Doctors Missed It for Months—Then a Vaginal Microbiome Test Finally Solved Her Pelvic Pain
Clarindria 'Claire' Addison says 'no one will advocate for your body the way you will!'
Key Takeaways
- A vaginal microbiome imbalance can cause chronic itching and pelvic discomfort.
- Standard treatments like antibiotics may sometimes worsen symptoms over time.
- At-home microbiome tests can help uncover hidden causes when symptoms persist.
When relentless pelvic discomfort threatened to control every aspect of her life, Clarindria “Claire” Addison refused to accept her doctor’s brush-off. Though she didn’t know it at the time, her constant itching irritation were actually symptoms of an out-of-balanced vaginal microbiome—something a simple at-home test caught when doctors continually missed it. Here, Claire shares how advocating for herself finally led to healing.
I had no idea my vaginal microbiome was imbalanced
This can’t be “just how it is,” I thought, leaving my doctor’s office after yet another appointment. In January 2024, I began having extreme genital itching and pelvic discomfort.
At first, I suspected I had developed an allergy to my soap or laundry detergent, but after trying brands formulated for sensitive skin, my symptoms persisted. Like many women, I rationalized my symptoms away, telling myself they were the natural result of age or stress.
Woman's World Answers
After a month or so, I saw my physician, who suggested a variety of remedies, including adjusting my diet, cutting back on alcohol and multiple rounds of antibiotics to improve my vaginal health. However, nothing eased my irritation, and for months I left appointments with more prescriptions and more frustration.
Vaginal symptoms disrupted my everyday life
I was forced to wear loose, baggy dresses—what my mother and grandmother called “muumuus”—and mourned my inability to wear jeans or other fitted clothes because they irritated my sensitive skin.
The itching and pain would ease just enough to give me hope, then come right back. The most relief I could find was right after a shower or applying an ice pack. I remember thinking, Who wants to live like this? I can’t live like this. That moment of despair was what pushed me to stop just accepting “this is just how it is.” Eventually, I realized my doctor didn’t have the remedy I needed, so I started looking for solutions myself.
Restoring a healthy vaginal microbiome
One evening while scrolling through social media, I saw an ad for the Evvy Vaginal Microbiome Test. I was intrigued that the at-home microbiome test evaluated hundreds of bacteria, not just the usual strains doctors typically screen for. Feeling hopeful, I took my health into my own hands and ordered the test, wondering if it might finally reveal what is really going on.
I was shocked when the results showed that I had very low levels of protective bacteria, and ironically, every round of antibiotics I had been prescribed was actually making things worse! It was a relief to finally understand what was happening in my body. Even better was learning the remedy was as simple as finding the right probiotic to address the root cause of my symptoms instead of masking them.
I began taking a probiotic strain Evvy suggested for my particular vaginal microbiome diagnosis and I noticed a significant reduction in my symptoms in just four weeks. And to my delight, within six weeks, I was symptom-free!
Why self-advocacy is so important
Today, I feel great and I’m keenly aware that no one will advocate for your body the way you will. I believe we know when something feels off and the standard answers aren’t working. I’m so glad I listened to my intuition and was curious enough to keep looking for a cure for my vaginal microbiome issues that helped me feel amazing.
Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
This article originally appeared in the May 25, 2026 print issue of Woman’s World.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
