Sleeping with someone new? Enjoying a multitude of lovers? In a monogamous relationship but realised you haven’t checked your sexual health for some time? Perhaps you had unprotected sex, missed a pill or the condom split, or maybe you’re worried about something going on “down there”.

Whatever your reasons for having a sexual health check, good for you for being proactive. Good sex is safe sex and keeping on top of your sexual health is essential for having a fulfilling sex life. But where to get a sexual health check? What’s involved? And how do you find out your results? Keep reading for answers.

Why have an STI check?

All good things are littered with nasty consequences and sex is no different. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)) are viral or bacterial infections that can be passed between bodies during unprotected sex acts and sexual intercourse. Some can wreak havoc on mouths or genitals and others can affect fertility, so it’s important to regularly get tested to ensure you don’t pass an infection to someone you’re sleeping with. Fortunately, most common STIs are treatable, so don’t panic if you do have one.

Bare in mind that some STIs have no symptoms (like chlamydia and gonorrhoea) which makes it all the more essential to get checked. If you are displaying symptoms, it can be tempting to ignore them and hope they’ll go away on their own. The chances are they won’t, so seek treatment from a healthcare practitioner.

Don’t believe the common STI myths

Anyone can contract an STI, no matter how many partners you’ve had or how many times you’ve had sex.

You can catch an STI from oral sex – some infections, including gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can live in the throat.

It’s not only men who have sex with other men who can catch HIV. It can affect any sexually active person, no matter their gender or sexuality.

No, you can’t catch HIV from using the same glass, plate, fork, towel or loo seat as someone infected. You can only catch HIV if the bodily fluid (semen, vaginal fluid or blood – not saliva) of an infected individual gets inside your body.

No, you can’t catch herpes from a loo seat.

Washing your genitals after sex won’t protect you from catching an STI if you had sex with someone who has an infection. Wear a condom, or a dental dam if having oral sex.

Getting tested straight after having unprotected sex isn’t necessarily best. Some STIs have an incubation period, so wait a minimum of two weeks for an accurate sexual health check (although it can take up to six weeks for HIV to show up).

If someone has an STI, there’s no certainty they’ll pass this on 100% of the time (but don’t take the risk).

Where to get an STI test?

If you’re in the UK, you can get tested and treated at:

• Clinics that are specifically designed to provide advice, STI tests and treatment for young people
• Most hospitals (sexual health clinics at hospitals are also known as “GUM clinics”
• Some GP surgeries (even if you’re under 16 years old)
• Your home (sort of). Many sexual health organisations provide at-home testing kits that you can send off to a lab for your results and advice on any necessary treatment

Since Covid, many clinics have paused walk-in appointments, so call up or check online before visiting a walk-in clinic. If you decide to go into a clinic for a test, you’ll have a consultation with a doctor or nurse who’ll ask you questions about the last time you had sex, whether it was protected or unprotected and if you’re concerned about any symptoms. Answering these questions honestly helps the healthcare practitioner decide which STI tests you might need.

Depending on the STI you’re being tested for, there are different types of samples taken:

• A urine sample tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis
• A blood test checks for HIV and syphilis
• A swab (on the tip of the penis or inside the vagina, rectum or throat) tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis
• Physical examinations test for genital herpes, pubic lice (crabs) and genital warts

You may get some of your results in the clinic room, or the sample may be sent to a lab and you receive your results within a few weeks.

How does an at-home STI check work?

Before you order your STI test, consider which STIs you’d like to test for. The two most common STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhoea – although it’s a good idea to test for a range of infections and most at-home kits include tests for multiple STIs. Many services offer free at-home testing kits but there are also STI test kits available to purchase online (see Useful Resources below). You can still order an at-home testing kit if you’re under 16 years old, but the provider is likely to want to speak with you first to check you’re okay and help you understand what to expect.

At-home self-sampling kits for STIs will come with instructions (and sometimes a link to a video). Read these first, but as a guide: a long swab, similar to a cotton bud, will be provided for vaginal, throat and rectal samples. Gently insert the swab as per instructions and secure in the transportation tube provided. For urine samples, there will be a collection pouch and transportation pack – it’s best to use your first wee of the day.

