At Home STI Tests
Test discreetly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from the comfort of your home. Get results, advice & treatment in just 72 hours.
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No face to face appointments or trips to a clinic. Test for the most common STIs from your home.
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Get tested quickly with rapid next-day delivery in discreet, unmarked packaging and FREE return postage
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Results, advice & treatment (if needed) from our expert doctors in 72 hours. All online and hassle free.
If you've had unprotected sex or you're worried you've caught an STI, you need to get tested quickly to know for sure and avoid spreading it. With our service, you can get answers confidentially without leaving your home.
We provide tests for over 14 different STIs and get results to you within 72 hours.
All you have to do is:
- Choose the test kit you want – If you're unsure, you can message our doctors directly for advice or complete our free advice form
- Place your order online
- Take your test at home
- FREE postage to send your sample to our lab
- Get results & advice in 72 hours
We will provide a full report explaining your results and what to do next.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. IkejiLast reviewed: 18 Dec 2025
Available Test Kits
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Delivery Options
How it Works
About STI Testing
When to get tested for an STI
You should get an STI test as soon as you think you may have been infected. It’s a good idea to get tested if you:
- have recently changed sexual partners
- are sexually active, having unprotected sex, or have had multiple partners
- have symptoms of an STI
- have had sex with someone who has an STI
- are a student going to university or are returning from university
- have been informed that a previous or current sexual partner has an STI
Can I take an STI test if I have no symptoms?
Yes, you can and should take an STI test even if you do not have any symptoms because many STIs do not cause any symptoms. That means you could have an infection and pass it on to your sexual partners without knowing. The only way to know if you have an STI for sure is to get tested.
How soon after unprotected sex should I test for an STI?
How long you will need to wait to get an STI test after unprotected sex will depend on the STI you think you might have. This is because it can take different lengths of time for the infection to show up on a test.
| Type of STI | How long to wait |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 2 weeks |
| Gonorrhoea | 2 weeks |
| HIV | 6 to 7 weeks |
| Hepatitis B | 12 weeks |
| Hepatitis C | 12 weeks | Syphilis | 3 to 6 weeks |
How to use a home test kit
How you use a home test kit will depend on the type of sample you need to provide.
Urine tests
In men and women, a first-catch urine (FCU) sample can be collected for a chlamydia and gonorrhoea test.
For an FCU, you’ll need to:
- collect urine that has been held in the bladder for at least an hour, preferably first thing in the morning
- make sure you collect the first flow of urine
A urine test is the most accurate STI test for men. It involves peeing into a small pot, similar to the one given by your GP.
Genital swab tests
In women: A vulvovaginal swab is used to collect a sample. This can be done by yourself at home and involves inserting the swab around 5cm into the vagina and rotating gently for 10 to 30 seconds.
In men: A urethral swab is inserted into the urethra, around 2 to 4cm and rotated once to collect a sample.
Oral swab
Men and women can use a test kit to swab for oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The test requires a sample to be taken from the back of the throat.
Anal swab
Men and women can use an anal test kit to check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. You’ll need to collect a sample by inserting the swab into your rectum.
Blood test
A blood test is used to check for STIs, such as HIV and syphilis in men and women. An at-home finger-prick blood test is used to collect a few drops of blood that can be sent to our partner lab to check for antibodies that would suggest an infection.
MSM tests
Our basic and full STI tests can also be used for men who have sex with men (MSM). These kits can include blood, urine, throat, and rectal swab samples to check for a range of infections, like:
- syphilis
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- HIV
How accurate are at-home STI tests?
According to the NHS, at-home STI tests can be just as reliable and accurate as tests carried out in a sexual health clinic, if they are done correctly. But, no test is 100% accurate.
Most tests are measured in terms of sensitivity (the chance of no false negative) and specificity (the chance of no false positive). For example, our vaginal chlamydia test has less than a 3%* chance of a false negative, and only a 1.5%* chance of a false positive.
Our male gonorrhoea test (urine test) has a 1.3%* chance of a false negative and only a 0.3%* chance of a false positive.
* statistics provided by our partner laboratory: The Doctors Laboratory (TDL)
Getting your test results
Once you have returned your sample to our laboratory, you should receive your results around 2 to 3 days after they have received it, depending on the test.
