Re: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

[Guest guest]

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

See this site:

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=4722024

I personally think this test is a disaster for women, especially women like us with a chronic "unknown" disorder..

The site above says if the test doesn't show blue green - this would indicate "that the infection is likely due to yeast and an over-the-counter anti-fungal treatment may be considered."

LIKELY due to yeast is a poor diagnosis as we all know and this sort of has the article preaching out of both sides of its mouth because in the beginning of this article they write

" "Far too many women are misdiagnosing themselves and inappropriately self treating. They are looking for a quick fix with readily available over-the-counter treatments."

As we ladies know - there are often no answers as to why we itch or burn because nerve problems could be the cause - one of the Lichens, a dermatitis, herpes, HPV and so on.

This test upsets me because women will AUTOMATICALLY assume they have yeast if they test negative to the blue green stripe on the pantiliner and will damage their skin and spin in circles trying to fix themselves. I'm also upset because we know FOR CERTAIN that RARE yeasts are on the rise and OTC meds won't fix them.

This is a bad thing for women in my opinion.

Dusty

-----Original Message-----From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of TracieSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:04 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: RE: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

See this site:

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=4722024

I personally think this test is a disaster for women, especially women like us with a chronic "unknown" disorder..

The site above says if the test doesn't show blue green - this would indicate "that the infection is likely due to yeast and an over-the-counter anti-fungal treatment may be considered."

LIKELY due to yeast is a poor diagnosis as we all know and this sort of has the article preaching out of both sides of its mouth because in the beginning of this article they write

" "Far too many women are misdiagnosing themselves and inappropriately self treating. They are looking for a quick fix with readily available over-the-counter treatments."

As we ladies know - there are often no answers as to why we itch or burn because nerve problems could be the cause - one of the Lichens, a dermatitis, herpes, HPV and so on.

This test upsets me because women will AUTOMATICALLY assume they have yeast if they test negative to the blue green stripe on the pantiliner and will damage their skin and spin in circles trying to fix themselves. I'm also upset because we know FOR CERTAIN that RARE yeasts are on the rise and OTC meds won't fix them.

This is a bad thing for women in my opinion.

Dusty

-----Original Message-----From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of TracieSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:04 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: RE: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

See this site:

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=4722024

I personally think this test is a disaster for women, especially women like us with a chronic "unknown" disorder..

The site above says if the test doesn't show blue green - this would indicate "that the infection is likely due to yeast and an over-the-counter anti-fungal treatment may be considered."

LIKELY due to yeast is a poor diagnosis as we all know and this sort of has the article preaching out of both sides of its mouth because in the beginning of this article they write

" "Far too many women are misdiagnosing themselves and inappropriately self treating. They are looking for a quick fix with readily available over-the-counter treatments."

As we ladies know - there are often no answers as to why we itch or burn because nerve problems could be the cause - one of the Lichens, a dermatitis, herpes, HPV and so on.

This test upsets me because women will AUTOMATICALLY assume they have yeast if they test negative to the blue green stripe on the pantiliner and will damage their skin and spin in circles trying to fix themselves. I'm also upset because we know FOR CERTAIN that RARE yeasts are on the rise and OTC meds won't fix them.

This is a bad thing for women in my opinion.

Dusty

-----Original Message-----From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of TracieSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:04 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: RE: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

You can also get a $2 mail in rebate from the website

From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Tami SchneiderSent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 10:55 AMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

Hello,Im so excited! Im cutting out my coupons this morning and what do I find? a coupon for Fem V the new at home vaginal infection test. This is so great. There is a website with this and it says it lists a retailer near you on it. www.fem-v.com.Kind Regards, Tami

[Guest guest]

I'm not very impressed with this new test either. If it's the

same one I've seen on the commercials on tv I'm even more

disgusted. Which means that even more women will continue to

try and self treat the problem that they think is yeast when it

may not be or as Dusty says it could be a rarer strain of yeast

going on inside her body.

I would have to imagine that drs on the whole aren't going to be

too thrilled either.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm not very impressed with this new test either. If it's the

same one I've seen on the commercials on tv I'm even more

disgusted. Which means that even more women will continue to

try and self treat the problem that they think is yeast when it

may not be or as Dusty says it could be a rarer strain of yeast

going on inside her body.

