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The best way to prevent the transmission of STIs is by getting regularly tested and using condoms during sex.
You can do this by ordering an STI kit online that you complete at home and send back in the post
Unsure of how it works? Read some of our common FAQs about testing below.
Find out where you can order an STI test in your area
STI testing is an important part of taking care of your sexual health and keeping you and your sexual partners safe.
Anyone can get an STI, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve had sex or what type of sex you’re having. If you are sexually active, you should test for STIs regularly. And remember: STIs often don’t have symptoms!
It is important to make sure STIs are diagnosed and treated as early as possible to prevent them from causing long term health complications. Testing is free, quick and easy.
As a general rule you should get tested:
If you’ve had sex without a condom, you need to get tested. But STIs won’t show up on an STI test immediately (this is known as a window period), it can take a couple of weeks to a few weeks before they shop up on tests. So if you don’t have symptoms, it’s best to wait until that time to test to avoid getting a false negative. Here’s how long to wait to test after unprotected sex:
In most areas you can order an STI test to come to an address of your choice that you complete and send back in the post. You’ll get your results by text a few days later. If at home testing isn’t available in your area, you can get tested at sexual health and GUM clinics and your GP.
The tests are different depending on what genitals you have and what STI you are testing for:
A urine (wee) test. You can usually do these at home by yourself
A swab of the vagina. You can usually do these at home by yourself
You can sometimes do the blood sample at home by yourself depending on what tests are available in your area. If you’re not able to, you can do this test in clinic.
You will need to be examined in clinic by a clinician.
If you have symptoms of an STI, we recommend you contact your local sexual health service for advice.
They may tell you to order a home test, or they might ask you to come into a clinic so they can help you test and then get you treatment faster if you do test positive.
You can only order one kit at a time, and you should only ever order an STI test for yourself as and when you need it, so:
It’s really important that we have accurate information for each person so please don’t order kits for other people. Don’t stock up on tests as they do expire and if they’re damaged, your results might not be accurate.
Brook doesn’t offer home testing for people under 16 at the moment, but you are welcome to come into clinic where our friendly staff will support you with completing a test and any other help you might need.
All Brook services are free and confidential – find out more about your rights accessing sexual health services.
Which tests are available for you to order will depend on your location.
Check if it’s possible to order an at-home STI test kit for HIV and syphilis
If it’s not available then you will likely need to visit your nearest sexual health clinic where a clinician will take a blood sample.
Our STI testing kits come in discrete packaging in a white envelope. From this no one will know what is inside.
If this is still an issue, you could order the test to another address, maybe you and your friend can order and complete the test together? If you do this, make sure to include your own name and contact details so the tests don’t get mixed up!
You can do the vaginal swab test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia at any point during your menstrual cycle, including during your period and regardless of how heavy your flow is.
Your period will not interfere with the result although it may make it slightly harder to take the sample.
It’s always best to do an STI test as soon as possible after receiving it and especially while you remember!
It can be difficult to get enough blood but there are a few things you can do to make it easier:
Remember the lancets (finger pricks) can only be used once. If you run out and haven’t been able to complete the test, you can order another test or visit your nearest clinic where they can give you another test or take the blood test in person. Don’t try to draw blood using anything else – it may put you at risk of infection.
Some people are not comfortable with collecting their own blood sample, and that’s completely fine. If this is you, you can go to your local sexual health clinic where they can take a blood.
Most STIs can be easily treated with antibiotics.
One of our friendly clinicians will be in touch to support you to get treatment, which is always free.
Most antibiotics are safe to use with hormonal contraception (like the pill, patch, injection or implant) but talk to the person prescribing the treatment to make sure.
Tell the nurse or doctor if you are pregnant or think you may be, or if you are breastfeeding. This will affect the type of antibiotics you are given.
When you get your treatment, Brook staff will also help you to contact your current sexual partner(s) and sometimes previous partner(s) so they can be tested as well. If you would prefer, Brook staff can notify them for you through anonymous ‘partner notification’ and not even mention your name.
Don’t pass it on! Avoid having sex until you’ve been given the all-clear to make sure you don’t give it to someone else.
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