Vaginal self-test in Geneva | Santelle in pharmacies

When you start experiencing itching, irritation, or simply the feeling that something has changed, the first reaction is often to book an appointment with a doctor.

And that is obviously a very good option.

But it is not the only one.

In Geneva, if you have vaginal discomfort and do not really know where to turn, you can start by asking for advice in a pharmacy.

Some pharmacies offer a Consultation Plus service: you can explain what you are feeling to a pharmacist confidentially, and be guided on what to do next.

This can, for example, involve a vaginal self-test to be done at home or, if necessary, a referral to a doctor.

If this is precisely what you are looking for, here is where to find this type of support in Geneva and how a vaginal self-test like Santelle works.

Can you buy a test for thrush in a pharmacy in Geneva?

Yes, but you already need to make a small distinction between the types of tests.

Some tests are carried out in a laboratory or as part of a medical consultation. Others are self-tests that you can perform yourself at home.

In this second case, the purpose is not to replace a medical diagnosis.

The test serves primarily to give you additional indications on what is happening and to help you know where to turn next.

Your body already gives you some clues naturally.

An unusual odour, for example, might suggest certain imbalances, while itching or vaginal irritation can point to thrush. The problem is that several vaginal disorders can cause very similar symptoms.

That is precisely when a vaginal self-test can be useful: when you feel that something has changed, but the symptoms alone do not really allow you to understand why.

Santelle is an example of a test available in pharmacies. Instead of measuring a single element, it analyses 6 biomarkers present in the vaginal environment in order to provide more information about your intimate balance.

And there is no need to wait until you have significant symptoms to take an interest in your vaginal health.

Some people also simply wish to better understand their balance and track its evolution.

How does Consultation Plus work?

Consultation Plus is a service offered by some Geneva pharmacies to manage a health issue without first seeing a doctor. In practice, it takes place in three stages:

1. You book an appointment
Online on the pharmacy's website, or directly at the counter if a slot is available.

2. You discuss it with the pharmacist
The discussion takes place in a separate room, away from the queue. This is the moment to describe what you are feeling, even if you do not know what it is.

3. You leave with an appropriate solution
Depending on the situation, this can take several forms: a kit like Santelle to do at home, or a referral to a doctor or a gynaecologist if the symptoms warrant it.

The benefit of Consultation Plus is precisely that you do not have to choose in advance between "I buy a test" and "I see a doctor": the discussion with the pharmacist helps guide you to the most relevant option for you.

Where to buy a vaginal test in Geneva?

Now that we know it is possible to go through a pharmacy, we still need to know where to go.

Several pharmacies in Geneva and neighboring municipalities offer Consultation Plus.

The idea is simple: you can discuss your symptoms with a pharmacist in a confidential space, ask your questions and find out what might be best suited to your situation.

You therefore do not need to know in advance whether it is thrush, bacterial vaginosis or something else to walk through the pharmacy door. You come precisely to be guided.

Santelle is available in several of these pharmacies for people who wish to carry out a vaginal self-test at home.

You can notably find it in the following pharmacies:

• Amavita Métro-Shopping Pharmacy

• Amavita Gare Cornavin Pharmacy

• Amavita Carl-Vogt Pharmacy

• Sun Store Plainpalais Pharmacy

• Sun Store Genève Lyon Pharmacy

• Sun Store Signy Centre Pharmacy

• Amavita Chêne-Bourg Pharmacy

• Coop Vitality Onex Pharmacy

The availability of the test and the Consultation Plus service may vary by pharmacy. The simplest approach remains to check directly with the pharmacy before travelling.

Which vaginal self-test to choose?

There are several types of vaginal self-tests available today.

Some are sold exclusively online, while others are also available in pharmacies. But beyond where you buy them, the real question is: What does the test actually measure?

Vaginal pH tests

The simplest tests generally measure vaginal pH.

The pH level tells you if the vaginal environment is within a certain acidity range or if it has changed.

This is useful information, but it remains fairly general.

A change in pH can signal that something is happening, without necessarily explaining on its own what is causing the change.

