Sexual health
confidence
if you need certainty or you need treatment, it starts with a test
Check from the comfort of your own home, then receive treatment if required
Authored on 24 January 2024 by Adeel Arshad,
Reviewed 24 January 2024 by Dr Ruch Karunadasa.
We send you a kit
Receive a test collection kit to your home.
Collect samples using the easy to follow instructions with the kit guiding you through the entire process.
You return the samples
Returning your test is simple. A prepaid wallet is provided, already barcoded specifically for you, with no need to enter your information. Once received your sample is processed in our testing service lab.
We send you the results
When your results are ready our fast electronic interface to the lab makes your results available same day. A member of our clinical team will review your results and recommend treatment based on the results.
Why use our sexual health test service?
- Safe and Discrete sample collection from your own home.
- Secure and discrete messaging with PrivateDoc when results are available.
- Laboratory Service provided by one of the largest pathology laboratories in Europe.
- Clinician review within 2 hours of receipt of results from the lab.
- Rapid results service, from Lab to PrivateDoc via an electronic interface.
- Prescription treatment available following clinical review of results.
Women's Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea test
This sexual health screens women for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea infections. Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are both common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK and are the most commonly sexually transmitted infections. If you have any concerns about having contracted an STI it is important that you refrain from unprotected sexual contact and are tested for infections.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and can lead to a range of health problems, from mild symptoms to serious and life-threatening conditions. Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HIV. Many people with STIs have no symptoms, so it's important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active to help prevent the spread of these infections. If you think you may have an STI, it's important to seek medical attention and get tested and treated as soon as possible to prevent complications and protect your sexual health.
Women's sexual health standard test
PrivateDoc's standard STI kit for women, tests for the most common sexually transmitted infections for females. This simple test kit makes it easy to collect samples for analysis by our laboratory service.
PrivateDoc's standard STI kit for women, tests for the most common sexually transmitted infections for females. This simple test kit makes it easy to collect samples for analysis by our laboratory service.
Women's sexual health complete test
The Women's complete sexual health test from PrivateDoc tests for all know sexually transmitted diseases via a number of collection samples. This test is comprehensive and easy to collect samples at home.
The Women's complete sexual health test from PrivateDoc tests for all know sexually transmitted diseases via a number of collection samples. This test is comprehensive and easy to collect samples at home.
STI Overview
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise and engaging in sexual activity without the use of a condom puts you at a higher risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most STIs are spread from person to person when you and your partner engage in unprotected vaginal sex, oral sex or anal sex. Some infections can also be spread just by the genital coming into contact with each other or by the sharing of sex toys which aren't cleaned properly or covered by a condom.
Every time you have sex without the correct use of a condom, you are putting yourself at risk of contracting an infection. It is a common myth that only someone with multiple sexual partners are at risk of catching a STI.
STI testing is not just suitable for those who have had unprotected sex however, taking an active role in protecting and maintaining your own sexual health is crucial. It’s a good idea to get tested every time you change your sexual partner, and to encourage your partner to do the same. Some people choose to get an STI check once a year, as part of maintaining their overall wellness and health.
Frequently asked questions sexual health tests
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How to protect yourself from catching a STI?
The best method of protection against sexually transmitted infections is by using a male condom or a female dam every time you have sex. Click here if you are unsure on how to use a male condom or here for how to use an internal female condom. Barrier methods shouldn't be limited to penetrative sex and should be used when engaging in oral sex also.
Limit the sharing of sexual aids such as toys. If you do share them, make sure to clean them thoroughly between each use and between each partner. Make sure to cover sex toys with a condom before each use.
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Can STIs be treated?
Many sexually transmitted infections can be treated effectively with short courses of treatment. It is best to start treatment as soon as possible to avoid developing any complications from the infection.
However, some infections will never leave your system, such as genital herpes, genital warts and HIV. There is medication available which can keep the symptoms of these infections at bay and delay the onset of complications associated with HIV such as AIDS.
If you do not treat the infections in a timely manner, then they can allow complications to develop which can lead to permanent damage to both your health and fertility. The infection can also be passed to others if not treated, which also allows the risk of longer term complications to be passed to your partner.
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How can I tell if I have and STD?
Not everyone who contracts a STD will display signs and symptoms of the infection. If you experience any of the following, then you should seek further advice -
- Pain when passing urine or during sexual intercourse.
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.
- Inflammation, pain, redness, itching, blisters or lumps around the genitals or anus.
- Bleeding after sex.
- Pain in the testicles or lower abdomen.
- Bleeding between periods.
PrivateDoc can help by organising the correct test to be sent to you and completed in the comfort of your home.
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What does the test involve?
For most sexually transmitted infections, a simple examination followed by a swab test is all that is needed to confirm a diagnosis. Sometimes your doctor may also require you to provide a urine sample.
PrivateDoc can help you by providing home testing kits for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, genital warts and HIV.
For more complicated infections such as hepatitis B or syphilis, then you must seek medical attention from your GP as a test will need to be taken to confirm diagnosis.
More information
If you require further information then visit SexWise for details on all sexually transmitted diseases.
PrivateDoc can provide you with convenient home testing kits as well as suitable treatments if you return a positive result.
Meet our expert team
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