Biohacker Brian Johnson recently shared on social media that his girlfriend’s vagina received a “100/100” score, raising questions about what exactly defines top-notch private parts and how others might improve their own. Johnson, 48, proudly posted a graph showing his girlfriend Kate Toro’s impressive test results from a home test offered by Tiny Health.
This $249 test takes under five minutes to evaluate various biomarkers, identify bacteria linked to conditions like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, and monitor beneficial lactic acid bacteria vital for vaginal health and fertility. The CEO of Tiny Health, Cheryl Hsu Hui, mentioned that the aim was to empower women to understand their vaginal microbiome much like they track cholesterol and blood pressure.
According to Hsu Hui, the vaginal microbiome is often overlooked but is crucial for women’s health, impacting aspects like fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and infection risks. Results from the test take about 3-4 weeks and come with a comprehensive report and a score indicating the microbiome’s condition.
A high score—close to 100—means a healthy microbiome with protective bacteria in abundance and few harmful pathogens. However, Tiny Health emphasizes that a healthy vaginal microbiome looks different from a healthy gut microbiome. Dr. Kimberly Skum, the company’s chief scientific officer, clarified this distinction, noting that while diversity is key in the gut, a low diversity with Lactobacillus dominating is ideal for vaginal health. Lactobacilli help maintain an acidic environment that can thwart harmful pathogens.
Dr. Skum also noted that scores like Toro’s serve as helpful reference points rather than accolades. Most women tested had at least one area where they could improve, which she found encouraging. Low scores, she stressed, shouldn’t be seen as failures but rather as actionable insights for enhancement.
To protect their vaginal ecosystem, women are advised to steer clear of harsh cleaning or scented products that might strip away beneficial lactic acid bacteria. Other recommendations include incorporating lactobacillus probiotics into the diet, focusing on prebiotics and fermented foods, and opting for breathable cotton underwear while avoiding smoking.
Dr. Skum advocates for testing, particularly for women without symptoms, as disruptions in the vaginal microbiome can heighten the risk of other conditions, including bacterial vaginosis and complications during pregnancy, often without noticeable signs. Traditional testing tends to be reactive—people seek help only when symptoms arise—whereas Tiny Health seeks to offer proactive insights regarding microbiome health from the outset.
The idea is to establish a baseline through initial testing, followed by retests during significant life changes or health transitions. Dr. Skum highlighted the importance of testing especially during pregnancy or after taking antibiotics, when the vaginal environment may shift due to hormonal changes.
Hsu Hui reflected on her own experience, noting that her vaginal microbiome’s summary score was a perfect 100 before the birth of her son but plummeted to 24 afterward. It took time, particularly after breastfeeding her first child, for her microbiome to recover. She indicated that testing helps reveal changes over time, which would be hard to capture in a single test.
