Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Bacterial Vaginosis Test

This vaginal swab test checks for the bacterial imbalance that causes bacterial vaginosis, a common cause of unusual discharge, odour or itching. It suits you if you have these symptoms and have not had recent sexual contact.

  • Female
Sample
Swab
Collection
Vaginal swab sample at clinic
Results in
4 days
Biomarkers
1
Tests for
  • Bacterial Vaginosis

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
swab
Collection method
vaginal swab sample at clinic
Turnaround time
4 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Female

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Better2Know.

  • Bacterial Vaginosis

About this test

Bacterial vaginosis happens when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, and can cause symptoms such as unusual discharge, an unpleasant odour or itching. This test uses a vaginal swab taken at a clinic to check for the bacteria linked to the condition, reporting a single result rather than a wider sexual health panel.

As a single-marker test, it sits in the lower band for clinical depth among sexual health tests we track, around the 21st percentile. At £295, it is priced well above the £145 median for similarly sized sexual health tests, about 103% higher, which is the main reason its value for money score is low.

The sample is a vaginal swab taken at a clinic, with results stated within four working days; the collection convenience score reflects that this is an in-clinic swab rather than a home kit. Trust signals reflect Better2Know's Trustpilot score of 4.2 from 775 reviews, its CQC registration and more than 18 years trading, while the lower results and follow-up score reflects that results are not doctor-reviewed as standard.

Who is it for?

This could suit you if you have symptoms such as unusual discharge, odour or itching and have not had recent sexual contact, and want a swab test that specifically checks for bacterial vaginosis. It may be less suited if you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, since this test only checks the one marker and does not cover STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

How it works

A clinician takes a vaginal swab during your clinic appointment, which takes around 15 minutes. The swab is sent to Better2Know's laboratory, where it is tested for the bacteria linked to bacterial vaginosis. The provider states results are ready within four working days and are viewed in a secure online patient area; results are not doctor-reviewed as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Short clinic appointment, stated at around 15 minutes.
  • Specifically targets bacterial vaginosis rather than a broad, untargeted panel.
  • Provider gives a clear description of symptoms the test is meant to investigate.

Cons

  • At £295, more than double the £145 median for similar sexual health tests we track.
  • Only available at a clinic; no home or nurse-visit option is stated for this swab.
  • Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.
  • Does not cover other sexually transmitted infections in the same test.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker BV swab, priced well above typical
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 5.8/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 21st percentile of sexual health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 3.0/10

    Requires a venous draw at a clinic; results in around 4 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 6.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.

  • Value for money 2.0/10

    £295.00 against a median of £145.00 for the 81 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (+103%).

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