Multi-biomarker tests

If you are looking for more information, you can turn to a test that measures multiple biomarkers.

A biomarker is simply a biological marker that can be measured and provides information about what is happening in the body.

In the case of Santelle, the test analyses 6 different biomarkers, including vaginal pH.

The advantage is therefore not looking at a single isolated figure, but several elements at the same time.

This does not turn the self-test into a medical diagnosis and does not mean that a result can be interpreted on its own with certainty.

On the other hand, multiple biomarkers can provide more context than a pH measurement alone and give you a clearer idea of your vaginal balance.

This is primarily what can be useful: having more information in your hands to track your intimate health and knowing when it is helpful to seek professional advice.

Thrush or bacterial vaginosis: can they be differentiated with a pharmacy test?

This is probably one of the first questions we ask ourselves when looking for a vaginal test.

Is it thrush? Bacterial vaginosis?

Symptoms can already provide some clues, but they do not always make it possible to tell the difference.

Thrush and bacterial vaginosis do not necessarily cause the same changes in the vaginal environment.

This is also why a test that measures multiple elements can be more informative than a simple symptom questionnaire.

Santelle analyses several biomarkers which are then read together to provide an indication of your vaginal balance.

The idea is therefore not to look at a single line of the test and automatically conclude: "it is thrush" or "it is bacterial vaginosis". The result serves rather to guide you.

If the results or your symptoms suggest that a medical opinion is necessary, you can then turn to a pharmacist, doctor, midwife or gynaecologist to go further.

How does the Santelle vaginal self-test work?

If you ultimately choose to get a Santelle self-test in a pharmacy, the process remains fairly simple.

You leave with a kit to perform at home. Inside, you will find notably the material necessary for sample collection, the test card and instructions to carry out each step correctly.

The Santelle app can also guide you during the test.

1. Prepare your test

Before starting, read the instructions and prepare all the necessary material.

Wash your hands and try to keep the different elements of the kit clean during the entire process.

2. Collect the sample

The vaginal sample is taken using the swab provided in the kit.

You then prepare the sample following the instructions provided.

3. Apply the sample to the test card

Once the sample is prepared, apply the liquid to the test card as indicated in the user manual.

The app can guide you step-by-step and also includes a timer to respect the time needed before reading the result.

4. View your results

After approximately 10 minutes, you can enter the results in the app.

You will then get a reading of your different biomarkers and indications to better understand what they might mean.

Once again, this is not a diagnosis.

The test primarily gives you additional information to understand your vaginal balance and decide on the next steps: monitor the evolution, ask your pharmacist for advice or book an appointment with a healthcare professional.

If you wish to use Santelle to track the evolution of your vaginal balance over time, the frequency with which you repeat a test must remain consistent with the product recommendations and, if necessary, those of a healthcare professional.

Do you need a prescription to buy a vaginal test in a pharmacy?

That depends on the type of test.

When an analysis must be carried out in a laboratory or in a medical context, the pathway may involve a healthcare professional.

Self-tests sold directly to the public are precisely designed to be carried out at home.

This obviously does not mean that a self-test replaces a consultation.

If you have severe pain, fever, unusual bleeding, if you are pregnant, or if symptoms persist or return regularly, it is best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

How much does a vaginal test cost in a pharmacy in Switzerland?

The price depends primarily on the type of test you choose and what it measures.

In Switzerland, pH-based vaginal tests generally cost between 10 and 20 CHF.

For example, a Biosynex self-test for vaginal infections is sold for around 13 to 14 CHF depending on the pharmacy, while other pH tests can be closer to 18 to 20 CHF.

Santelle works a bit differently since it does not only measure pH: the kit analyses 6 biomarkers to provide more information about your vaginal balance.

If you also go through Consultation Plus, keep in mind that the consultation may be billed separately from the test. At Amavita, for example, the consultation for vaginal discomfort is currently displayed at 35 CHF, excluding medicines and products.

The simplest approach is therefore to check directly with the pharmacy for the price of the kit, its availability and any potential cost of the consultation before travelling.