Self-sampling information for trans and gender-diverse persons
Our postal testing kits always include tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. We recommend patients have urine or vaginal/frontal, throat and rectal samples collected for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
These tests are available for everyone, and, if you are trans or gender-diverse, we have provided a further information as to the best sampling options for you. It’s not always obvious which samples to choose to collect; here is our advice.
Should I choose a urine or vaginal/frontal sample?
To make this decision, you have to consider the sex you were assigned at birth, and if you have had any gender-affirming genital surgery. For intersex people please consider the anatomy you have, and which sample would be possible for you to provide. If you:
- Were assigned female sex at birth, and have not had any gender-affirming genital surgery, please select a vaginal/frontal sample
- Were assigned female sex at birth, and have undergone gender-affirming genital surgery, please select a urine sample
- Were assigned male sex at birth, and have not had any gender-affirming genital surgery, please select a urine sample
- Were assigned male sex at birth, and have undergone gender-affirming genital surgery, please select a vaginal/frontal sample
If you are still unsure, or the above does not apply to you, this summary advice from national BASHH guidance may be helpful:
“In general, urine testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is appropriate for all trans and intersex people. Vaginal swabs are advised for any trans or intersex person who has a vagina.”
BASHH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTEGRATED SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR TRANS, INCLUDING NON-BINARY, PEOPLE
What about throat and rectal samples?
Annual testing reports from the UK Health Security Agency, continue to show significant numbers of STIs in the throat and rectum (bum) of sexually active people. In 2024 for instance, 17% of all people testing positive for gonorrhoea had an infection found only in the throat. These infections can be present even without having penetrative sexual contact at those body sites. It is therefore currently recommended for people at increased risk of STIs, including some trans and gender-diverse persons, to take throat and rectal samples alongside a genital sample.
Please be reassured that helpful instructions will be included with your kit to support you taking your own samples, especially if you have not done this before.