Which vaginal test to choose without a prescription in Switzerland?

Vaginal health is still a taboo subject, even though itching, burning, unusual discharge or changes in odour are common.

An autotest can help you better understand these symptoms and find out if it is useful to consult a doctor.

In Switzerland, it is possible to buy a vaginal test over-the-counter, at a pharmacy or online.

However, not all of them measure the same thing. Some only analyse vaginal pH, while others assess several biomarkers to provide more information on vaginal balance and track its evolution over time.

Warning:

An autotest remains an orientation tool. It can help you better understand certain symptoms or changes, but does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional when a diagnosis or treatment is necessary.

Can you buy a vaginal test over-the-counter in Switzerland?

Yes. Several vaginal autotests are available without a prescription in Switzerland, particularly in pharmacies and from certain online pharmacies.

They allow you to get an initial indication without having to book an appointment with a doctor immediately.

This can be useful when symptoms are mild, difficult to interpret or if you simply want to check your vaginal balance.

How to ask for Santelle in a pharmacy?

Santelle is available in selected Amavita, Coop Vitality and Sun Store pharmacies as part of Consultation Plus.

1. Find a participating pharmacy
   Check the list of pharmacies offering Santelle near you.

2. Ask the pharmacist for Santelle
   The test is not necessarily on display on the shelves. Ask the pharmacy team directly.

3. Perform the test with guidance
   You can discuss your symptoms in a confidential area, take the test on site and be guided in understanding your results.

Santelle is one of the tests offered in selected participating Amavita, Coop Vitality and Sun Store pharmacies, allowing you to carry out the test with support if needed.

This option can be interesting for those who want an initial orientation without going directly through a medical consultation.

What types of vaginal tests are available over-the-counter?

In Switzerland, there are mainly two types of vaginal autotests: pH tests and tests that analyse multiple biomarkers.

They do not give the same level of information about vaginal balance.

Tests that analyse multiple biomarkers

Some autotests are not limited to pH and analyse several indicators from a single vaginal swab.

This is the case with Santelle, which analyses six complementary biomarkers:

• pH, which measures vaginal acidity.

• Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). A low level may indicate that this protective flora is less present.

• Leukocyte esterase (LE), which indicates the presence of white blood cells and can signal inflammation or infection;

• Sialidase (SNA), an enzyme associated with certain bacteria involved in bacterial vaginosis.

• Beta-glucuronidase (β-G), a marker associated with bacterial imbalances, particularly aerobic vaginitis.

• N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), an enzyme associated with the presence of fungi and which can point towards a vaginal yeast infection.

Together, they provide information on different aspects of vaginal balance, such as acidity, the presence of protective bacteria or certain signs associated with inflammation or imbalance.

This analysis particularly helps to guide you towards a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or another vaginal imbalance, rather than relying solely on a change in pH.

The test is performed from a single swab and results are available after about 10 minutes.

The Santelle app guides the test, helps interpret the six biomarkers and saves the results so you can track the evolution of your vaginal balance over time.

This tracking can be particularly useful when symptoms return regularly or when you simply want to get to know your vaginal balance better.

A multi-biomarker test, however, remains an orientation tool and not a medical diagnosis.

Vaginal pH tests

Most simple vaginal autotests available in pharmacies are based on measuring vaginal pH.

The vagina naturally has an acidic environment.

When this balance changes, the pH can increase. A pH test generally involves putting a strip or applicator in contact with vaginal secretions, then comparing the resulting color with a scale.

In practice, the result mainly indicates whether your pH is within the expected range or if it is higher.

For example:

• a normal vaginal pH does not rule out a yeast infection, as thrush can occur without significantly changing the pH;

• a higher pH can be observed in the presence of bacterial vaginosis, but also in other situations.

Tests available in Swiss pharmacies, such as the Biosynex vaginal autotest, use this method to orient between different possible causes based on vaginal pH.

To choose a test, it is therefore useful to look not only at where it is sold or its price, but especially at what it actually measures and the type of result it can provide.

What can a vaginal autotest tell you?

A vaginal test can give information on the balance of the vaginal microbiome and help understand the possible origin of certain symptoms.

However, what it indicates depends on the elements it analyses.

What a vaginal test can tell you

A test based solely on pH mostly helps to know if the vaginal environment maintains its usual acidity or if it has changed.

A test that analyses multiple biomarkers can provide indications on:

• The balance of the vaginal microbiome: pH and H₂O₂ levels provide information about the vaginal environment and the presence of lactobacilli, the bacteria that naturally help protect the vagina.

• Bacterial vaginosis: a higher pH associated with certain markers, notably sialidase, can point towards a bacterial imbalance characteristic of vaginosis.

• Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) is associated with the presence of fungi and can point towards a yeast infection, such as vaginal candidiasis.

• Aerobic vaginitis or other bacterial imbalance: beta-glucuronidase can provide an indication of certain imbalances related to aerobic bacteria.

• Inflammation: leukocyte esterase reveals the presence of white blood cells, which can be a sign of inflammation or infection.

This information can be particularly useful when symptoms like itching, burning, unusual discharge or changes in odour could have several causes.

Indeed, the symptoms of a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or other imbalances can look very similar.

However, an important distinction must be made: a multi-biomarker autotest does not give the complete composition of your vaginal microbiome.

It provides indicators on its balance and on certain changes that may suggest a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or other imbalance.

A laboratory analysis is necessary to precisely identify the microorganisms present.

What a vaginal test cannot tell you

A vaginal autotest does not allow for all diagnoses.

In particular, it should not be considered a general screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV or syphilis, for example, require tests specifically designed to screen for these infections.

It is best to seek advice from a healthcare professional when:

• symptoms are severe or painful;

• they persist or return regularly;

• you have a fever, pelvic pain or unusual bleeding;

• you are pregnant;

• you think you may have been exposed to an STI;

• you are unsure about the interpretation of the result;

• symptoms continue despite treatment.

The goal of an autotest is therefore primarily to better understand what is happening and to know what step to consider next, rather than to replace a medical consultation.