Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Female Swab

This vaginal swab culture checks for bacterial infections. It suits women with genital symptoms such as discharge, itching, odour or pain when urinating, often alongside a broader sexual health screen.

  • Female
Sample
Swab
Collection
Vaginal swab sample at clinic
Results in
2 days
Biomarkers
1
Tests for
  • Culture

Test specifications

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

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Better2Know.

  • Culture

About this test

The Female Swab takes a vaginal swab culture to look for bacterial infections. It is intended for women with symptoms such as pain during urination, unusual discharge, itching or odour, and the provider notes it is often taken alongside a broader screen such as a Comfort Screen if you have recently been sexually active.

This test has no listed comparison group, so we cannot say how it stacks up against a specific set of peers. Against the wider category of similar sexual health tests, its £175 price is around 21% above the roughly £145 median.

The clinical depth score reflects that this is a single-marker culture test, which places it in the lower fifth of sexual health tests we track for biomarker count, though depth is not really the point of a targeted symptom check. clarity and documentation scores well because the listing gives a detailed description, the biomarker, turnaround and collection details, though not what the report looks like. Collection convenience scores highly, reflecting a straightforward clinic visit with results back within two days. Results and follow-up is marked down because results are not doctor-reviewed as standard, although the provider says a doctor consultation is arranged if you test positive.

Who is it for?

This suits you if you have genital symptoms such as discharge, itching, odour or pain when urinating and want a targeted bacterial culture rather than a full sexual health panel. Because no comparable tests are listed alongside it in our data, we cannot say whether a cheaper or broader alternative exists for this specific swab; if you want wider STI coverage in one visit, look at Better2Know's own combined screens. Speak to a GP if your symptoms are severe or persistent.

How it works

A vaginal swab sample is taken at a Better2Know clinic; the provider describes the self-collection process as similar to inserting a tampon. The sample is sent for laboratory culture analysis, with results typically available within two days and accessible through the online patient area. The provider does not state that results are reviewed by a doctor as standard, though it says a consultation is arranged if you test positive.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Targeted culture test for specific genital symptoms rather than a broad panel
  • Results typically available within two days
  • Confidential results accessible through an online patient area

Cons

  • No doctor review of results as standard
  • About 21% above the roughly £145 median for similar sexual health tests
  • Covers one biomarker line; no comparison group listed for wider context

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker swab test, priced near the category average
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

The Female Swab is a single vaginal swab culture used to check for bacterial infections when you have genital symptoms, usually taken alongside a broader screen. At £175 it costs around 21% more than the roughly £145 median we see across similar sexual health tests. There is no doctor review of results as standard, though a consultation is arranged if you test positive.

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 4.0/10

    A swab sample taken at a clinic; results in around 2 days, in line with or faster 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 5.5/10

    £175.00 against a median of £145.00 for the 81 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (+21%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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