How well do you know Daye?

If you’re well acquainted with us and our work, you’ll know how much we care about vaginal microbiome screening – and how loquacious we are about its benefits. In fact, if someone were to ask you to instantly recite all the reasons for why regular vaginal screening is crucial, you’d likely be able to at the merest drop of a hat.

If you don’t know us too well (or are stumbling across us for the first time): First, welcome! And secondly – if you hadn’t guessed already – we care a lot (a lot, a lot) about the vaginal microbiome.

We’ll get to the whys and wherefores of why, exactly, a healthy vaginal microbiome is so important later. First and foremost, though, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that we’re partnering with healthcare provider Wisp: To continue in our shared mission to increase access to vaginal healthcare and to spread awareness about the crucial role the vaginal microbiome plays in gynecological health by bringing Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon (more on that below) to the US.

If you’re not familiar with Wisp: Well, they’re brilliant; not least because of their mission to increase access to gynecological health screening – the noblest mission around, in our opinion – especially amongst uninsured populations and in areas of the US wherevaginal healthcare is hard to access.

Let’s take a deeper dive into Wisp, the considerable waves they’re making when it comes to healthcare for women and AFAB folks; and the reasons why Wisp is the perfect partner for Daye to bring our Diagnostic Tampon to a wider group of people who need it.

Who is Wisp?

Wisp is a telehealth provider, helping you connect with a licensed healthcare provider online for a judgment-free consultation; and the opportunity to be prescribed effective (and safe) same-day treatment if you need it; delivered discreetly, of course.

“We believe that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right,” says Monica Cepak, Wisp CEO. “We empower our patients to take ownership over their health, by providing convenient, affordable, same-day treatments for common, yet stigmatized conditions—all from the comfort of home.”

“Our costs are typically cheaper than a co-pay, and by not working with health insurance companies, Wisp is able to keep costs transparent and offer faster response times,” Cepak continues.

As for the sorts of conditions Wisp can offer treatment for, they include:

• Vaginal health: UTIs, yeast infections, BV, vaginal dryness
• Herpes: genital herpes and cold sores
• Reproductive Care: birth control (pills, patch, ring) or the opportunity to delay your period
• Fertility: Testing and treatment options to aid conception
• Better sex: options include OMG! Cream (a female orgasm enhancement), Wisp Lift (a doctor-formulated libido supplements) and Harmonizing Lube (which won’t disrupt your vaginal pH)
• Prevention: which includes Probiotics, Boric Acid Suppositories, Balancing Wash (a gentle cleanser that won’t disrupt pH), Wisp Mist (a sex toy cleaner that can prevent BV recurrence)
• STI & STD: testing & treatment options, DoxyPEP (bacterial STI prevention)

And if you’re wondering how, exactly, this miraculously efficient same-day treatment can be made possible, Wisp’s online consultation and prescription service works as follows:

• Async consultations within 3-5 hours with flexible delivery options (mail-order delivery to doorstep or same-day pharmacy pickup)
• Order treatment anytime from licensed healthcare providers with minimal wait time
• Available in all 50 states + D.C with 3-5 days delivery

Now, back to the reason we’re all here – the all-important vaginal microbiome.

Why is vaginal microbiome screening so important?

Here, we’re drawing on the expertise of Michael B. Baldonieri, MD, Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “The vaginal microbiome is the population of micro-organisms that live in the vagina,” he says – and if you’ve perused our articles below, you’ll know that an abundance of lactobacilli (the ‘good’ bacteria) means an abundance of health where the vagina is concerned.

“A healthy vaginal microbiome is important because it maintains the micro-environment of the vagina – controlling the pH and promoting appropriate moisture levels,” Baldonieri explains. “This careful control prevents vaginal and bladder infections, protects sperm on their journey to the uterus, and acts as a safeguard during pregnancy to decrease the risk of infections of the uterus.”

At this point, you may be thinking: ‘Ok, but what are the risks? What could actually go wrong, if the vaginal microbiome is imbalanced’ – in other words, unhealthy? Well…

“Imbalance in the vaginal microbiome most commonly leads to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis,” Baldonieri explains. “This can cause vaginal irritation, discharge and odor.”

That’s not all. “In some patients, imbalances can contribute to recurrent bladder infections, chronic pain, and even infertility or poor pregnancy outcomes,” Baldonieri continues. “There is growing evidence that imbalances of the microbiome can lead to preterm labor and delivery.”

So… how can vaginal screening help? “As understanding of the vaginal microbiome grows, regular vaginal screening could contribute to better understanding [of] overall health and allowing for adjustments in diet or other habits to maintain an ideal environment,” Baldonieri concludes. “This early intervention could lead to less treatment with antibiotics for things like BV and yeast, and could even improve fertility without having to have a clinic appointment. There is great potential for medical advancements surrounding microbiomes, and self-monitoring will certainly play a role.”

And speaking of self-monitoring…

What is Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon?

Daye Founder and CEO, Valentina Milanova, explains the tampon works by “collecting a sample from the vagina and cervix area, which is then sent to our CLIA and CAP certified labs for analysis. Results are typically available within 5 days.”

Like Baldonieri, Milanova talks about the adverse gynecological health outcomes associated with a disrupted vaginal microbiome; and adds: “The composition of your vaginal microbiome can change throughout your menstrual cycle, with age, and even based on your lifestyle”; hence, regular screening really is vital.

Too often, though, this screening isn’t available; which is exactly why Daye and Wisp are partnering up. Together, we want to offer Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon – and, incidentally, vaginal microbiome screening – to a greater proportion of the US population.

What are the benefits of a Daye & Wisp partnership?

“Many women and AFAB individuals face substantial barriers to accessing vaginal healthcare,” adds Milanova. “Financial costs, time constraints, lack of awareness, limited specialized services, and the stigma surrounding vaginal health issues often delay care-seeking, exacerbating the problem.

“Studies show that the economic and societal participation of women and AFAB individuals goes down when they don’t have access to reproductive health services,” says Milanova adding: “In the current global political landscape, it is more important than ever to provide everyone with access to convenient, science-backed healthcare services.”

Enter: The Daye and Wisp partnership.

“At Daye and Wisp, we believe that partnerships are vital to overcoming these challenges and enhancing vaginal health,” Milanova explains. “By collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, academic institutions, policymakers, and employers, we can improve access to specialized care, enhance education and awareness, and provide more comprehensive and holistic healthcare services.”

“A partnership between Daye and Wisp streamlines diagnostics and care,” Cepak adds. “Daye’s simple, at-home screening process helps patients better understand vaginal health symptoms, like discharge, odor, inflammation, and pain, so they can request simple and seamless treatment through Wisp.”

“Partnering with Wisp aligns perfectly with our mission to bridge the gender health gap through innovative, clinically validated products,” sums up Milanova. “Wisp’s commitment to accessible and discreet sexual health services complements our goal of providing comprehensive gynae health solutions. Together, we can offer a more accessible, effective, and empowering approach to vaginal health.”

Some parting thoughts…

“The Daye At-Home Vaginal Microbiome Screen is yet another tool that empowers you to take control of your sexual health,” Cepak concludes. “By making at-home diagnostics easy and accessible, we’re helping you be more proactive in your healthcare and take your personal healthcare management to the next level. Whether you're managing recurrent vaginal issues or simply prioritizing preventive care, Wisp & Daye empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your vaginal health.”

“For too long, there has been a strong stigma around vaginal health,” adds Milanova – and don’t we know it! “By working together, Daye and Wisp can help break it and drive real patient value, emboldening everyone to be their own hero and to advocate for the care they deserve.”