What is yeast infection?

Vaginal yeast infections, also called vaginal candidiasis, are prevalent in women. It is estimated that 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge, and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva — the tissues at the vaginal opening. Although it is very common to treat yeast infections, the symptoms of yeast infections are similar to other, more serious conditions, including sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (bacterial overgrowth in the vagina). Therefore an accurate diagnosis is important before you use any over-the-counter treatment products.

What is urinary tract infections or UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. It is one of the most common infections in humans. Women tend to get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. Women’s urethra (the opening to your urinary tract) is shorter than men’s and is located near the rectum. A simple UTI can be treated with a short course of antibiotic meds, but a UTI complication can lead to more serious consequences. The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra:

• Infection of the bladder (cystitis) is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.

What is bacterial vaginosis or BV?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection of the vagina that happens when there are too many certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. A type of bacteria called lactobacillus keeps your vagina slightly acidic, so bad bacteria don't grow well. If your lactobacillus levels drop, more bad bacteria move in, and you get BV. Women in their reproductive years are most likely to get bacterial vaginosis, but it can affect women of any age. The cause isn't completely understood, but certain activities, such as unprotected sex or frequent douching, increase your risk. About half of the time, women with BV have no symptoms. But if a symptom develops, it can be:

• Burning feeling when you pee

What other common GYN exams I should to know about?

During a gynecologist visit, a doctor might ask questions related to private topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to menopause. Common exams may include thyroid gland check, breast examination, and a pelvic examination. The pelvic examination includes the following:

• External reproductive organs

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, a common virus that can infect many parts of the body. There are more than 100 different strains of HPV, grouped into (i) high-risk types (may cause cancer) and (ii) low-risk types (non-cancer causing).

• About 40 HPV strains can infect the genital area.

Why do I need to schedule an online consultation before receiving my home-based screening kit?

The mandatory online consultation is for our doctor to check in with you on your health history and answer any questions you may have regarding the self-sampling process.

How to mail-in my self-collected sample?

You can schedule sample pick up through our schedule link or WhatsApp. The self-collected sample should be returned within 24 hours after collection to ensure better quality results.

How long will it take for me to receive my screening results?

The screening time varies per screening service:

• Cervical Cancer Kit –– 2-3 business days

How would I get my screening results?

Results will be delivered to you with full privacy. Once your results are ready, our partner clinic will reach out to deliver them to you. Your results will be between you and the doctors.

How would I know if my results are accurate?

All samples and screening results with be reviewed by our partner clinic. A free doctor consultation is included with every kit purchase, so if you have any questions about your results, you could get in touch with our doctor through the tele-consultation service. Our products and services are provided in partnership with The Health Advisory Clinice, Helix Aesthetics and Medical Clinic, and iDOC Clinic.