STI testing
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections caused by bacteria or viruses that can be passed on through unprotected sex (sex without a condom).
STIs are very common and anyone having sex without using a condom can get one.
The best protection against STIs is to wear a condom every time you have sex.
There are many different types of STIs, and many have little or no symptoms so you may not know you have one.
That’s why testing is so important. Even if you don’t think you have an infection, if you have changed partners or have different sexual partners then regular testing is simply good sexual health practice.
You can find out more about the different signs and symptoms of STIs on our STI pages.
If you have a new sexual partner or change partners regularly, the best way to know your status is to take an STI test.
Testing is quick and easy and you’ll usually get your results in just a few days
You can access STI testing from:
-
- sexual health clinics
- some GPs
- pharmacies
- online at-home testing kits
- via your Personal Health Record (PHR) –
If you live in Plymouth, you can get testing through Sexual Health in Plymouth (SHiP)
STIs don’t always show up straight away after unprotected sex. Some infections take time before they can be detected:
- Most STIs: It’s best to wait 2 weeks after unprotected sex before testing. This gives you a more accurate result.
- HIV: You need to wait 6 weeks for the test to be reliable.
This waiting time is called the window period—the time it takes for an infection to show up on a test.
Testing too early might give you a false result. Sexual Health clinics can give you advice if needed.
Getting tested is usually quick and simple. Depending on what you’re being checked for, it might include:
- A quick look at your genitals (just to make sure everything looks healthy)
- A swab – this is like a cotton bud that gently takes a sample from inside the vagina or from the tip of the penis
- A urine sample – you’ll just pee in a pot
- A blood test – a small sample taken from your arm or finger
There are also at-home self testing options that you can order online or through your personal health record (PHR).
The tests come with simple, clear instructions as to how to use. Most tests only take a few minutes and you’ll receive your results within a few days.
If you test positive, then you will be offered help and advice as to the best treatment.
Most STIs can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics.
If you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it’s really important to let your sexual partner(s) know. This helps them get tested and treated too – so the infection doesn’t keep spreading.
How can I tell them?
- Partner Notification: Some sexual health clinics can contact your partners for you without sharing your name. This can make things easier.
- Tell them yourself: You can also choose to tell your partners directly. It may feel awkward or scary, but most people appreciate honesty – and its the right thing to do for their health.
STI testing always involves a screen for 4 things:
Testing for other STIs may be offered, if appropriate based on your symptoms and sexual history.
If you have paid for STI testing online or in a clinic, you may have been tested for bacteria or viruses that are normally present in that part of the body and not thought to cause harm. Services that offer these tests may not be regulated and, unlike NHS services, may not follow national guidelines.
Testing for these bacteria may result in treatment with antibiotics that are not needed or might not benefit a person’s health. This can lead to a lot of unnecessary worry and affect people’s mental wellbeing and confidence. This leaflet explains why some bacteria and viruses are not tested for or treated in the NHS, and the potential problem with taking unnecessary antibiotics.
Which bacteria or viruses are not tested for in NHS services?
- Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen), unless you have symptoms suggestive of Mgen infection
- Mycoplasma hominis (MH) (not to be confused with Mycoplasma genitalium)
- Ureaplasma parvum (UP)
- Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)
- Herpes simplex, unless you have symptoms suggestive of herpes