I would have to imagine that drs on the whole aren't going to be

too thrilled either.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

HI all.....

I'm just curious as to why be so against that test for vaginal infections? I don't think I am.

At least from the stand point of knowing if it's a raised pH then it's not likely yeast and far too many assume it's yeast when it isn't.

All this is doing at least is letting you know if that blue-green color stain appears on the Fem-V test, the discharge has an elevated pH. and yeast doesn't live in that higher pH range but bacterial infections do.

And you'd only be testing yourself if you've got irritation and discharge in the first place, it's not something you'd use if you're feeling fine, so if it's not elevated it's more likely yeast.

And the most common strain is the candida one. Anyone who has them constantly and chronically of course should be checked out by their doctor to see if it's possibly an unusal strain. But there is one OTC brand that I'm aware of that is good for the rarer strains as well as candida ... it's the Vagistat (Tioconazole) it's a broad spectrum one even for the Glabrata strain and they have the one time use available to be inserted intravaginally.

So to 'me' and my way of thinking, it sure would prevent using an antifungal automatically if it's a bacterial infection. Not something I'd want to use if it was constant but sure better than nothing which is where far too many women use the wrong medication as it is now and bacterial infections are more prevalent than yeast ones.

Just 'my' thoughts on it... Just seems a quick easier way to tell which it might be, and if it's bacterial definitely get your butt to the doctor.

Am I wrong?

Dee~

_

[Guest guest]

Dee,

The test could give a false positive result. Even if I did use

a test like this I would still follow up with my dr to have a

culture to be on the safe side.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

For the rest of the time I was with that HMO, I never

again made an appointment to diagnose an infection.

Instead, I learned to rely on UTI test strips, pH

paper, a lighted magnifying mirror and unscented,

unmedicated soap (which can be used as a whiff test

for amines).

Zig,

Would you please explain how the soap figures into

your at-home whiff test?

Hollis

[Guest guest]

Most of us have irritation and many have discharge. The advertising on the

package and on the internet description of the product seem to indicate that if

you have the irritation it is likely to be either a vaginal infection, either

bacterial vaginosis or yeast. Of course that is not true. I don't think women

should be encouraged to use the OTC yeast med until they have been tested for

yeast, not just because they test negative for vaginal vaginosis.

Just my two cents.

Ora

[Guest guest]

I think, Dee, that this test will be very misleading to women. As the article says, if it isn't BV, it's "likely" yeast - women (the kind who will self treat) will use yeast meds on what may well NOT be yeast at all- but instead a herpes flare, a particularly messy irritating prolonged discharge caused by progesterone treatment (but not infectious), a Lichen disorder, a dermatitis problem or, heaven forbid a systemic problem such as a cancer - or one of the ghazillion other things that go wrong with us.

Besides that, I think its rather insulting - as if having the doc diagnose the problem is a waste of his time!

Then there is, of course, the problem with semen, urine, blood etc getting on the stripe and causing a misread.

How many gals will end up in agony because they will assume the negative result means they have yeast and they treat themselves reapeatedly for a yeast they may well not have, or which cannot be cured by OTC ?

I've been on your list since 2002 and the SINGLE MOST COMMON belief held by women when they get here is that they are CONVINCED they have yeast and have been self treating and if they can clear up the yeast they'll be better. Allowing self treating of yeasts was a mistake to begin with in my opinion.

It isn't as if a yeast infection is a clear cut "here are the ONLY symptoms you can have" scenario. Some get itching, some don't, some get cottage cheese, some don't, some get NO symptoms - but their mates are itchy and so on. For a gal to be diagnosing herself is wrong I think - and leads us poor souls, in the end, to lists like this one - because we have so damaged our skin, our insides etc.

Just my opinion.

BTW welcome back - glad your computer is fixed. I'll update you soon on my sweating problems, if your interested.

Dusty

-----Original Message-----From: VulvarDisorders [mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of DeeTrollSent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 3:36 PMTo: VulvarDisorders Subject: Re: New At Home Vaginal Infection Test

HI all.....

I'm just curious as to why be so against that test for vaginal infections? I don't think I am.