Taking your own blood sample can be a bit tricky which is why at-home STI testing kits often supply more than one lancet (finger prick devices). Drinking excessive alcohol or taking drugs the night before inhibits blood flow because of dehydration and having cold hands or being in a rush doesn’t help either. If you feel nervous or are worried you won’t be able to take your blood sample, ask a friend to help. Prepare the collection tube before you prick your finger – stand the tube up, have a tissue nearby and the provided plaster open and ready. (It sounds nerve-wracking, don’t worry, it isn’t.) Take your time, warm your hands up in a warm sink of water and try to take your blood sample with your hand positioned lower than your waist. Prick your finger with the lancet (it will only work once so push firmly), wipe away the first drop of blood and gently massage your finger from the base to the tip to help the blood flow. Let the blood drip into the tube – try not to get it everywhere! If you’re massaging with increasing pressure and no blood is coming out, use a new lancet on a new finger. You might be left with a small bruise on the tip of your finger but this should heal within a few days. If you have any unused lancets, keep these – you might need them next time!

The at-home kit will include a returns box and pre-paid label – just make sure you label your samples, put them all in the box, secure it and then pop it in the post.

How will I get my STI results?

If you attend a clinic or your GP, the doctor or nurse will ask you how you’d like to receive your results: text message, phone call or unmarked post. You’ll get your results from your at-home testing kit via text after they’ve been analysed in the lab – usually within seven days, but it can be up to three weeks. If your results indicate you have contracted an STI, advice will be sent with your results on the next steps and treatment.

What should I do if I find out I have an STI?

Most STIs can be treated with antibiotics and your doctor or nurse will advise you on a suitable course of action. They’ll also recommend you speak with any current sexual partners and any recent sexual partners (especially those since you last had an STI check). If you’re nervous to speak with partners, your doctor or nurse can help. Only resume having sex once you’ve received the “all-clear” and use protection to avoid catching anything else.

Will my friends, parents or teachers find out I had an STI test? Will they get hold of my results?

In the UK, all sexual health services are free, confidential and (should be!) non-judgemental. Your parents, friends and teachers won’t find out you’ve sought an STI test, and your results won’t be shared with your parents or teachers. This is true for anyone, regardless of age. If the nurse or doctor thinks you (or another young person) are in danger or at risk, they might discuss your case with another healthcare practitioner but they will talk with you first. (Visit the NHS website for more information on sexual health support if you’re under 16 years old.)

Useful Resources:

• A comprehensive guide to STIs
• Brook – STI page here, home testing kit here (for chlamydia and gonorrhoea only, not available in Brighton)
• Discover the contraceptive that’s right for you
• Sexwise
• Switchboard: the LGBT+ helpline
• Terrence Higgins Trust

Sexual Health Clinics and At-Home Kits Available Around the UK:

• NHS Service Search – find a sexual health clinic
• Let’s Talk About It – part of Solent NHS Trust in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
• SHL.uk – Sexual Health London
• Sexual Health Clinics in London
• SH.uk – Sexual Health around the UK
• Sexual Health Clinics in Brighton. If you live in Brighton, order an at-home STI test kit here.
• Sexual Health services in the north of England: North, Central and South Manchester, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford
• Sexual Health Clinics in Nottinghamshire (and at-home testing kits for Nottingham postcodes)
• Sexual Health Cornwall
• Sexual Health in Plymouth
• Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire sexual health clinics can be found here, but you’ll need a referral from your GP. Alternatively, try out Better2Know
• Sexual Health Clinics in Wales. Home-testing kits and advice for those living in Wales can be found here
• Book a sexual health check-up at a clinic in Scotland here. And Scottish residents can make a phone consultation appointment online to order an at-home STI kit here
• Fettle Health – purchase an STI kit online for c. £20, receive results within 72 hours

Photo by Testalize.me on Unsplash