From 'Just Because' to 'Data-Driven Continuity' in Femcare: Results of a Vaginal Flora Test & Salon Treatment Program

BizGene Inc. (Headquarters: Ibaraki City, Osaka; Representative Director: Kunihiro Kaihatsu), a company that supports people through health risk visualization technology, has been developing a personalized femcare program in collaboration with the specialized femcare salon 'Bouquet' (operated by WellSideMeeting Inc., Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka; Representative Director: Sayaka Matsubara). This program combines the vaginal flora test kit 'FemTest' with salon treatments. By measuring the vaginal Lactobacillus rate with FemTest and providing salon treatments, counseling, and lifestyle advice based on the results, changes in the Lactobacillus rate were observed before and after the program. It became clear that visualizing the vaginal flora numerically not only deepens participants' understanding of their own bodies and provides an opportunity to review their daily femcare, but also leads to more specific communication about femcare for the salon side.

■ Background: From 'Just Because' to 'Data-Driven Continuity' in Femcare

In recent years, along with the rise in women's health awareness, interest in intimate area care, so-called femcare, has been increasing. Many women suffer from fem-troubles such as odor, itching, and discomfort. One cause of these troubles is an imbalance in the vaginal flora's bacterial balance, but this is not yet widely recognized.

In the female vagina, Lactobacillus bacteria, which are beneficial bacteria, maintain an acidic environment, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. When this bacterial balance is disrupted, various unpleasant symptoms can occur, significantly impacting women's QOL (Quality of Life).

Conventionally, understanding the state of the vaginal flora required expensive testing at medical institutions. However, with the 'FemTest' developed using our proprietary technology, vaginal flora testing can now be easily done at home.

While it is important to continue femcare as a daily habit, it is also an area where it is difficult to feel changes. Therefore, there is a challenge that opportunities to think about 'why continue?' and 'what kind of care should I consider for myself?' are often lacking.

For companies providing femcare salons, intimate area soaps, supplements, etc., conveying the importance of care to customers and encouraging continued use are also important challenges.

■ About the Vaginal Flora Test & Salon Treatment Program

We believed that the best solution for resolving fem-troubles is to first scientifically 'visualize' the state of one's own vaginal environment and then take measures in collaboration with femcare specialists based on that data.

Therefore, BizGene Inc. and WellSideMeeting Inc. collaborated to develop a comprehensive program that can provide personalized femcare tailored to each individual's different situation.

■ Program Content

This program provided scientifically-based personalized femcare through the following three steps:

STEP 1: Visualization of the Vaginal Environment with FemTest
Using the self-check kit 'FemTest' for vaginal flora, accurately measure the proportion of Lactobacillus bacteria (good bacteria) in the vagina. Visualize the cause of discomfort with a scientific approach.

STEP 2: Professional Treatment and Counseling Based on Test Results
Conduct counseling based on test results and questionnaires at the specialized femcare salon 'Bouquet'.

STEP 3: Support for Lifestyle Review
Provide continuous support with lifestyle advice effective for the establishment of Lactobacillus bacteria and improvement of the vaginal environment, including diet, exercise, and sleep. Aiming to establish healthy lifestyle habits, regular treatments and counseling are provided.

Using the vaginal flora test kit 'FemTest' to measure the vaginal Lactobacillus rate, and based on the test results, treatments, counseling, and lifestyle advice tailored to each participant's condition were provided at the specialized femcare salon 'Bouquet'.

A key feature of this program was that it did not just convey test results, but used the test results as a trigger to provide an opportunity for participants to learn about their own vaginal flora and review their daily femcare and lifestyle habits.

■ Program Results: Changes in Lactobacillus Rate Before and After the Program

In this program, FemTest results were collected at the time of program participation and approximately 3 months after participation, and the distribution of Lactobacillus rates and individual numerical changes were confirmed.

Comparing the test results before and after the program, the number of participants with a Lactobacillus rate of 0-20% decreased from 10 (out of 18 total) before the program to 4 (out of 17 total) approximately 3 months after the program.

Furthermore, in individual data, participants with changes in Lactobacillus rates before and after the program were confirmed. For example, there were cases showing significant changes from low values, such as from 0% to 92%, 19% to 63%, 1% to 43%, and 19% to 69%.

We believe these results suggest the possibility that the 'visualization' through FemTest served as an opportunity for participants to learn about their own condition and review their daily femcare and lifestyle habits.

It was shown that numerically confirming the state of the vaginal flora can serve as a trigger for participants to think about femcare and can also be utilized in salon counseling and lifestyle advice.

*Test results may vary between individuals and may be affected by various factors such as physical condition, lifestyle habits, menstrual cycle, and timing of measurement. Furthermore, these results do not indicate the efficacy or effectiveness of specific products or treatments.

■ Participant Voices: An Opportunity to Face Their Own Bodies Through Testing

In this program, not only were there changes in the numerical values of the Lactobacillus rate, but changes were also observed in the participants' awareness of femcare.

・'This was an opportunity for me to face my own body. I learned for the first time that there are good and bad bacteria in the vagina and uterus. In my case, the values fluctuated during repeated tests, and I also experienced irregular menstruation at the same time, so it also made me more aware of menopause countermeasures. Thank you very much.'

・'I started femcare just because, but by using a dedicated product, I was able to visualize my bacterial balance and learn its importance anew. The numerical data from FemTest made me truly understand that you should use products designed for the face on your face, and products designed for the vagina on your vagina. I think this is a test that women should take regularly. I would like to take the test again in a few months after continuing good habits for my vagina. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes.'

・'I heard the term Lactobacillus for the first time. It felt strange because the term estrogen, a female hormone, is something women often hear. I thought I should know more about the good bacteria inside my body. This FemTest is easy because you can collect the sample at home. After getting the test results, I am trying the care and supplements I was advised to use.'

These voices also indicate that the 'visualization' of the vaginal flora through FemTest is not just about checking test results, but also provides an opportunity for participants to face their own bodies.