At least from the stand point of knowing if it's a raised pH then it's not likely yeast and far too many assume it's yeast when it isn't.

All this is doing at least is letting you know if that blue-green color stain appears on the Fem-V test, the discharge has an elevated pH. and yeast doesn't live in that higher pH range but bacterial infections do.

And you'd only be testing yourself if you've got irritation and discharge in the first place, it's not something you'd use if you're feeling fine, so if it's not elevated it's more likely yeast.

And the most common strain is the candida one. Anyone who has them constantly and chronically of course should be checked out by their doctor to see if it's possibly an unusal strain. But there is one OTC brand that I'm aware of that is good for the rarer strains as well as candida ... it's the Vagistat (Tioconazole) it's a broad spectrum one even for the Glabrata strain and they have the one time use available to be inserted intravaginally.

So to 'me' and my way of thinking, it sure would prevent using an antifungal automatically if it's a bacterial infection. Not something I'd want to use if it was constant but sure better than nothing which is where far too many women use the wrong medication as it is now and bacterial infections are more prevalent than yeast ones.

Just 'my' thoughts on it... Just seems a quick easier way to tell which it might be, and if it's bacterial definitely get your butt to the doctor.

Am I wrong?

Dee~

_

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee, I guess it depends on how they word the negative result. If the ph is elevated then that is a + result for BV so one should go to the dr. But if it is negative, yeast can't be ruled out but they are wrong to imply that then it is yeast. It could be so much else. One could try an OTC cream under the belief that they are trying it to see if it would help, but it is not a positive result for yeast. WHat we really need someday is a home test to positively detect yeast. SOme Day!!! Sandi

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Dee, I'm not opposed to the idea of a home test; in

fact, I think it's long overdue. However, this

particular one is overpriced and overhyped for what it

actually does--measure the pH of your vaginal

secretions. I think it would successfully rule out a

bacterial infection, but the premise it's selling is

that everything that isn't BV is yeast--a fallacy that

could lead to unnecessary and irritating OTC

treatments.

I also dislike the " dumbed-down " pantyliner collection

system. (Like women are too stupid or repulsed to swab

a sample of their own discharge.)

Like many women with vulvar problems, I find that

pantyliners are a no-no, and this test requires you to

wear one for six hours, with a pH strip attached to

it, no less. I'm wincing just thinking about it!

Zig

[Guest guest]

I agree with every point except one, Dusty, that being

" as if having the doc diagnose the problem is a waste

of his time! "

Especially for those of us with frequent infections,

running to the doctor repeatedly is impractical and

expensive. It's even worse if you're a victim of

managed health care.

Some years ago, when I was an HMO patient, I had a

raging, terribly uncomfortable infection of some sort.

It was shortly after legislators declared that every

woman should have the right to make an appointment

directly with a gynecologist rather than having to be

referred by her primary care doctor. So I called the

HMO's gyno department, and was told I could see the

doctor....in SIX WEEKS! But--not to worry--the NP was

available in ONLY TWO WEEKS!

Not being able to stand the misery for that long, I

opted for a next-day appointment with an unfamiliar

GP. When I showed up, he disdainfully announced, " I

don't DO pelvics. " So he ended up writing a

prescription for Terazol based on my description of

the symptoms. Not surprisingly, it didn't work.

So I ended up waiting it out for the gyno, who

diagnosed BV. During the visit, I mentioned that I

thought I might also have a UTI. She told me, " I'm not

supposed to handle those; you have to see a GP. " She

finally did order a urine culture, muttering all the

while that she was going to " get in trouble " for doing

so.

I'm not kidding; all this actually happened!

For the rest of the time I was with that HMO, I never

again made an appointment to diagnose an infection.

Instead, I learned to rely on UTI test strips, pH

paper, a lighted magnifying mirror and unscented,

unmedicated soap (which can be used as a whiff test

for amines). With these, I can usually confirm yeast

or BV. (However, since the onset of menopause, LS and

VVD, it's usually been " something else. " )

IMO there is a need for a good home test, if only

because so many women are denied adequate and timely

health care. Some don't even HAVE insurance, and a

doctor's appointment plus prescription can cost the

equivalent of a week's paycheck.

