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How to complete your STI test at home

Follow these step-by-step instructions to quickly and easily complete your STI test.

This guidance is relevant to tests ordered through Brook. You may find this guide useful if you have ordered from somewhere else as home testing kits tend to be very similar, but make sure you follow the instructions that came with your test.   

You should aim to do your test as soon as possible after receiving it and on a day when you are able to get to a post box to return it. Make sure you return your test within 24 hours of taking your sample and before the test’s expiry date. 

Completing an STI test isn’t exactly fun, but it takes less than 10 minutes and gives you the peace of mind that you’re looking after you and your sexual partners’ sexual health.  

Ready? Pick up your test and go somewhere private. It’s best if you can complete the test without being disturbed and somewhere you feel comfortable, you might find it easier to complete in a bathroom.  

Important – Before you do your test

We all know paperwork can be boring, that’s why it’s a great idea to get it out of the way first and so you don’t forget later.

Whatever type of test you are doing, we recommend that you complete steps 1-5 before you take any samples.  

Step 1: Make sure you’ve got the right test for you  

  • I have a penis and testicles – You should have a ‘urine sample’ test 
  • I have a vagina and vulva – You should have a ‘vaginal swab’ test 
  • I’m testing for HIV and syphilis – You will need a ‘capillary blood’ test which normally comes in a test kit with one of the tests above.

Step 2: Fill out the Test Request Form 

You should have an ‘Important Documents’ envelope within your testing kit. Within here you should find the Test Request Form. It’s really important that this is sent back with your completed test else you may not receive your results.   

Check the information on this form and complete the missing sections including the date that you took the sample.

Top tip!
Take out your return envelope and put your completed Test Request form into this envelope so you don’t forget to include it later (but don’t seal the envelope just yet!). 

Step 3: Check your Test 

Open your testing kit and check that your test contains everything it should. The instructions include a list of what your kit should include. This will save you time and help you to familiarise yourself with the different parts.  

Testing kit box open showing instructions and testing equipment inside

Step 4: Complete the sample label

Within your testing kit box, you should have a small white sticky label. Fill out your details and write “vaginal”, “urine” or “blood” depending on what test you have under the sample type. Place to one side ready to stick on your sample tube later.   

Small white label with space to complete the following information: first name, surname, DOB, sample type

Step 5: Make a note of the tracking number

Each test has its own tracking number. If you haven’t already, remove the empty return envelope from the testing kit box and make a note of the tracking number under the barcode. You can use this number track your package when you are waiting for your results.

Now you’re ready to do your test.

This is the test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia if you have a vulva and vagina.

This is the test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia if you have a penis and testicles.

This is the test for HIV and syphilis (it’s the same for everyone).

Often tests for HIV and syphilis will also include a vaginal swab or urine sample for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, so make sure you complete both parts of the test.  

Vaginal swab (test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia) 

Make sure you’ve completed steps 1-5 first.

Contents of your test

Inside your testing kit box you should have:

  • Instructions
  • Security Seal sticker
  • Small white sample label
  • Return envelope
  • Sample tube in protective packaging
  • Swab

You should also have an Important Documents envelope with your testing kit. This contains the Test Request Form.

Take your sample 

Step 6: Wash your hands

Before taking the sample, wash your hands with warm water and soap to make sure no bacteria on your hands can affect the sample.   

Step 7: Prepare the sample tube

Remove the sample tube from its plastic protective container, unscrew the lid and keep the tube upright, making sure not to spill any of the liquid inside.  

Sample tube with orange label stood up with lid next to it.

Step 8: Prepare the swab

Take the swab out of the packaging. Being careful not to touch the cotton bud end, hold the swab in the middle at the black line.  

A hand holding the swab at the black line

Step 9: Take your sample

With your legs apart and holding the swab in one hand, use the other hand to separate your labia (outer lips of the vulva) so you can see your vagina.  

Insert the cotton bud about 5cm into the vagina – you don’t need to go any further than the black line on the swab. 

Rotate the swab for 5 seconds making sure it touches the walls of your vagina.  

(See instructions for a diagram)

Top tip!
You may find it easier to put one leg up onto the toilet seat or to use a mirror. Often people assume vaginas are straight up but they actually tend to point towards the lower back. 

