Microbial load refers to the absolute number of DNA copies found in a sample. This data is available through Evvy's Expanded PCR Panel add-on, which provides detailed information about 11 common microbes. In contrast, the standard Vaginal Health Test measures the relative abundance of microbes without providing absolute microbial load data.
Knowing the microbial load can help inform if anything in your microbiome is present in higher or lower amounts than what is considered normal. Microbial load can especially help illuminate conditions like cytolytic vaginosis (CV), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and yeast infections. Absolute microbial load data is particularly valuable because it provides a clearer picture of microbial imbalances, which can be critical for diagnosing and managing these conditions effectively.