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This test — the Invivo Vaginal EcologiX — is a practitioner-only vaginal PCR panel that we offered access to for a short while. These days we mostly reach for Juno, whose sequencing-based test tends to give us more to work with, but the Invivo test is genuinely interesting and worth understanding — so here is the rundown: what it is, what it does well, where it falls short, and how you would actually get access to one.
A quick note: Invivo has since moved its microbiome testing across to its sister brand, Microba, so the EcologiX name may be on its way out. The approach behind it — a targeted PCR panel read and interpreted by a practitioner — is still very much worth knowing about.
What is the Vaginal EcologiX?
The Vaginal EcologiX is a functional test from Invivo Healthcare, a UK-based lab. You collect a vaginal swab yourself at home and post it to the lab, and your practitioner receives and interprets the results. It is practitioner-only — it is not sold directly to the public — so you access it through someone qualified to order and read it.
How it works: a targeted PCR panel
The EcologiX uses PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to look for a fixed list of specific, pre-chosen organisms and to measure how much of each is present. That quantitative angle is genuinely useful — it lets you see whether, say, Gardnerella or a particular Candida is present in small or large amounts, and track how that shifts with treatment.1
This is a different approach from a sequencing test like Juno, which reads everything in the sample and builds a picture of the whole community rather than checking off a set list. Targeted PCR is precise and quantitative for the things on its panel; sequencing casts a wider net.
What the Female EcologiX tests for
The core panel covers the main vaginal lactobacilli, the usual bacterial-vaginosis and aerobic-vaginitis players, Ureaplasma, and the common Candida species:
- Lactobacillus crispatus
- Lactobacillus iners
- Lactobacillus jensenii
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- Mobiluncus mulieris
- Mobiluncus curtisii
- Streptococcus agalactiae
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Megasphaera 1
- Megasphaera 2
- Escherichia coli
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Atopobium vaginae
- BVAB2
- Prevotella bivia
- Ureaplasma urealyticum
- Candida albicans
- Candida parapsilosis
- Candida tropicalis
- Candida krusei
- Candida glabrata
What the version with the STI panel adds
The Female EcologiX + STI version tests for everything above, plus the common sexually transmitted infections:
- Herpes simplex virus 1
- Herpes simplex virus 2
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
The pros
- It is quantitative — it measures how much of each organism is there, not just whether it is present, which is handy for tracking a stubborn case or a treatment response.
- It covers the key players — the important lactobacilli, the BV- and aerobic-vaginitis-associated bacteria, Ureaplasma, and the Candida species, with an optional STI add-on.
- It comes with practitioner support — results are interpreted for you rather than landing as a raw data dump.
The cons and limitations
- It only sees what is on its list. A targeted panel can miss organisms it does not specifically look for — a sequencing test (like Juno) is more likely to turn up the unexpected.2
- It is practitioner-only. You cannot simply buy it yourself; you need a practitioner to order and interpret it.
- Cost and logistics. It is a paid private test posted to a UK lab, so there is a price tag and some postage and turnaround time to factor in.
Access: a practitioner-only test
Because it is practitioner-only, you go through a practitioner who orders the kit, has it sent to you, and interprets the results once the lab reports back. When we offered access to it, the Female EcologiX was around £195 and the version with the STI panel around £255 (roughly US$255 and US$335 at the time) — current pricing will depend on the provider. If you would like our help, fill out a support questionnaire and we will point you in the right direction.
Getting an accurate sample
Accurate results depend on collecting the sample properly. General guidance for a vaginal PCR swab like this:
In the 48 hours before collection:
- Finish any short-term prescribed medication (such as antibiotics) at least 24 hours before collecting the sample
- Avoid sexual intercourse
On the day of collection:
- Do not apply vaginal treatments, lotions, creams or emollients before taking the sample
- Do not wash your genital area beforehand
- Do not collect a sample while menstruating
It is best not to change any prescribed or regular medications or supplements without advice from a suitably qualified professional. Some medications and supplements can affect the results, so let your practitioner know what you are taking.
EcologiX versus a sequencing test like Juno
Neither approach is simply ‘better’ — they answer slightly different questions. A targeted PCR panel like the EcologiX quantifies a known list of organisms very precisely, which suits tracking specific bugs. A sequencing test like Juno reads the whole community and its relative balance, which is better for seeing the bigger ecological picture and catching things that are not on any pre-set list.2 These days we mostly use Juno, but the Invivo test remains a genuinely useful tool, especially where quantifying a specific organism is the goal.
This article is general information and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, please see an experienced practitioner.
- Coleman JS, Gaydos CA. Molecular Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis: an Update. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2018;56(9):e00342-18.
- Ravel J, Gajer P, Abdo Z, et al. Vaginal microbiome of reproductive-age women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2011;108(Suppl 1):4680–4687.