Instructions that come with testing kit that have diagrams showing how to take the sample

After you’ve collected your sample 

You’ve done the hard bit! Now you just need to prepare your sample ready to post.  

Step 10: Put the swab into the sample tube

Being careful not to touch the swab, snap the stick at the black line so that the swab fits into the tube and screw the lid back on. 

Stick the sample label (the small white sticker you completed earlier) onto the tube. 

Step 11: Package and seal your testing kit box

Put the sample tube, with the swab in, back into the protective packaging it came in and then into the testing kit box. 

If you have a test for HIV or syphilis in the same test kit, do this test now before sealing the testing kit box.

Stick the security seal sticker over where the box opens which seals the box shut – Make sure you’ve taken out the return envelope first! 

Testing kit box sealed with Security Seal sticker next to the return envelope.

Step 12: Get ready to post

Put the box into the envelope with the return address on, making sure you’ve also included your Test Request Form and seal the envelope.  

Testing kit box and Test Request Form being put into the envelope

Step 13: Post your test within 24 hours

That’s it! You should send your test as soon as possible, or at most 24 hours after completing it.  

Top tip!
Pack it in your bag or put it next to your keys so you don’t forget it!

Sealed envelope

Step 14 (Optional)

Remind yourself how awesome you are for choosing to take care of your sexual health today!


Urine sample (test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea) 

Make sure you’ve completed steps 1-5 first.

Contents of your test

Inside your testing kit box you should have:

  • Instructions
  • Return envelope
  • Small white sample label
  • Security Seal sticker
  • Urine collection container
  • Pipette
  • Sample tube in protective packaging

You should also have an Important Documents envelope with your testing kit. This contains the Test Request Form.

Take your sample 

Make sure you haven’t had a wee in the last hour before starting your test. 

You’ll need to complete the test near a toilet. 

Step 6: Wash your hands

Before taking the sample, wash your hands with warm water and soap to make sure no bacteria on your hands can affect the sample.   

Step 7: Prepare the sample tube

Remove the sample tube from its plastic protective container, unscrew the lid and keep the tube upright, making sure not to spill any of the liquid inside. 

Sample tube with yellow label standing upright with lid next to it

Step 8: Take your sample

Find the flat cardboard box in your testing kit and open it out.  

Wee into the box until it’s around half full (don’t worry the box is plastic coated so it shouldn’t leak!), finish the rest of your wee in the toilet.  

Use the pipette to suck up the wee from the box up to the 2ml mark at the top.  

Using a pipette to extract urine from the urine collected in the cardboard box

Squirt the pipette into the sample tube so that it is between the two black lines 

Screw the lid back onto the sample tube. 

Sample tube filled with urine so that it's between the two black lines on the tube.

After you’ve collected your sample 

You’ve done the hard bit! Now you just need to prepare your sample ready to post. 

Step 9: Prepare the sample

Stick the sample label you wrote earlier onto the tube, making sure it doesn’t cover the fill lines.  

Flush any wee left in the box and throw away the cardboard box you took your sample in along with the pipette.

Sample tube with sample label next to it that is ready to be stuck on.

Step 10: Package and seal your testing kit box

Put the sample tube back into the plastic packaging that it came in and then into the testing kit box.

If you have a test for HIV or syphilis in the same test kit, do this test now before sealing the testing kit box.

Stick the security seal sticker over where the box opens so it is sealed shut, making sure that you’ve taken out the return envelope first! 

Testing kit box sealed with the Security Seal sticker with the return envelope next to it.

Step 11: Get ready to post  

Put the box along with your Test Request Form into the envelope with the return address on and seal the envelope.  

Testing kit box and Test Request Form being put into the return envelope.

Step 12: Post your test within 24 hours

That’s it! You should send your test as soon as possible, or at most 24 hours after completing it. 

Top tip!
Pack it in your bag or put it next to your keys so you don’t forget it!

Sealed return envelope ready to be posted.

Step 13 (Optional)

Remind yourself how awesome you are for choosing to take care of your sexual health today!

 


Test for syphilis and HIV: how to take the blood sample 

Content warning
The instructions for this test include images that show blood or substances that look like blood, as well as a short video showing how to prick your finger to take a blood sample.

