What Is the Best At-Home Yeast Infection Test?

Yeast infections are one of the most common vaginal infections, affecting millions of people with vaginas each year. While they’re often easily treatable, determining whether a vaginal yeast infection is the cause of your symptoms can sometimes feel like a guessing game. 

Fortunately, at-home testing options are making it easier than ever to get answers quickly and accurately without waiting for a doctor’s appointment. An at-home yeast infection test is a convenient and affordable option. It lets you test for yeast infections in the comfort and privacy of your home. This testing can help determine if your vaginal symptoms might be due to an infection.

Let’s dive into how yeast infections are diagnosed, and how to find the best at-home vaginal health test out there.

What is a yeast infection?

In case you need a refresher, a yeast infection, medically known as vaginal candidiasis, occurs when there is an overgrowth of Candida — a type of fungus that naturally lives in the vagina. Under normal circumstances, the good bacteria in the vagina (like Lactobacillus) keep Candida levels in check. However, imbalances in the vaginal environment can allow yeast to multiply, leading to infection.

Common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

• Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva
• A thick, white vaginal discharge (often described as resembling cottage cheese)
• Redness, swelling, or discomfort around the vaginal area
• Burning sensations during urination or sex

While these symptoms are typical of a yeast infection, they can overlap with other vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is why testing is crucial to identify the root cause of your symptoms.

How is a yeast infection diagnosed?

Traditionally, diagnosing a vaginal yeast infection involves an in-office visit with a healthcare provider. During the exam, your provider may:

• Review your symptoms and medical history.
• Perform a pelvic exam to check for redness, swelling, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
• Collect a vaginal sample to examine under a microscope or send it to a lab for a NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test). 

While this method is reliable, it requires scheduling an appointment, making time for a clinic visit, and waiting for results — which isn’t always ideal when you’re dealing with uncomfortable symptoms (and life, in general). 

How to test for a vaginal yeast infection at home

If you’re experiencing symptoms and want quick answers without the hassle of an office visit, at-home testing can be a great option. At-home tests are designed to help you identify what’s causing your discomfort, whether it’s a vaginal yeast infection or something else.

Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test offers a comprehensive look at your vaginal microbiome, including the presence of Candida species associated with yeast infections. Here’s how it works:

1. Order the test: The kit is delivered discreetly to your door.
2. Easy sample collection: Use the sterile cotton swab provided to collect a sample of vaginal fluid — a quick and painless process, not that different than inserting a tampon.
3. Send it back: Mail your sample back to Evvy’s affiliate lab using the pre-paid envelope.
4. Get your results: Within days, you’ll receive detailed results explaining what’s going on in your vaginal microbiome.

This process is not only convenient but also gives you a clear understanding of whether a vaginal yeast infection is to blame or if something else may be at play.

How to choose the best at-home yeast infection test

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping around for a yeast infection test: 

• Price
• The technology used
• How long test results take
• Aftercare and treatment
• Whether a physician reviews your results
• Whether the labs they use are CLIA certified (and other certifications).

Why choose Evvy to test for a yeast infection?

Admittedly, we might be biased — but when it comes to at-home vaginal health testing, Evvy stands out for several reasons. Here are a few reasons why Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test is an excellent choice:

1. Accurate results

Evvy uses advanced metagenomic sequencing technology to analyze your vaginal flora at a DNA level. This means it can detect even low levels of Candida species, giving you a precise and accurate understanding of whether a vaginal yeast infection is present. Unlike a vaginal pH test or simple over-the-counter kits, Evvy doesn’t just guess — it provides actionable, science-backed insights.

2. Comprehensive insights

Yeast infections are just one piece of the vaginal health puzzle. Evvy’s test identifies the full range of bacteria and fungi in your vaginal microbiome, helping you understand if imbalances like bacterial vaginosis, cytolytic vaginosis, or other vaginal infections might be contributing to your symptoms. Evvy’s Expanded PCR Panel can also test for four of the most common sexually transmitted infections, which often cause similar symptoms to a yeast infection. This comprehensive approach ensures you’re not left guessing or treating the wrong condition.

