Frequently Asked Questions


How do you identify & screen VMT donors?

Our donors have zero history of BV, yeast vaginitis, or sexually transmitted infections, and they answer a survey similar to those given to blood donors, but with additional questions specific to genitourinary health. Most who have applied to be donors become ineligible at this step.

Those few incredibly healthy women who pass the survey round receive vaginal microbiome testing using the most advanced sequencing technology known to humans: whole genome sequencing. This unfortunately eliminates some others who have applied to be donors.

The healthy women who meet the very high bar for vaginal microbiome health are then screened for pathogens, with tests including but not limited to:

Blood:

  • CBC

  • CMP-14

  • Hemoglobin A1c

  • HIV 1 & 2

  • RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) with reflex to titer

  • Hepatitis screening:

    • Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Antibody, Total with reflex to IgM

    • Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) (with reflex to confirm)

    • Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (anti-HBs)

    • Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total (anti-HBc)

    • Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody with reflex to Quantitative Real-time PCR

  • Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1, 2 (HTLV-1/HTLV-2), Qualitative

  • Rubella, IgM

  • TORCH panel: 

    • CMV, IgM

    • Parvovirus, IgM

    • Toxoplasma, IgM

Urine:

  • Urinalysis (complete with microscopic evaluation)

Vaginal swab:

  • Screening for BV: Includes visual assessment of fluid, microscopy for clue cells, whiff test, and pH measurement.

  • Cervical cytology

  • HPV DNA, High Risk, Cervical

  • Bacterial Vaginosis/Vaginitis Panel (Garnerella, Trich, Candida etc)

  • Chlamydia/Neisseria gonorrhoeae

  • Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1 and 2

  • Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma Panel

  • Streptococcus Group A Culture

  • Streptococcus Group B Culture

How much does VMT cost?

  • The initial 60-min telehealth appointment to review your health history costs $325

  • If you haven’t had vaginal microbiome testing, the test we use typically costs $199, but we cover some of the cost ourselves, bringing the price down to $100.

  • The total cost of one dose of VMT is $990:

    • $190 for the office visit

    • $800 for one dose of VMT

  • The total cost of two doses of VMT is $1880:

    • $190 for each office visit

    • $1500 for two doses of VMT

  • The total cost of three doses of VMT is $2670:

    • $190 for each office visit

    • $2100 for three doses of VMT

  • Follow-up 30-min telehealth appointments are $190.

Is there anything I should know about scheduling my trip to Portland?

  • Schedule your appointments for a time when you are not menstruating or ovulating

  • Abstain from using any intravaginal products 12-24h before and after your VMT appointments, if possible

  • Abstain from vaginal intercourse for 24h before and after your VMT appointments

  • Our office manager Payton can help you with any questions about lodging near the clinic, or things to do while you’re in Portland

What can I expect at my appointment?

Dr. Long believes that patients should be physically and emotionally comfortable during sensitive treatments like VMT, and her treatment approach and our clinical environment reflect that. VMT can be speculum-assisted or manually delivered, and Dr. Long will help you to determine the best approach for you.