Zig

[Guest guest]

ummm thanks.

I see what you mean Dusty, Ora, Sandi, Kristy and others..... but ....but... but most of the other things you mentioned don't have a typical burning or itching discharge.

Generally ''I' would think if one had a copious amt. of discharge that is bothersome or irritating, it's one of two things. It's usually yeast OR else it's bacterial, and possibly viral, which would even include STD's like gonorrhea and chlamydia, etc.and they I believe are all at a higher value pH, even viruses like Herpes, HPV, have a higher pH, even AIDS I think. So for any of the bacterial ones (and likely viral) you have to see a physician. The test is not to define any of the others or to diagnose them... but to let you know it's 'not' likely yeast. (or it is)

Herpes doesn't have a typical 'vaginal' discharge (and its' pH level is high even if it did (say with vaginal H) , LS doesn't or dermatitis doesn't. See what I mean? It's the vaginal discharge that's being tested (with ''symptoms'' remember) and the test is looking for the pH value and I just think women will use those OTC yeast meds anyway (look at the tremendous sales) when they really shouldn't IF it's a bacterial infection of 'any' kind, (and likely viral) that's where the doctor comes in.

And so many of them won't even go to a doctor to be tested and assume it's yeast so it's an edge of sorts to me. It's not the perfect solution by far I agree but it's dealing with what 'is', not what's desired in a perfect society.

So I still think it's better than nothing being out there and a woman assuming it's yeast, then using one of the yeast meds, when it's as likely not.

But again (to me) it's only a woman who does have that discharge that is causing her symptoms (pain, burning, inflammation, itch etc.) AND with a low pH, AND symptoms, so with those 3 things, ( copious discharge, lower pH and symptoms) I can't think of what else it might be except yeast.

I'll probably go "OH YEAH" after you tell me *chuckle*. As far as the Progesterone and discharge you had Dusty, I've no idea where that pH might be but guessing I'd say higher than normal too.

I'm only considering the discharge, not the condition of the skin here. Just a difference of opinion as to what the purpose of the test is for, and to me it's to help prevent the overuse of the yeast meds (which many will do anyway, test or not). If it's not yeast then of course a physician must be consulted to diagnose whatever else it may be.

About your sweating problem? Yes indeed, let me know, did you figure that out? Is that still happening? I sure hope not.

Hugs,

Dee~

[Guest guest]

HI Zig,

I hadn't seen your post yet when I wrote, but also agree with what you mentioned about the cost which many won't do or can't as far as running to the doctors office all the time (let alone trying to get in immediately) and the wearing of that mini pad isn't the best for sure. But like you I think the ''idea'' of the test is a good one for what it's for. Just needs to be improved.

Dee~

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I went to Rite Aid and got it. It was $7

and it's with the douches and stuff. I dont need to

use it yet, but it's nice to have on hand.

Kind Regards, Tami

--- Zigmissus wrote:

> I agree with every point except one, Dusty, that

> being

> " as if having the doc diagnose the problem is a

> waste

> of his time! "

>

> Especially for those of us with frequent infections,

> running to the doctor repeatedly is impractical and

> expensive. It's even worse if you're a victim of

> managed health care.

>

> Some years ago, when I was an HMO patient, I had a

> raging, terribly uncomfortable infection of some

> sort.

> It was shortly after legislators declared that every

> woman should have the right to make an appointment

> directly with a gynecologist rather than having to

> be

> referred by her primary care doctor. So I called the

> HMO's gyno department, and was told I could see the

> doctor....in SIX WEEKS! But--not to worry--the NP

> was

> available in ONLY TWO WEEKS!

>

> Not being able to stand the misery for that long, I

> opted for a next-day appointment with an unfamiliar

> GP. When I showed up, he disdainfully announced, " I

> don't DO pelvics. " So he ended up writing a

> prescription for Terazol based on my description of

> the symptoms. Not surprisingly, it didn't work.

>

> So I ended up waiting it out for the gyno, who

> diagnosed BV. During the visit, I mentioned that I

> thought I might also have a UTI. She told me, " I'm

> not

> supposed to handle those; you have to see a GP. " She

> finally did order a urine culture, muttering all the

> while that she was going to " get in trouble " for

> doing

> so.

