STI Testing

Looking after your sexual health

A Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is an infection passed on through sexual activity.
STls can spread through:

  • Unprotected vaginal sex
  • Unprotected oral sex
  • Unprotected anal sex
  • Sharing sex toys
  • Close genital contact

Did you know that the most common symptom of an STI is no symptoms? Many people that have an STI don’t realise. STls can lead to long-term health problems if they are not treated. These problems include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or infertility (not being able to get pregnant).

Doing an STI test is the only way to know if you have an STI. A test is recommended if you have had unprotected sex, have a new partner or if your partner may have had sex with someone else.

Some STIs increase the risk of an infection after an abortion. At your abortion appointment we will offer you screening tests for:

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhoea
  • HIV
  • Syphilis

How We Test for STIs at NUPAS

Taking samples for STI tests

Our STI tests are very quick.  All we need is a finger prick blood sample, urine sample or small cotton bud swab of vaginal discharge – please see diagrams below.  The swabs may feel uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful.

Taking samples for STI tests infographic

STI Test Results

Test results may be available the same day. Some results can take a couple of weeks to come back. Your privacy is very important when we handle your test results. We will ask you how you would like the results to be sent to you.

It’s a good idea to avoid having sex or close sexual contact until you get your test results.

If You Test Positive

If you are diagnosed with an STI, try not to worry. Most STls are easy to treat with antibiotics. You will be asked to avoid sex until after the infection is treated. This will stop reinfection or passing the infection to someone else.

If you have an STI, it’s important to tell your recent sexual partner(s) from the last 6 months. They will need to get tested and may be offered treatment too. We can support you to identify and contact them.

Preventing STIs

Protection

Condoms are the only contraception that protects against STIs. We offer all our patients condoms to take away with them.

Future STI testing

Talk to your partner about getting tested and staying sexually healthy. If you have a new partner, it is a good idea for you both to be tested for STIs before having sex. Although we can’t offer you STI tests after your abortion care is complete, you can get tests and treatment any time from:

  • A contraception and sexual health (CaSH) clinic
  • A specialist service like Brook (for under 25s)
  • Your GP surgery.

See the NHS Choices website for local services.

Preventing STIs

The STIs We Test For:

Get in touch with NUPAS

Give us a call:

United Kingdom:
0333 004 6666

Republic of Ireland:
(01) 874 0097

Overseas:
0044 161 4872660

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