When your results are available, one of our doctors will message you through our secure messaging service. You can view your results securely by logging into your Superdrug Online Doctor account. Our doctors will never send your results via text or email.
How long will it take to get your results?
You should receive your results 2 to 3 days after our lab has received your sample.
Some test results can take longer:
- HIV test: 3 to 5 days
- Extended STI test: 4 to 5 days
Are my test results kept confidential?
Yes, your STI test results are completely confidential. Once they’re available, they will be sent to you via your patient account. You will receive an email or text notification letting you know they are available to view. However, we will never email or text your results directly to you. You should receive your results within 72 hours of your sample being received by our partner lab.
We will not inform any other party about your results, including your GP. If you would like us to let your doctor know, please speak with one of our doctors.
What to do if I test positive for an STI?
If you test positive for an STI, our doctors will be able to advise you on what to do next, including treatment advice.
Superdrug Online Doctor can provide a prescription for the treatment you need if you test positive for chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, or trichomonas. You will also receive advice about the proactive things you can do to stop the spread of STIs and how you can manage your symptoms at home. You should also let any sexual partners know about this. If you prefer, and receive a positive test result from us, we can do this for you anonymously.
If you test positive for syphilis or gonorrhoea, you will need to get treatment from a sexual health clinic, as it usually requires an injectable treatment. How long you will need to receive treatment will depend on how long you have been infected. Hepatitis treatment depends on the type you have and whether you have any other health conditions, and must be managed by your GP.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but it can be managed with the appropriate treatment, allowing you to live a healthy life. If you test positive for HIV, one of our doctors will give you advice on what you need to do next.
Could I get a false positive result?
Yes, there’s a small chance of a false positive result – a positive result when you do not have an STI. However, we provide reliable, accredited tests, for example, the chance of a false positive is less than 0.2%* when taking a male, urine chlamydia test and less than 0.4%* when taking a female gonorrhoea test.
No test is always 100% accurate, so some people may receive a false positive result when using an at-home STI test. It’s important to do the test correctly and at the right time to improve the accuracy, and send it straight to the lab after you’ve taken the sample.
*statistics provided by our partner laboratory: The Doctors Laboratory (TDL)
Do I need a follow-up test?
For most STIs, you will only need one test as long as the test was taken within the correct testing windows, but you might consider a follow-up test after 3 months, particularly if you did not take the treatment as instructed or did not follow your doctor's advice. You should retest if you experience any STI symptoms, even after you have received treatment.
If you get a positive HIV or syphilis test, you will need to go to a sexual health clinic or your GP for treatment. They may require you to do another test.
Where else can I get tested?
As well as home STI test kits from Superdrug Online Doctor, you can also get tested at:
- your GP practice
- a walk-in sexual health clinic
- a genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM)
- a community contraception clinic
- a pharmacy
Where can I get a free STI test?
You can get a free STI test at your GP or any walk-in sexual health clinic.
Can I get a free STI test through the NHS?
Yes, you should be able to get a free STI test through the NHS. You can find local sexual health information and support online.
Can you buy STI tests over the counter?
Yes, you can get over-the-counter or at-home STI tests. Although you do not need a prescription or approval from a doctor to obtain them, you will usually need to order them online from pharmacies or online doctor services, like Superdrug Online Doctor, rather than getting them “off the shelf”.
Treating STIs
Different treatments are available for different STIs. The type of treatment you’ll need will depend on the type of STI you have. Treatments range from antiviral medications to antibiotics and can be in the form of creams or tablets.
Genital herpes: An acute genital herpes outbreak is treated with a 5-day course of aciclovir tablets. For preventative treatment, you will need to take aciclovir tablets daily for 6 to 12 months. Other treatments include valaciclovir and famiciclovir (if aciclovir or valaciclovir do not work for you).
Chlamydia treatment: Doxycycline is the preferred treatment option for chlamydia. You’ll need to take one doxycycline tablet twice a day for 7 days.
Genital warts: Genital warts are treated with a topical cream, Aldara, or Warticon.
Trichomoniasis: You’ll need a course of antibiotics called metronidazole to treat trichomoniasis. It is available in 2 different dosages – a single 2g dose or a course of 400mg tablets taken twice a day for 7 days.