>

> I'm not kidding; all this actually happened!

>

> For the rest of the time I was with that HMO, I

> never

> again made an appointment to diagnose an infection.

> Instead, I learned to rely on UTI test strips, pH

> paper, a lighted magnifying mirror and unscented,

> unmedicated soap (which can be used as a whiff test

> for amines). With these, I can usually confirm yeast

> or BV. (However, since the onset of menopause, LS

> and

> VVD, it's usually been " something else. " )

>

> IMO there is a need for a good home test, if only

> because so many women are denied adequate and timely

> health care. Some don't even HAVE insurance, and a

> doctor's appointment plus prescription can cost the

> equivalent of a week's paycheck.

>

> Zig

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Im sure you could actually just swab your own

vaginal secretion and wip it on the panty liner?

Kind Regards, Tami

--- Zigmissus wrote:

> Dee, I'm not opposed to the idea of a home test; in

> fact, I think it's long overdue. However, this

> particular one is overpriced and overhyped for what

> it

> actually does--measure the pH of your vaginal

> secretions. I think it would successfully rule out a

> bacterial infection, but the premise it's selling is

> that everything that isn't BV is yeast--a fallacy

> that

> could lead to unnecessary and irritating OTC

> treatments.

>

> I also dislike the " dumbed-down " pantyliner

> collection

> system. (Like women are too stupid or repulsed to

> swab

> a sample of their own discharge.)

>

> Like many women with vulvar problems, I find that

> pantyliners are a no-no, and this test requires you

> to

> wear one for six hours, with a pH strip attached to

> it, no less. I'm wincing just thinking about it!

>

> Zig

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

It would be hard to swab one's own vaginal discharge unless you

had a very long q-tip like swab like they have at the dr's

office. Also, wiping it on the pantyliner would mess with the

lab's ability to see what was going on with that discharge.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Then why bother with the pantyliner? The active

ingredient is the pH strip imbedded in it. An $8 roll

of pH paper will do the same thing and give you about

25 uses instead of one.

Using a Q-tip (and a mirror) should work fine--you

only have to obtain the sample from a little way

inside you. This test isn't meant to be read by a lab;

you're supposed to look for color changes yourself.

Zig

[Guest guest]

Zig,

There will be women even with this test that are not going to

know what to look for in relation to changes as far as color.

Let me give you an example of what I mean.

Long before I went on the pill I would have clear colored

discharge up until it was time for me to ovulate so I knew to

expect some yellowish coloring and then it disappeared. Well,

when I went on the pill, especially with the way that I have

taken it for my endometriosis I get yellowish discharge all the

time and one of the reasons I do is b/c of the hormones that are

in the pill, and even with the medication I have been on for the

past 3 months after I had my surgery to check the status of my

endometriosis yes, I've gotten yellowish discharge. But b/c of

the way it is yellow I was afraid I had an infection going on.

I did not.

But aside from that when I get infections I can't fully rely on

the discharge. I get all kinds of other symptoms that indicate

infection to me. So this test wouldn't be beneficial to me in

addition to the possible false positives that could occur, and

for other reasons such as expense.

As for using a mirror, you can't see further up inside your

vagina with it to get a culture. You can only see the outside

of the vagina with it and the discharge coming from it to the

outside and one would have to take from that.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I see what you mean Kristy. For some women, the

instruction booklet that comes with the test will be

educational, even though the pantyliner is nothing but

a gussied-up pH strip. That's why I think groups such

as this one are so helpful, because women learn how to

" read " their bodies' signs, and not be mystified or

repulsed by them.

I find it is possible to swab further up the vagina by

using clean fingers to spread the opening. I actually

have a speculum that was given to me during a visit to

a Women's Health Center, but I don't use it any more

since I've developed some atrophy. (Nowadays, every

visit to the gyno is followed by a day or two of

spotting.)

Not only does going on the pill affect things, but

just wait until menopause--all the rules about

discharge and infections change! Especially with LS,

I've had to " relearn " a whole new pardigm of signs and

symptoms. For instance, itching and a white discharge

don't automatically mean yeast!

Zig