A growing number of women are using at-home vaginal microbiome tests to monitor and improve their vaginal health, often motivated by recurring infections, fertility concerns, or curiosity.

Startups like TinyHealth, Evvy, Neueve, and Juno Bio offer kits that provide insight into the balance of 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in the vagina.

The tests have gained widespread attention after Silicon Valley entrepreneur Bryan Johnson publicly highlighted his girlfriend's high microbiome score.

While some women report relief from conditions like aerobic vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis after following test recommendations, experts caution that the vaginal microbiome is highly dynamic and influenced by factors like diet, sexual activity, menstruation, and race.There is limited research validating the long-term accuracy of these tests, and no at-home kits are FDA-approved.Despite potential benefits, frequent testing can induce anxiety and lead to unnecessary treatments that may disrupt the natural bacterial ecosystem.

The popularity of these products also reflects gaps in women’s health research and the desire for self-empowerment in a medical system that has historically neglected female-specific health issues.