Vaginal Self-Swab Instructions
Before you start
You can collect a swab from FemaleGP Clinic or the laboratory.
Please remember to label your swab(s) before returning them. The laboratory requires at least three patient identifiers.
Please include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address or NHI number
The laboratory cannot process unlabelled or inadequately labelled specimens.
If you can't return your swab straight away, store it in the fridge until you are able to drop it off.
Where do I return my swab?
You can return your labelled swab(s) to:
- Most medical centres (collection boxes are usually available on weekdays)
- Napier Health Centre
- The laboratory at Te Mata Peak Practice
- The laboratory on Maraekakaho Road
What are we testing for?
Depending on your symptoms and what has been requested, you may be asked to collect one or two swabs.
NAAT (PCR) swab
- Detects sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
- Depending on your clinician's request, it may also test for trichomonas or Mycoplasma genitalium.
- For more information see the Awanui Labs info sheet
MCS (Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity) swab
- Looks for infections such as thrush (Candida).
- Can also identify other bacteria or organisms that may be causing your symptoms.
- For more information see the Awanui Labs info sheet
A self-collected vaginal swab is just as accurate as a clinician-collected vaginal swab for testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
How to collect your vaginal swab
- Wash your hands.
- Open the swab carefully, holding it by the plastic handle. Avoid touching the soft tip.
- Stand with one foot on a chair or the toilet, squat slightly, or lie on your back with your knees bent—whatever feels most comfortable.
- Gently separate the labia and insert the swab approximately 5 cm (2 inches) into the vagina (about the length of your little finger). It does not need to reach the cervix.
- Rotate the swab firmly against the vaginal walls for 10–30 seconds.
- Carefully remove the swab without touching your skin.
- Place the swab into the correct transport tube and secure the lid firmly.
If you have been provided with more than one swab, repeat the same process with the second swab, using the correct collection tube for each.
The swab should not be painful. If you experience significant pain or are unable to collect the sample, please contact your healthcare provider for advice.
Ensure you know from your Healthcare Provider how you will get the results
NAAT Test (orange)
The NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) swab is processed differently.
After collecting the sample:
- Unscrew the lid from the collection tube (pottle), which contains a small amount of liquid.
- Place the swab into the liquid.
- Snap the plastic shaft at the marked break point.
- Leave the swab tip in the tube and screw the lid on tightly.
This sample is not cultured. Instead, the laboratory looks for the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of organisms such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea using highly sensitive molecular testing. Depending on what has been requested, it may also test for organisms such as Trichomonas vaginalis or Mycoplasma genitalium.
MCS swab (Purple top*)
Colour correct at the time of writing for Hawke's Bay.
The MCS (Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity) swab is a long cotton bud supplied inside the packet, with a purple-topped transport tube.
Collect the vaginal sample using the cotton bud.
Place the swab into the purple transport tube.
Secure the lid firmly.
This sample is sent to the laboratory where it is cultured. This allows bacteria and yeasts (such as thrush/Candida) to grow so they can be identified, and if needed, tested to see which antibiotics are most effective.
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