Test Details
Lab Company: US BioTek
Sample Type: Vaginal Swab
Collection Location: At Home
This test is designed to assess key aspects of vaginal health, helping to identify common infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections (vulvovaginal candidiasis or VVC), and trichomoniasis (TV). This test is helpful for patients experiencing symptoms like unusual discharge, itching, irritation, or discomfort, offering valuable insight into potential causes and guiding appropriate treatment.
Key Details
🧪 You will collect two samples.
🩸 DO NOT collect your sample when you are menstruating.
💊 You must avoid certain medications for up to 7 days before sample collection.
❌ You must avoid certain activities for 24 hours before sample collection.
🚚 Ship your sample back to the lab as soon as possible after collection.
Preparation & Timing
DO NOT collect samples while menstruating.
Avoid the following medications for 7 days before sample collection.
Probiotics
Botanical antimicrobials
Botanical antifungals
Avoid the following medications for 2 days before sample collection.
Antibiotics
Antifungals
Avoid the following activities for 24 hours before sample collection.
Having sex
Washing your genital area
Applying vaginal lotions, creams, or emollients
Collection Instructions
Write the following information on the sample tubes.
Patient's full name
Date of collection
Complete the test requisition form.
Please ensure the name on your samples, requisition form, and Rupa order all match. You may be required to recollect your sample if they do not match.
Carefully open the swab in the envelope.
Grab the swab by the long white stick.
DO NOT touch the swab tip with your fingers.
DO NOT touch the swab tip to any surface.
Hold the swab at the indentation point on the stick.
Carefully insert the swab into your vagina until your fingers are touching your vulva.
If you have trouble inserting the swab or if you experience unexpected bleeding, consult your healthcare provider before continuing with the collection.
Gently rotate the swab clockwise 4 times around your vaginal wall.
Remove the swab from your vagina without touching the swab to your vulva.
Open the white-top tube.
Insert the swab into the white-top tube.
Hold the swab securely in the tube.
Gently snap the swab stick at the break point.
The tip of the swab should remain in the tube.
Seal the white-top tube tightly.
Place the white-top tube into the biohazard bag.
Carefully twist open the green-top tube to break the seal.
If the seal is already broken or if there is no swab in the tube, reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.
Hold the swab by the cap of the tube.
DO NOT touch the swab tip with your fingers.
DO NOT touch the swab tip to any surface.
Carefully insert the swab 2 inches into your vagina.
If the swab does not go in easily, gently rotate the swab as you insert it.
If you have trouble inserting the swab or if you experience unexpected bleeding, consult your healthcare provider before continuing with the collection.
Gently rotate the swab for 15 seconds around your vaginal wall.
Remove the swab from your vagina without touching the swab to your vulva.
Insert the swab into the green-top tube.
Hold the swab securely in the tube.
Gently snap the swab stick at the break point.
The tip of the swab should remain in the tube.
Seal the green-top tube tightly.
Place the green-top tube into the biohazard bag.
Seal the biohazard bag.
Requisition & Payment
Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
You must complete your requisition form and sent it back with your samples.
Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.
Please ensure the name on your samples, requisition form, and Rupa order all match. You may be required to recollect your sample if they do not match.
Shipping
Ship your samples back to the lab as soon as possible after collection.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the white-top tube into the biohazard bag.
Place the green-top tube into the biohazard bag.
Seal the biohazard bag.
Place the biohazard bag into the return shipping envelope.
Seal the return shipping envelope.
Make a note of the tracking number on the return label so you can track your sample back to the lab.
Consult the shipping label to see which shipping carrier to use.
Take your sample package to the nearest shipping location.
DO NOT place your sample in a drop box.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 7-10 business days after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.
More Resources
Questions?
Reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.