A sexually transmitted infection, or STI, is a disease or infection that is spread through unprotected sex or genital contact.

While several STIs are treatable, some like herpes and HIV will remain in the system for life. Medication can be provided to lessen outbreaks and symptoms for herpes and HIV patients have been able to live long, healthy lives with treatments like antiretroviral drugs.

It is important to check for STIs as, while some can be symptomless, long-term infection can lead to serious complications like infertility. STIs can even be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Many STIs are symptomless, though can pose serious health risks if left untreated. If you notice any of these common symptoms, please talk to your GP. Some are more common to women than men, and vice versa.

There are various different symptoms depending on what STI you may have. If you are already showing symptoms, you do not need to take an at-home test.

Our STI testing kits are designed for people who don't have symptoms. It's a quick and discreet way to check on your sexual health.

You can use your STI testing kit at home, and it will be posted to you in discreet packaging. Once the lab receives the samples you post back in the provided envelope, you'll have results in 3 working days.

Please note STI test kits are NOT available for ParcelShop or store collection.

Our STI testing service is for patients who have NO symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms, then you should NOT use this service.

Our only exception to this policy is patients who are suffering from unusual vaginal discharge. If this is the case, please let us know during your consultation.

You may need different tests, treatment and an examination to rule out a complication. You should visit your local sexual health clinic or GP.

Symptoms include:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvis, testicles or penis
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
• Discomfort, discharge or bleeding from the rectum

The current available home STI kits can test for:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Trichomonas

Our genital photo assessment service may be able to diagnose:

• Genital warts
• Herpes
• Fungal rash
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Cysts

If you're sexually active, it's recommended that you get your sexual health checked regularly.

We recommend you get tested if you:

• Have a new sexual partner
• Have more than one sexual partner
• Have had sex without a condom
• Are worried you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection 

Don't worry about wasting anyone's time with an STI test if you think you need it. Most STIs can be treated or managed effectively, but only if you know about them. Staying healthy means your sexual partner can too.

It may take some time before an STI can accurately show up on a home STI test. It will vary depending on the STI you may have:

For some people, going to the GP or a sexual health clinic can be inconvenient or uncomfortable – all of our tests can be taken at home.

Depending on the tests you request, you may be directed to:

• take a swab (from your vagina or throat - and rectum if using an MSM test kit)
• give a urine sample
• give a finger-prick blood sample

The test kit will come with all the equipment you need, plus instructions for how to self-test safely and accurately.

Once you've received your results from our lab partners, our clinicians can then advise on the best course of action. If you test positive for chlamydia or trichomonas you may be suitable for free treatment.

Taking the samples for the tests shouldn't hurt, and they can all be done in privacy at home. If you have any questions about how to take the samples for the tests, send us a message via your Patient Record.

If you’re on your period when you go to a sexual health clinic, you will still be able to get the tests you need – in fact, it generally doesn’t matter at all where you are in your menstrual cycle. They’ll be happy to see you regardless of whether you’re bleeding or not. 

This is because STI tests are sensitive enough to pick up infection even if the sample contains up a bit of menstrual blood. If a test needs to be repeated for whatever reason, the clinic will let you know. 

It’s a good idea to be mentally prepared for your visit to the clinic: in most cases you’ll be having swabs done, so they might ask you to remove your tampon or menstrual cup before you have the test. Make sure you have a spare tampon with you. Because you might need to undress from the waist down, it makes sense to avoid clothing on your lower half that’s difficult to get in and out of - such as lace up boots, or tights.
Remember, staff at sexual health clinics are very experienced and won’t be put off by seeing a patient who is having their period!

MSM tests are specifically designed for men who have sex with men. We offer tests for syphilis and HIV (blood test) as well as chlamydia and gonorrhoea at 3 sites:

• throat (swab)
• penis (urine sample)
• rectum (swab)

Our lab partners will process the samples from your STI test and you should receive results in 3 working days, via Patient Record message.

Home test kits are very accurate at picking up infection (though no test can guarantee 100% accuracy). A recent study has shown that there is no difference in the diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests compared to home STI test kits.

A test should be able to show whether you require treatment, any further testing or are free from infection.

Our clinicians will contact you via your Patient Record with your test results. If your test shows markers for HIV, we will call you to discuss the results. If you test positive for chlamydia or trichomonas, we can provide free STI treatment for the infection, if you are clinically suitable.

For other positive results, we will advise you on where to seek treatment and support or counselling, if you want it.

Getting a positive result when you don’t have the STI you’re testing for is possible. We provide reliable accredited tests; however, no test is 100% accurate all the time. Unfortunately, there will be a small number of people who have a false positive result when using an at-home STI test.

If you’re unsure about your test result visit your local sexual health clinic for a second STI test.

Your STI results are confidential. Once ready, they will be sent to you via email and text.

We will not inform your GP or any other party about your results (or even that you have used the service). If you would like us to do this, please ask.

Your results should be ready within 3 working days of your sample arriving at our partner laboratory. 

If you have an STI, it’s important not to panic and seek out proper treatment. Do not have sex until you have fully completed treatment. If you’re unsure which treatment is suitable for your STI, talk to a GP or sexual health clinic, or consult our table of available treatment options:

*There is no cure for genital herpes. Treatment is used to lessen the amount (or severity) of outbreaks.

For other STIs, treatment options include:

• Gonorrhoea - Antibiotic injection
• Syphilis - Antibiotic injections, tablets or capsules
• Trichomoniasis - Antibiotic tablets

“Always finish the course of treatment prescribed for you or it may not work properly. It’s important to not have sex - including oral sex - until you and your partner (or partners) have finished treatment.” - Dr Bhavini Shah

While it may seem redundant to re-test yourself following a successful course of STI treatment, it is an important step to check that the infection has cleared. With that in mind, it can be useful to have a follow-up STI test to assuage any fears.

How long you have to wait to re-test depends on your diagnosis. Sexual Health London notes that re-testing too early (within six weeks for chlamydia) may result in a false positive due to residual DNA. 

The NHS recommends waiting for the following periods of time after treatment before any potential re-testing:

• Chlamydia - three to six months
• Gonorrhoea - a week or two
• Syphilis - six weeks (with a follow-up after a further six weeks)

It is not recommended that you have sex until you (and your current partner) have been given the all-clear from your STI. If you do have sex, make sure you use protection.

“Even after you’ve completed your STI treatment, it’s important to re-test to make sure the infection is successfully cleared.” – Dr Bhavini Shah

Your GP can test and treat you for a range of STIs confidentially. If you're not comfortable going to your regular doctor, you can also visit an NHS sexual health service for information, support, testing and treatment. Find your closest one here.

If you notice something unusual, or you think you have been exposed to an STI, there is no shame in getting tested – and it's never a waste of time.