For this post, I interviewed Antonette DeCrescenzo one of the founders of JustGetTested.org. I was very interested in the testing for vaginal infections like yeast or bacterial vaginosis as the two can be confused and oftentimes, women will get over-the-counter treatment for yeast, when they actually have a bacterial infection and this won’t make it go away. I feel like we are moving into a whole new realm of health care, now with telemedicine being used for example. Having the ability to test yourself at home, and then get the proper treatment is a game-changer. For me, it’s about easy accessibility, and getting quick results. Every woman who has had a vaginal infection knows how damn annoying, painful, and uncomfortable it is and we want to get rid of it ASAP!
Dr. Betito: Thank you for joining us here at the Pornhub Sexual Wellness Center, Antonette. I love the idea of being able to test yourself to determine what’s going on in the vagina. I often get questions from women who think they have a yeast infection, get some over-the-counter cream, only to discover they were treating the wrong thing. I want to hear more about JustGetTested.org, which, like us is a kind of sexual health and wellness hub. I see that you focus on at-home testing kits delivered directly to the consumer. How does this work and who are these kits for?
Antonette: Thank you so much for this opportunity Dr. Betito! Yes, here at JustGetTested we have several at-home testing panels to choose from. These kits are very easy to use, it is a simple vaginal swab at home that will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Delivered quickly and discreetly. These kits are for females that want to “JustGetTested” without waiting for the next available appointment at their local OBGYN. JustGetTested on your own time, at your own convenience as many times as you need it without the embarrassment of explaining your lifestyle to anyone.
Dr. Betito: So what exactly can you test for? Is it just as reliable as any other lab? How do I get my results and how long does it take?
Antonette: JustGetTested offers a wide range of tests depending on your lifestyle. Our testing panels include: HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Bacterial Vaginosis, Candida (yeast), Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, Trichomoniasis, and more. Testing for these common STIs should be done anytime you change partners or have any unusual symptoms. Yes, JustGetTested is very reliable. JGT was created by medical experts and always overviewed by our JGT OBGYN. We want to make self-testing easy for you. Everything you need to administer the test will arrive quickly and discreetly at your doorstep with a 36-hour lab turnover time. (this is very quick!) plus, we will call you directly with your results.
Dr. Betito: Let’s talk about Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
Antonette: Each person’s vaginal ecosystem is made up differently and is as diverse as its owner. Staying in tune with your vaginal health can help you be insightful, proactive, and infection-free. If the overall feeling down there just seems off this could be a sign of an infection. One of the most common reasons people seek gynecological care is because they keep having recurrent vaginal infections. Yeast infections and Bacterial vaginosis (BV) are both a form of vaginitis and are alike in some ways. Yeast infections are fungal and are a direct cause of an overgrowth of Candida fungus. BV on the other hand is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. You can have one of these or a combination of the two. Both cause discharge, irritation, and pain.
Dr. Betito: Vaginas are self-cleaning organs, but that doesn’t mean they can just clear infections if they appear. Many women are plagued by recurrent infections, sometimes because they go untreated. What do you want to tell these women?
Antonette: Many women self-diagnose and self-treat telling themselves it “should clear up in a few days” which it can and some of the time it does. When you leave your vagina alone it is able to rebalance. But what if it doesn’t? What if you have been patiently waiting weeks, eating a good diet, abstaining from sex, only wearing cotton panties. And it’s still there! The smell…the discharge…the return of Vaginitis! Making an appointment at your local OBGYN office takes time and they always seem booked out for months! Your symptoms are affecting you NOW and you want to act fast.
Some bacteria in the vaginal ecosystem when they’re present can make recurrent vaginitis or reoccurring infections more likely. It is necessary to find out which microorganism is present because some of these Microorganisms actually create a mucous membrane that protects the bacteria that’s causing these terrible symptoms, to begin with, making it even tougher to treat. This is why one-step treatments may not work, with probiotics or other over-the-counter medications not giving you the relief you need. The name of one of these bacteria is called Megasphaera. It’s an associate anaerobe that can actually facilitate BV. Getting rid of all the bacteria with at-home remedies and starting with a “clean slate” may give temporary relief, however, this is not the answer long term because it just irritates things even further.
Dr. Betito: So what is the solution? Can you test for these particular bacteria? It seems that your body is fighting to keep this bacteria around…. how annoying! How can JustGetTested help?
Antonette: Firstly, we need to find out exactly what is going on in your particular vaginal ecosystem. Luckily, this can be done in the comfort of your own home with JustGetTested. The MDL vaginitis panel can be ordered at www.justgettested.org. Once your kit arrives, collect your specimen and send it back to our lab. From here we will be able to determine what kind of vaginitis is present as well as which microorganisms are present that are making your infection recurrent. Here at JustGetTested, we go above and beyond just simply testing for infection. Because we know that once we understand the ecology of the vagina we are able to treat it more effectively and prevent the vaginitis from returning.
Dr. Betito: It’s good to know that people who suffer from Bacterial Vaginosis or recurrent infections are not alone, that it is actually more common than we thought. Clearly, it’s tough to fight back this bacteria. Having a good understanding of the vaginal ecosystem helps us be patient with ourselves as we heal. Thank you for joining us here at the Pornhub Sexual Wellness Center, Antonette.
Antonette: Yes, we should never be shy about our sexual healthcare! Also, did you know that more than half of Americans are diagnosed with an STD or an STI at some point in their lives! I think it’s important to remove the stigma around STIs and seeking sexual health care. To order one of our at-home JGT kits visit us at www.justgettested.org. Thank you for having me, Dr. Betito.