is able to quantify the relative amounts of microorganisms in your microbiome. DNA-based methods (like PCR) can detect the DNA of all microorganisms found in the sample in an automated and highly accurate way. Studies have shown that PCR is the most accurate way of assessing the presence of STIs and the bacterial composition of the vaginal canal, surpassing standard and time-consuming methods, like microscopy. Furthermore, PCR-based screening can simultaneously detect multiple microorganisms in a single sample, allowing more comprehensive, yet affordable testing.

We use PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technologies. These have revolutionised the screening and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and vaginal infections, exemplifying a remarkable level of sophistication in molecular diagnostics. Unlike traditional methods that rely on culturing microorganisms, which can be time-consuming and less sensitive, PCR enables the detection of even trace amounts of genetic material from STI-causing pathogens. This high sensitivity allows for early and accurate identification of infections, reducing the risk of complications and transmission. Furthermore, PCR-based STI screening can simultaneously detect multiple pathogens in a single sample, streamlining the diagnostic process. 

Samples are processed in a UKAS-accredited lab, using a CQC-audited lab methodology, and an MHRA registered, CE-marked diagnostic kit.

In order to take a sample at least 5 days must have passed since your last period ended. There are a few other requirements: no antibiotics or antifungals in the last 30 days, no douching, penetrative vaginal sex, and vaginally applied meds or creams in the 24 hours before. That will ensure your microbiome is in a stable state and that your results are not inconclusive.

Using the kit at home is super easy — you just need to insert the provided tampon, wear it for at least 20 minutes (and up to 8 hours), and then put it in the pouches you have received in the kit, and ship it back to us in the same box you received initially. We’ve prepared detailed video instructions which you’ll see after completing the test activation questionnaire in your account.

At Daye, we believe in building products that are rooted in scientific rigour. This means that we never want to get ahead of the science available. Like many other areas of gynaecological health, vaginal microbiome research has been underfunded for decades.

Vaginal microbiome screening is also not a common practice in clinical care today unless you go private.

A vaginal microbiome screen is used to understand the composition of bacteria in your vaginal microbiome. This can help you identify the presence of pathogens, which could be causing you recurrent vaginal infections (Candida, Gardnerella) or preventing you from becoming pregnant (Mycoplasma). If you're peri-menopausal or menopausal, you may want to increase your lactobacilli count so as to fight off vaginal dryness. If you have suffered recurrent UTIs, you may find a disrupted vaginal microbiome to be the cause. Knowing that you have a low lactobacilli count can also help you and your physician make informed decisions on your risk of a recurrent miscarriage or pre-term labour.

Not every physician, however, will recommend a vaginal microbiome screen, due to the method not being widespread yet. Please feel free to consult with your doctor before purchasing this test. If you require a simple bacterial vaginosis or candida test, you can get one for free from your local sexual health clinic.

It's also important to note that by testing your vaginal microbiome you are contributing to an increased global understanding of the best ways to detect and manage gynaecological health diseases, in turn bridging the gender gap in medical research and innovation.

Yes, our tampon-based STI screening is highly accurate and comparable to traditional testing methods. The samples collected are carefully analyzed in a certified laboratory to ensure reliable results.

Yes, we take your privacy seriously. Your personal information and test results are kept confidential. We follow strict privacy and data protection protocols to ensure your information remains secure.

No, it's best to avoid using the STI screening tampon during your menstrual period. You can use the tampon at other times during your cycle when you are not menstruating.

If your test results come back positive, it's important to seek medical advice and treatment promptly. You should contact a healthcare professional who can provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take for treatment and managing the infection.

Many STIs present without symptoms, but can cause serious complications is left untreated. If you are sexually active, it's recommended to get screened proactively every time you change a partner or once every year.

It is possible that if you test for STIs soon after being infected, your test may not find the infection. For this reason you may be advised to repeat the STI screening two weeks after the time when you were at risk of catching it.

• 2 tampons to take your sample — one to take your sample with and one for backup (double check the expiry date)
• A blue sterile pouch to keep the tampon sample safe from contamination
• A see-through shock-proof pouch to ensure the sample is protected on its way to the lab
• A 10 ml container with a transport medium liquid to protect your sample while on its way to the lab
• Step-by-step instructions on how to do the test + a card with the activation code
• For your convenience, the return label, which you can use to ship your sample back to our partner lab, is already attached to the outside of the box.

Don’t use the kit if any of these is missing or damaged. Get in touch with our customer care team and we’ll sort it out.