A women’s health PCR panel is a type of test that uses a laboratory technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the DNA of various microorganisms that can cause infections in the female reproductive system. These infections can affect the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, and can cause symptoms such as discharge, itching, burning, pain, bleeding, or infertility. Some of these infections can also be sexually transmitted to other partners.  

A women’s health PCR panel can identify the presence or absence of 30 different pathogens, including bacteria, yeast, viruses, and parasites. Some of the common pathogens that are tested for are Candida species (which cause yeast infections), Gardnerella vaginalis (which causes bacterial vaginosis), Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (which cause chlamydia and gonorrhea), Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (which cause genital herpes), and Trichomonas vaginalis (which causes trichomoniasis). The test can also detect other less common pathogens that may cause pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, cervicitis, or vaginitis.

A women’s health PCR panel can be performed on different types of samples, such as urine, vaginal swabs, or cervical swabs. The samples are collected by the patient or by a healthcare provider and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results are usually available within 24 hours and can help diagnose the cause of the infection and guide the appropriate treatment. A women’s health PCR panel can also be used for screening purposes to detect asymptomatic infections that may pose a risk to the patient’s health or fertility.