4. Personalized results and treatment

Beyond just telling you what’s there, Evvy provides clear, easy-to-understand results and actionable steps you can take. Eligible users can also access personalized prescription treatment programs developed by a provider. After you take an Evvy test, a provider will review your results and develop an appropriate treatment program, which may include prescription medication, Evvy’s Rx Symptom Relief products, and more, depending on your results and health history. Our partner pharmacy specially formulates each prescription with medical-grade ingredients you can’t get over the counter and ships them right to your door. 

5. Certifications

When it comes to choosing a vaginal yeast infection test, it’s super important to think about the certifications of the lab that processes your results. The quality of the lab can really make a difference in accurately diagnosing, treating, and managing your health.

Certifications are a great way to gauge whether a lab meets quality standards and follows regulatory guidelines. One important standard to look for is the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, which ensures that patient test results in certified labs are accurate, reliable, and timely. If your at-home test is CLIA-certified, you can rest easy knowing it meets those strict federal standards, giving you more confidence in your results.

Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test is the first CLIA-validated metagenomic vaginal microbiome test in the world. This test is done in a lab that’s certified not only by CLIA but also by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP). Plus, your results are reviewed by both a lab director and a healthcare provider, so you can feel assured about the findings.

FAQ

How can I test for a yeast infection at home?

If you suspect you have a yeast infection, at-home testing can help you identify whether Candida overgrowth is the cause of your symptoms. Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test is a highly accurate and reliable option for testing at home, as it uses advanced metagenomic sequencing to analyze your vaginal flora in detail. The process is simple: you collect a vaginal sample using the provided swab, send it to Evvy’s CLIA-certified lab, and receive comprehensive results within days. The test identifies yeast species, including Candida, alongside other microbes, helping you determine whether a vaginal yeast infection or another condition might be responsible for your symptoms. With Evvy’s detailed insights and clinically validated technology, you can better understand your vaginal health and take informed steps toward treatment and recovery.

How do I 100% know if I have a yeast infection?

To 100% confirm whether you have a yeast infection, you need a test that can accurately detect the presence of Candida species, the fungi responsible for yeast infections. While symptoms like vaginal itching, burning, and unusual discharge can point to a yeast infection, they often overlap with other conditions like bacterial vaginosis or chlamydia. The most reliable way to know for sure is through a clinical test, either performed at a doctor’s office or with an at-home test like Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test. Evvy’s test provides a comprehensive analysis of your vaginal microbiome, including identifying Candida levels, so you can confirm whether a vaginal yeast infection is the cause of your symptoms and take the appropriate steps for treatment.

What test confirms a yeast infection?

The test that confirms a yeast infection is one that accurately detects the presence of Candida species, the fungi responsible for yeast overgrowth. A vaginal swab test, analyzed in a lab, is the most reliable method for diagnosis. Traditional clinical testing involves a healthcare provider collecting a sample of vaginal fluid, which is then examined under a microscope or cultured to check for yeast. For a convenient and accurate at-home option, Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test uses advanced metagenomic sequencing to identify yeast species, including Candida, as well as other microbes in your vaginal microbiome. 

Can you tell if you have a yeast infection from a pee test?

A urine test isn’t typically used to diagnose a vaginal yeast infection. While urine tests can detect certain infections, like urinary tract infections (UTIs), they’re not designed to identify the Candida overgrowth responsible for yeast infections. Vaginal swab tests are the gold standard for diagnosing yeast infections because they directly assess the vaginal microbiome, where yeast overgrowth occurs. Tests like Evvy’s Vaginal Health Test are specifically designed to identify Candida species and provide detailed insights into your vaginal health, making them a far more reliable option than urine tests for diagnosing a yeast infection.