If you’re wondering whether you can test for BV at home, the answer is yes. With modern bacterial vaginosis test kit options, you can self-test BV using tools like vaginal pH test strips or a vaginal microbiome analysis, without stepping foot in a clinic.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between each BV home test, how they work, and when to use them. We’ll also discuss which test is best suited to your symptoms or needs.
How accurate are at-home BV tests?
There are two types of bacterial vaginosis test kit commonly used at home: pH test strips and lab-based vaginal microbiome swab tests.
Vaginal pH test strips measure your vaginal pH. Since BV typically causes a rise in vaginal pH (above 4.5), this test can offer a quick, inexpensive clue. However, a high pH isn’t exclusive to BV – aerobic vaginitis, semen, menstrual blood, and even ovulation can also increase vaginal pH. So while helpful, this kind of BV home test is best interpreted alongside symptoms.
The at-home bacterial vaginosis test (like the Juno test) is a comprehensive self-test BV kit that allows you to swab your vagina at home and send the sample to a lab. It uses PCR or next-gen sequencing to analyse bacteria levels, giving a clearer picture of which organisms are present, including common BV species like Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Fannyhessea.
Lab-based at-home tests like Juno are highly sensitive and specific, particularly when symptoms are unclear or persistent. Accuracy depends on correct swab technique and robust laboratory processing.
Can I test for BV at home?
Yes, both pH strips and vaginal microbiome swabs can be used as reliable BV home test options.
If you want a fast check and have obvious vaginal symptoms like a fishy odour or thin, grey discharge, BV test kit strips are a great place to start. They’re affordable, easy to use, and can confirm whether your vaginal pH is elevated – a common sign of BV.
If your symptoms are less clear, keep coming back, or you’ve had several courses of antibiotics without lasting results, an at-home self-test BV kit like the Juno offers far more detail. It looks beyond pH and identifies the full range of vaginal microbes, both helpful and harmful.
You can choose the option that suits your needs, budget, and timeline: pH testing or a more comprehensive microbiome test.
What’s the best BV test kit?
The best bacterial vaginosis test kit for you depends on why you’re testing and what you want to know.
If you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly option to screen for a likely case of BV, a test with vaginal pH test strips is a great place to start. Use them to monitor your pH throughout your cycle or in response to treatment.
If you need a deeper, more accurate assessment, a lab-based at-home test using microbiome analysis (like the Juno) is ideal. It helps pinpoint exactly what’s going on and informs more targeted treatment choices.
In our clinical experience, people with chronic or recurring symptoms often get the best results by starting with the more detailed Juno vaginal health testing.
1. Understanding vaginal pH test strips
Vaginal pH test strips are colour-changing paper strips that measure acidity in the vagina. A generally ‘good’ pH is usually between 3.8 and 4.5. If your reading is higher than 4.5, and you have BV symptoms like unusual discharge or odour, it’s likely that your vaginal flora is out of balance.
But remember, just having high pH alone doesn’t mean anything! You can have a perfectly balanced vaginal microbiome, as long as there are no symptoms. A test is a clue, not a fact.
Our accurate vaginal pH testing strips are easy to use:
- Wash your hands and insert a clean finger with the strip for a few seconds
- Remove and compare the colour to the included chart
These vaginal pH tests are non-invasive, affordable, and can be used multiple times to monitor changes during and after treatment. We often recommend these as part of an ongoing BV home test toolkit.
You can buy a test kit with accurate vaginal pH test strips directly from My Vagina.
2. Exploring the Juno at-home test
The Juno test is a lab-based BV home test that gives a detailed breakdown of your vaginal microbiome. After ordering the kit, you:
- Use a sterile swab to collect a sample from your vaginal wall
- Package it using the provided materials
- Send it to the Juno lab for microbial analysis
Results are returned with information about:
- BV-associated bacteria (like Gardnerella, Fannyhessea, Lactobacillus iners)
- Beneficial lactobacilli species (like Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri)
- Yeast and other potential troublemakers
The test is highly accurate in detecting a wide range of microbes, including those linked to BV and aerobic vaginitis. However, diagnosis of AV also relies on identifying inflammation and mucosal damage, which is best interpreted by a practitioner.
In some cases when BV keeps returning, it is sound practice to test partners using MicrogenDX semen or urine tests and provide treatment. While routine penis/male microbiome testing isn’t widely available yet, reinfection from semen or skin microbes is a known concern, and managing effective treatment of both partners may support long-term success.
My Vagina’s naturopaths have developed the Killing BV penis treatment guide, with male partner treatment being a core feature of successful vaginal treatments for over 10 years. New research shows that male partner treatment reduces BV recurrence rates in women and vaginas by over half1.
We often recommend combining this form of vaginal health testing with practitioner support and targeted products, such as BV Rescue, from our treatment range.
3. When should you use a BV home test?
Here are some scenarios where using a bacterial vaginosis test kit makes sense:
- New symptoms, including a change in smell, texture or colour of discharge, irritation, or discomfort
- Recurrent BV, where you’ve had multiple episodes and want to track what’s working
- After treatment to check whether the BV is gone or if vaginal pH is back in balance
- Before trying to conceive to ensure your vaginal microbiome is in good shape
- Partner testing to check for recurrence risk due to reinfection
Remember that not every type of test gives the same insights. If you’re unsure, start with vaginal pH test strips and upgrade to a microbiome test if things are more complicated.
4. What if your test comes back positive?
If your vaginal pH is high or your test shows disruptive bacteria, don’t panic. The goal is to rebalance your vaginal flora, rather than simply killing off specific bacteria.
Depending on your results, we may recommend:
- Antimicrobial pessaries (like BV Rescue or the Double Whammy blend)
- Biofilm disruptors
- Vaginal probiotics (such as V-Spot)
- Oral probiotics and herbal antimicrobials
- A structured treatment plan like the Four-Pronged Approach
The My Vagina team of expert practitioners can also interpret your results and guide your next steps. Just reach out through our support questionnaire or book an appointment.
5. How to choose the right test kit
| Need or symptom | Best option |
|---|---|
| Obvious BV symptoms | BV test kit with vaginal pH test strips |
| Ongoing or recurring BV | At-home bacterial vaginosis test (Juno) |
| Confusing symptoms | Juno or book a consultation |
| Treatment planning or monitoring | Both – start with pH strips, add Juno if needed |
Testing doesn’t have to be stressful. With simple, accurate BV home test options, you can take charge of your vaginal health on your own terms.
Your next step towards clarity and healing
If you’re dealing with mystery discharge, recurring odour, or just want answers, testing is a great first step. Whether you start with a pH test strip or a microbiome analysis, we’ve got you covered.
Explore our trusted bacterial vaginosis test kit range to find your fit, from accurate vaginal pH test strips to the detailed Juno at-home bacterial vaginosis test – and our world-famous Killing BV treatment programs for vaginas and penises.
Still not sure which test is right for you? Our vaginal health testing and treatment plans include guidance on what to use and when, and you can always get in touch. We’re here to help.
Get a fresh perspective with a qualified, experienced vulvovaginal specialist naturopath.
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The most comprehensive vaginal microbiome test you can take at home, brought to you by world-leading vaginal microbiome scientists at Juno Bio.
Unique, comprehensive BV, AV and 'mystery bad vag' treatment guide, one-of-a-kind system, with effective, innovative treatments.
Promote and support a protective vaginal microbiome with tailored probiotic species.
