The 4 Best At-Home Vaginal pH Tests for Yeast Infection Detection

Yeast infection is relatively common. Approximately 75 percent of Trusted Source women have experienced one at least once. Although they can be uncomfortable, they’re usually easy to resolve.

However, the first step is to identify them before you treat them.

The diagnosis of vaginal infections is not difficult for a doctor. That’s probably your best bet because a doctor can test to see whether you have a yeast infection.

But if it’s impossible for you to get to a provider right away, you may consider an at-home vaginal pH test. These over-the-counter (OTC) tests measure the acidity in your vaginal secretions. secretionsTrusted Source. They can’t tell you for certain if you have a yeast infection, but they can help you rule out other diseases.

Our favorite at-home vaginal pH tests at a glance

• Best over-the-counter vaginal pH balance test: CVS Health Feminine Screening Kit for Vaginal Infections
• Most straightforward vaginal pH test reading: Natureland Vaginal pH Test
• Best discreet vaginal pH test: Stix Vaginal pH Tests
• Best cheap vaginal pH test PGYARD Vaginal pH Test

Pricing guide

The at-home vaginal with a ph test is a fairly cheap test. You can easily purchase them online or pick some up at your nearest drugstore.

$ = under $12

$$ = $12–$15

$$$ = over $15

The best vaginal pH tests Healthline’s picks for the best vaginal pH tests

Best drugstore: vaginal pH test

Feminine Screening Kit for Vaginal Infections CVS Health

Price: $$$

At your local drugstore, there is a cheap and effective pH test. This CVS kit contains two swabs and gives you a negative or positive in seconds if your vaginal pH is wrong.

Reviewers have also said it helped them determine if they needed to see their gynecologist for treatment. However, they each say they wish there were more swabs for the price of the kit.

Like any over-the-counter at-home vaginal pH test, it’s important to know that this test won’t be able to tell you definitively that you have a yeast infection.

Simplest vaginal pH color change to read

Natureland Vaginal pH Test

Price: $$

This kit contains 40 strips to measure the pH of your vaginal secretions. It’s easy to use and read and has enough strips if you mess up your first test. These strips come prepared in single packets, making them convenient to carry and store.

Users appreciate that the rainbow chart for these strips is easy to read and results come up fast. One reviewer who constantly monitored her pH level said this kit was great for determining whether her level improved with her treatments.

Best discreet vaginal pH test

Stix Vaginal pH Tests

Price: $

Delivery Stix delivers to the home and is urologist-approved. Women designed this kit for women.

Kits are delivered to your door in a discreet box, and results are available in minutes.

Each kit includes two test swabs and easy-to-use instructions. The brand also offers subscription options for individuals needing to check their pH levels regularly.

Reviews indicate that the tests are a hit among customers who suffer from frequent yeast infections and want an affordable option. Many others like that the test is discreet and there’s no need to go regularly to their pharmacy.

Best cheap vaginal pH test

PGYARD Vaginal pH Test

Price: $$

This kit includes 50 strips—10 strips per pack — and is simple for those needing to test their pH levels regularly. Results can be easily read with the help of the chart provided with the kit.

Readers susceptible to BV (bacterial vaginosis) and yeast infections say they successfully used this kit and that it was accurate when they felt an infection coming on.

This kit is also used by those with diabetes who need to monitor Candida, and they also report that it is beneficial to their monitoring.

When should you get tested for a yeast infection?

Some symptoms that you might have if you have a yeast infection:

• burning
• itching
• vaginal discharge that is thick, white, or yellow

If you have any of these symptoms, getting tested for a candida infection would be wise. If this is the first infection you have ever had, you should see a doctor, and if self-treatment has not improved your condition, see a doctor as well.

If you don’t have the opportunity to see a doctor immediately, you can try testing whether your vaginal pH levels are out of whack with an at-home pH kit.

What to expect from a yeast infection test

A yeast infection can be uncomfortable, and if you’ve had one before, you might not want to see a doctor.

The most definitive way to find out if you have a yeast infection is a test from your doctor. The doctor uses a cotton swab to collect the sample. They will then look for signs of infection when they examine the sample under a microscope.

If you take an at-home pH test, you’ll use one of the pH strips in the kit and hold it against your vaginal wall for a few seconds. Then, you’ll compare the strip’s color to the chart accompanying your kit. This will let you know whether your pH level might be off, although it won’t be able to confirm whether you have a yeast infection.

Yeast infection test: What do you do after the results?

If you believe you have a yeast infection after taking an at-home pH test, you can treat yourself with over-the-counter medications such as miconazole and clotrimazole.

Over-the-counter calamine lotion or 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment can relieve vulvar itching. After doing all that, switching to cotton or another breathable type of underwear could help avoid making it worse, she says.

If a doctor diagnoses you, they may be able to prescribe medication, or you might opt for OTC medication. Someone with recurring candidiasis may be treated differently. For example, your physician may order a fungal culture or prescribe a stronger medication.

Yeast infection test FAQs

Is there an at-home test for yeast infection?

No. Home tests do not work with yeast infections. They’ll let you know if your vaginal pH is normal.

Remember that a high pH is not necessarily a sign of infection. A low or normal pH doesn’t mean there’s no infection. The most definitive way to find out if you have a yeast infection is, quite simply, to check with a doctor.

How do doctors test for C. albicans yeast infections?

A vaginitis test is usually done when testing for infection. They will take a sample of your vaginal discharge with a swab and inspect it under a microscope.

This test is the best way to determine whether you have a yeast infection, another type of infection, like BV, or an STI, like chlamydia or trichomoniasis.

Can you take yeast infection medication without getting tested by a doctor first?

You can self-treat a yeast infection if you’ve had one before and are sure that’s what you have. It is also okay if you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection before and your symptoms are the same.

But if you have a severe infection, you should see a doctor. Not all itches or discharges are due to yeast infections. Make an in-person appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. If your symptoms are bad, you can use OTC miconazole while waiting for your appointment.

How did we pick the best vaginal pH test end while?

We also checked in on trustworthy brands with good reviews from users who have followed through with using the equipment. We also factored in how easy it is to take these tests and how fast you get the results.

And like I said, these tests won’t be able to tell you for sure if you have a yeast infection. Instead, they’ll alert you to whether your pH is out of whack.

Yeast infections generally have low pH levels, but other infections, like BV, have high pH levels. If you’re unsure if the infection is to blame, you doctors should seek an official diagnosis from a doctor.

Takeaway

Let’s say you have realized you might have what could be a yeast infection. In such a case, it’s worth noting that even if some home remedies are recommended, the best treatment, in most scenarios, is an oral medication like fluconazole. Fluconazole is also an ingredient in the Diflucan brand.

The one thing to note is, “Cost-wise, this drug is substantially cheaper, about $3,” says Sherry Ross, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. It’s important to remember that home tests can provide some information, but they are far from perfect in painting a complete picture of the symptoms you may be experiencing. Only so much can these tests tell you what might be driving this pain.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications applied to the vaginal area and inserted into the vagina, such as Monistat (miconazole) and AZO Yeast (contains an antifungal but is by no means a cure for yeast), can be purchased without a prescription. But it’s important to understand that more severe yeast infections often require prescription-strength drugs to treat the disease successfully. Sometimes, a more potent drug is needed to treat infection properly.

You should speak to a medical doctor or qualified healthcare professional if you have an infection. It is important to seek medical advice to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Of course, it helps to consult with a doctor so you receive the right treatment for your individual case and the severity of the infection. We encourage you to seek medical attention immediately to avoid the spread or complication of the disease.