What is a Male STI test?

A male STI test is a kit that is used at home to check for common STIs in men. This is done by taking a urine (pee) sample, a cotton swab of the throat and anus, and a small finger prick blood sample.

There are two different male STI tests, a basic and a full screening test. The basic test checks for some common STIs, while the full screening tests for a wider range, like genital herpes and hepatitis.

What does the basic male STI test check for?

The basic male STI test checks for a number of different STIs including:

• gonorrhoea of the genitals, throat and anus

• chlamydia of the genitals, throat and anus

• syphilis

• HIV

What does the full male STI test check for?

The full male STI test checks for:

• gonorrhoea of the genitals, throat, and anus

• chlamydia of the genitals, throat, and anus

• syphilis

• HIV

• hepatitis B and C

• genital herpes

• trichomoniasis

• ureaplasma

• mycoplasma

• gardnerella

What are these infections?

Gonorrhoea: Typical symptoms of this infection caused by bacteria include pain when peeing and yellow discharge from the penis. Around 1 in 10 infected men do not get any symptoms at all. This is usually treated with a single antibiotic injection.

Chlamydia: One of the most common in the UK and most people do not know they have it. If you do get symptoms, the most common include pain when peeing, discharge from the penis, and swelling in the testicles. Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.

Syphilis: This STI is caused by bacteria. It can cause serious problems if left untreated but can be cured with antibiotics. The most common symptoms include ulcers on the penis, rashes, white patches in the mouth, fever, tiredness, and headaches.

HIV: Caused by a virus which damages the cells in your body, making it harder for you to fight off infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS. There is no cure but there are treatments to stop symptoms which contain specific combinations of antiviral medication, slightly similar to PrEP. Please note PreP medication is not a treatment for HIV and is for pre-exposure prohylaxis only. HIV can cause flu symptoms 2 to 6 weeks after infection but some people do not develop symptoms at the early stages, meaning they do not know they have it.

Genital herpes: Caused by a virus called herpes simplex and is very contagious. You can also catch cold sores on the lips, which can be transmitted to the genitals, if they come into contact. The virus stays in the body and sometimes you will get outbreaks. The most common symptoms of an outbreak are tingling and pain in the penis or testicles, pain when peeing, and small blisters around the penis. Antiviral medication and pain relief can be given to treat outbreaks.

Ureaplasma: Caused by bacteria that is commonly found in the genital area. The bacteria can overgrow, leading to symptoms. The most common symptoms include pain when peeing, burning, or discharge from the penis.

Hepatitis B and C: Both of these STIs are caused by a virus, which leads to liver infections. It can also be spread through sharing needles, having tattoos or medical or dental treatment without sterilised equipment, or can be passed from an infected mother to her child. People with HIV are more likely to get Hepatitis B or C. There is no cure but there are treatments to stop symptoms. The most common symptoms include stomach pain, fever, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), and nausea (feeling sick). If you’ve recently received a hepatitis B vaccination, you should wait 8 weeks before taking this test. You may get a false positive result if you take this test sooner.

Trichomoniasis: This STI is caused by a tiny parasite. Half of people do not get any symptoms but can still pass on the infection. The most common symptoms include pain when peeing, swelling or redness around the foreskin, and discharge from the penis. Trichomoniasis can be treated with antibiotics.

Mycoplasma: Caused by bacteria and is found in around 1 in 100 adults. The most common symptoms are a watery discharge from the penis and pain when peeing. It can be hard to treat, so you may need a few different antibiotic treatments to get rid of the infection.

Gardnerella: This is a species of bacteria that can contribute to bacterial vaginosis (BV) and mainly causes symptoms in women. For men, it can cause an inflammation of the urethra (where pee and semen passes through). Men usually do not show any symptoms though and do not need treatment, but it may be passed to a female partner.

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How does the test work?

You can do the test yourself at home. The test works by taking a cotton swab in the throat and anus (bottom), a small blood sample from a finger prick, and a urine sample. These samples are then tested at a lab where results can be given in 2 to 3 days.

The male STI test is very sensitive at picking up infections, as long as you follow the instructions carefully. Instructions for the test can be found in the kit. If you have had unprotected sex, you should get tested for infections, but some infections may not be detectable until some time after you had sex. You should talk to your doctor about this and make sure you are taking the test at the right time.

How accurate is the Male STI test?

Following the instructions in the kit is the best way to get accurate results. Some STIs take a few weeks or months to show up on an STI test, this is known as the incubation period. If you take a test too early, you may test negative even if you have the STI. Each STI has a different incubation period, so if you are unsure, speak with a doctor. 

How to use the Male STI test

The male STI test kit is easy to use and includes instructions. You will need to take 4 samples. For the urine sample, you simply need to pee in the sample bottle.

The cotton swabs are used at the back of the throat and in the anus. You must gently swab the area, for around 10 to 30 seconds to get the most accurate results.

For blood samples, you must use the lancet. Clean the finger first and use the side of the fingertip. Gently squeeze the fingertip to form droplets of blood, which you will catch in a small tube. There will be a few lancets included if you need to use more than one.

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When should I get tested?

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How quickly will I get my results?

Results can be given 2 to 3 days after your sample reaches our lab. With Superdrug Online Doctor, you can order before 4pm for next day delivery. Orders after 4pm will be sent the next working day. This means you can get results within 5 to 7 days, as long as you take your test and send it back straight away. 

How long do you have to wait for a test?

When ordering a test, you can choose next day delivery at checkout. This must be by 4pm, otherwise it will be sent the next working day. 

How long do Male STI test results take?

Your results will be sent 2 to 3 days after your sample reaches our lab. Our doctors will then contact you through your Superdrug patient account. This is an encrypted channel, meaning it is completely private. In some cases, a doctor may call you. We will never contact you through email or text with your results, to maintain discretion.

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What do my results mean?

Your results will let you know whether you have tested positive or negative for an STI. Negative results mean that you did not have the STI when you did the test, or the STI may still be in its incubation period. Positive results mean that you have an STI. Our doctors can help you find the right treatment. 

What does a negative test result mean?

A negative result means that you tested negative for an STI. This means at the time of the test you do not have the STI. It may also mean that the STI was in its incubation period, so cannot be detected yet. In that case, the doctor may advise you to repeat the test some days or weeks later.

What does a positive test result mean?

A positive result means that you have tested positive for an STI. This means at the time of the test, you have an STI. If you test positive, our doctors can provide advice on next steps and what treatment is best for you. Treatments for some infections are also available from our doctors.

What does a false positive test mean?

A false positive test is a test that has come back positive, but you do not have an STI. This can happen on rare occasions and you may be asked to take another test.

What causes a false positive test?

A false positive test is usually caused by the test itself, as no test is 100% accurate all of the time. This is rare but speak to a doctor if you think you have a false positive test. If the doctor thinks your test might be a false positive, they will ask you to get further tests at a clinic.

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What should I do if I test positive?

If you test positive, our doctors can provide advice on next steps. They can offer treatment where possible (this will depend on the STI), or can direct you to somewhere you can get specialist treatment. You should contact your partners if you test positive, as they also need to take an STI test.

Do I need to contact my partners if I test positive?

Yes, you need to contact any partners you have had protected or unprotected sex with. This is so they can also get tested and get treatment if they need it. This is important to stop the infection spreading. We can contact sexual partners for you anonymously if you have a positive test from one of our test kits.

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Sources

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