What are sexually transmitted infections?
There are many different types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some have no symptoms, while others can cause serious symptoms which, if left untreated, may cause complications like infertility.
The most common STIs are:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- genital herpes
- HIV
Some of the most common STI symptoms in men are:
- itching around genital areas
- sores, blisters or warts around genital areas
- pain or burning when peeing
- discharge from your anus or penis that is unusual
- sore, swollen, or uncomfortable testicles
The most common STI symptoms in women are:
- itching around genital areas
- unusual vaginal bleeding, such as between periods or after sex
- sores, blisters or warts around genital areas
- pain when peeing
- unusual discharge from your anus or vagina
- pain during sex
Can STIs go away on their own?
No, most STIs do not go away on their own and will need treatment because leaving them untreated could lead to serious, long-term health issues. Some people may get physical symptoms, while others may not get any, making it easier to pass the infection on unknowingly.
If you do not get treatment for an STI, it can lead to complications, such as infertility or organ damage. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
Are all STIs curable?
No, not all STIs are curable. Some, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis, are curable with antibiotics, while others, like HIV, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B, are not curable but can be managed with treatment.
Preventing STIs
There are several simple ways you can protect yourself from STIs. The best way is to use a condom when you have sex. Condoms are the only method of contraception that can prevent STIs, and male and female versions are available. Alongside condoms, other safe sex measures that can prevent STIs include:
- using water or silicone-based lubricant during anal sex to reduce the chance of condom breakage
- limiting the number of sexual partners you have
- getting regularly tested for STIs, such as yearly or each time you have a new sexual partner
- talking openly with your partners about your sexual health, STI status, and contraception use
- staying up to date with vaccinations or taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV transmission
- avoiding drugs and alcohol, which can reduce your chance of safe sex
FAQs
Can you take an STI test while on your period?
Yes, you can usually take an STI test while on your period, and it should not affect the accuracy of your results. Most tests, including urine and swab tests, are not impacted by menstrual blood, but you may find it a little more difficult to collect a swab sample – though it will not interfere with the results.
Can a smear test detect an STI?
No, a cervical screening test, also known as a smear test, does not test for STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, or hepatitis. A smear test is designed to screen for cervical cancer, which is caused by specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
How do I know which STI test I need?
The type of STI test you will need will depend on your sexual activity, potential exposure, and any symptoms you might have. If you are not sure, a doctor or pharmacist can help you decide which test is the right one for you based on the types of sex you have had. Alternatively, you can choose tests such as the female full STI test or the male full STI test, which test for a wide range of STIs, including:
- 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
Are home STI tests reliable?
Yes, at-home STI tests are generally considered accurate and can be as reliable as in-clinic tests as long as you follow the instructions carefully. At-home tests are generally the preferred method of testing, with some research showing that home-based testing rates are 11 times greater than clinic-based screening. Some of the STI tests supplied by Superdrug Online Doctor, such as the chlamydia and gonorrhoea test, are 100% accurate when used correctly*.
*statistics provided by our partner lab, TDL. Please note: the accuracy of this test is dependent on it being taken correctly and at the right time.
Can I take an STI test if I’m pregnant?
Yes, you take an STI test if you are pregnant, even if you do not have any STI symptoms, because some infections can affect your health and your baby’s health. Routine screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B is offered as part of antenatal care, and you can also request tests for other STIs. Our at-home tests are safe to use while pregnant. If you have any questions, contact our doctors via your patient account or speak to your GP or midwife for more advice.
How often should I take an STI test?
If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you take an STI test once a year, even if you have no symptoms and are in a long-term relationship with just 1 partner. You should also get tested each time you get a new sexual partner. If you have multiple or casual sexual partners, or you’re in a high-risk group (such as men who have sex with men or a sex worker), you should consider getting an STI test every 3 months.
Sources
- STI Testing at home, NHS Inform. [accessed 27 November 2025]
- Visiting a sexual health clinic, NHS [accessed 27 November 2025]
- Getting tested for an STI: Your guide to how it works, UK Health Security Agency [accessed 27 November 2025]
- Screening for STIs at Home or in the Clinic?, Current opinion in infectious diseases [accessed 27 November 2025]
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), WHO [accessed 27 November 2025]