Testing for HIV and syphilis requires taking a blood sample from a finger. Often you’ll also do a vaginal swab or urine sample for gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the same time as the blood sample.   

If you’re also testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea using a vaginal swab or urine sample, we recommend doing that before you do your blood sample (along with steps 1-5).

 

Contents of your test kit

Alongside any other tests that are included in your kit, you should also have following in order to complete the blood sample test:

  • Three blue lancets
  • Two white sample stickers (one for the other test and one for this one)
  • Two plasters
  • Alcohol swab wipes
  • Cleansing wipes

Taking your sample  

Step 6: Wash your hands

Before taking the sample, wash your hands with warm water and soap to make sure no bacteria on your hands can affect the sample. It can be tricky to get enough blood to fill the sample tube but it’s a lot easier if your hands are warm. Make sure you completely dry your hands. 

Step 6: Prepare the sample tube

Remove the sample tube from its plastic protective container, (small tube with the yellow lid). Unscrew the lid and keep the tube upright, making sure not to spill any of the liquid inside. 

Top tip!
You can use the packaging to keep the sample upright: place the tube in the spot marked by an ‘X’.

Sample tube stood up in the protective packaging with the lid beside it

Step 7: Take the sample

Make sure you sit down to take your sample.

Wipe with one of the alcohol SWAB the finger you’ll prick with the lancet to take your sample – It’s a good idea to aim for the side of your middle finger or ring finger 

Using a cleansing wipe to clean the finger that the lancet will prick.

Remove the cap of one of the blue lancets by twisting it. 

Making sure the sample tube is nearby, hold the lancet against your finger and push it firmly against your finger to prick your finger. This should draw a drop of blood. If it didn’t, you can use one of the other lancets to repeat this step (each lancet should only be used once).

Wipe away the first drop of blood with a tissue.

Hold your hand and arm downwards to allow more blood to flow to your fingertip. Massage your finger up and down to get more blood to flow to your fingertip and hold it over the sample tube.  

Once the sample tube is filled between the two lines, clean your finger with another cleansing wipe and stick the plaster over it.  

Top tip!
You may need to pause for a few seconds for more blood to collect or, if there still isn’t enough blood to fill the tube between the two lines, you will need to use another lancet to repeat the process (it’s best to go for a different finger this time).

I’m struggling to collect enough blood, what do I do? 

Blood dripping into the container between the two lines

After you’ve completed your sample 

You’ve done the hard bit! Now you just need to prepare your sample ready to post. 

Step 8: Preparing your sample

Push the lid back on the sample until you hear a click and then turn the tube upside down and back again 5 times.  

Stick the sample label that you completed earlier onto the tube.  

Step 9: Package and seal your testing kit box

Put the sample tube back into the plastic packaging that it came in and then into the testing kit box. 

Stick the security seal sticker over where the box opens so it is sealed shut, making sure that you’ve taken out the return envelope first! 

Testing kit box sealed with the Security Seal sticker with the return envelope next to it.

Step 10: Get ready to post

Put the box along with your Test Request Form into the envelope with the return address on and seal the envelope.  

Testing kit box and Test Request Form being put into the return envelope.

Step 11: Post your test within 24 hours

That’s it! You should send your test as soon as possible, or at most 24 hours after completing it. 

Top tip!
Pack it in your bag or put it next to your keys so you don’t forget it!

Sealed return envelope ready to be posted.

Step 12 (Optional)

Remind yourself how awesome you are for choosing to take care of your sexual health today!


Getting your results  

You will receive your results by text message. This is usually 3-7 days after you have returned the samples, but please allow up to 10 days in case there are any delays with postage.

If your test comes back positive, we will support you to access treatment. Treatment is free and it may be possible to send by post so there’s no need to visit the clinic.

More about treatment for chlamydia

More about treatment for gonorrhoea 

More about treatment for syphilis 

More about treatment for HIV

We will also help you contact your recent sexual partner(s) so they can get tested and treated. This can be done anonymously.  

Very occasionally results aren’t clear, meaning we can’t confirm if they are positive or negative. If this happens, one of our team will contact you to arrange a new test.

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