In my 20s, I was basically on a first-name basis with my gynecologist. Yeast infections, UTIs, more yeast infections, more antibiotics. It felt like a revolving door of discomfort, and zero answers. If you’ve been there, you KNOW the frustration.
I had no idea that my hormonal birth control (the pill, in my case) might’ve been throwing off the balance of my vaginal microbiome and suppressing my body’s natural hormone rhythms. When I finally ditched the pill and started approaching my health from a more holistic lens, things shifted dramatically.
Why? Because I started ovulating again – which meant I was making estrogen and progesterone again. These sex hormones don’t just support fertility; they help maintain a healthy vaginal environment.
Throughout my 30s, things were smooth sailing down there. But then I hot my mid-40’s, AKA perimenopause, and suddenly I started noticing some (super fun!) new shifts – like intense itching and vaginal dryness (something so many of us experience but don’t talk enough about for obvious reasons lol).
So I decided to get ahead of it.
I turned to one of the best tools available: the Evvy Vaginal Microbiome Test. I tested once in 2023, and again in 2025, and I’m here to tell you, this stuff is surprising and fascinating!
Before I share my results, let’s back up a bit.
Why the Vaginal Microbiome Matters (Something We Were Never Taught)
Your vaginal microbiome is an entire ecosystem of bacteria (mostly good bacteria) that plays a critical role in your vaginal and reproductive health. When it’s thriving, your vaginal environment is acidic and protective, helping to guard against infections, inflammation, and even fertility challenges.
But when the microbiome becomes imbalanced, often due to things like antibiotics, hormonal birth control, stress, diet, or hormonal shifts (hello, perimenopause), that protective environment weakens, opening the door to recurrent infections like BV, yeast, UTIs and other disruptive symptoms.
According to Evvy, who uses advanced metagenomic sequencing to map your vaginal microbiome, the presence (or absence) of key bacteria can even influence your likelihood of experiencing things like:
- Recurrent infections (BV, yeast, UTIs)
- Vaginal dryness, irritation and itching
- Unexplained infertility or IVF failure
- Preterm birth and complications in pregnancy
- Poor response to certain vaginal treatments
In other words: what’s going on down there can give you major insight into your overall health, especially your hormonal and reproductive health. (And yes, we talk about this inside the Fix Your Period Collective, where vaginal health is part of the whole-body cycle approach we take.)
My Evvy Test Results & What I Did to Improve Them
I first tested with Evvy in 2023 because I wanted to see what was going on as I could feel my cycle starting to shift and my perimenopausal symptoms were becoming more of a problem.
The results were solid: I had a good amount of protective Lactobacillus bacteria, which is exactly what you want for vaginal health. But I also knew there was room to optimize – especially with my hormones beginning to shift.
So I made some targeted changes.
- I adjusted my diet a smidge, focused on gut health, and prioritized cycle-aligned living (shoutout to everyone in the Fix Your Period Collective – you know the drill!).
- I focused more on hydration, nervous system support, and juicy sleep.
- And perhaps most notably: I started using transdermal bioidentical estradiol therapy – topical estrogen that’s bioidentical to what your body naturally makes.
- Bonus: these are a few vagina supporting products I personally love~ Julva, Foria (use code NICOLEFORIA for 20% off) and Rosebud.
Fast forward to 2025, and I tested again, and WOW.
My vaginal microbiome improved significantly AND all the symptoms I was experiencing were gone!
Here’s what changed:
- I went from a Type 2 microbiome to a Type 1A, which is considered the most optimal state. Type 1A is dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus, a powerful protective bacteria that helps maintain a healthy vaginal pH and supports overall vaginal and reproductive health.
- My level of protective bacteria increased from 57.2% to 95%! That’s a huge improvement and shows how responsive the microbiome can be to the right support.
See more info from my test results, on Instagram
The biggest takeaway and what I’m always preaching?
We’re not just at the mercy of our bodies.
Like your period, your vaginal microbiome can shift (for better or worse). And that means you have more influence than you might think.
With the right support, nourishment, and sometimes, bringing in extra support like bioidentical hormones (for my peri ladies), you can absolutely change the landscape of your vaginal health for the better.
Let’s Talk Fertility (Even if You’re Not TTC)
One of the newest and most exciting features of the Evvy Vaginal Microbiome Test is their Fertility Insights add-on.
Even if you’re not currently trying to conceive, remember, fertility is still an important vital sign. In fact, your ability to ovulate regularly, produce healthy cervical mucus, and maintain a balanced vaginal environment tells you a lot about your overall health, from your hormone levels to your immune system function.
But if you are thinking about trying (now or in the future), or you’ve been on a fertility journey already, this tool is a must. The Fertility Insights report breaks down how your unique vaginal microbiome may be impacting your fertility and provides actionable insights based on the latest research.
Why This Matters:
There are some common but often overlooked microbes that can make conception more difficult:
- Gardnerella vaginalis, often associated with BV, can disrupt implantation and create inflammation in the uterine environment.
- Ureaplasma, a stealthy pathogen, is linked to increased miscarriage risk and lower IVF success rates.
- High vaginal diversity (which might sound good but isn’t in this case) has been associated with a greater risk of infertility or early pregnancy complications.
These aren’t things most OB/GYNs are testing for during your standard fertility workup, but they can be quietly interfering with your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. The good news?
Once you have the data, you can actually do something about it.
This is why I recommend testing before you start trying, so you can proactively support your body, rather than reactively troubleshoot later.
And if you’re already in the thick of TTC or navigating loss or IVF, this test can help fill in some frustrating blanks, and give you new directions to explore.
Want to See What’s Going on in Your Microbiome?
Whether you’re dealing with recurrent infections, dryness, unexplained itching, fertility challenges, or you’re just curious about what’s going on “down there” because it is a reflection of your overall health, I can’t recommend the Evvy test enough.
It’s quick (an easy swab!), at-home, and delivers more insight than any gynecology appointment ever gave me in my 20s.
Use code FYPERIOD10 to get 10% off your Evvy Vaginal Microbiome Test right here. Your results also come with a 1:1 coaching session to review and understand everything!
Knowledge is power. Whether your results show balance or imbalance, you deserve to know.
And if you want to dig deeper into how your hormones, cycle, and symptoms are all connected, check out the Fix Your Period Collective. We’re all about evidence-based, holistic education to help you take charge of your body, at every phase of life. Your first step is my free 2-min Period Quiz.
