STI testing at home

The STI testing kit contains all the items and information you need to take your own samples.

You take the samples yourself. Follow the instructions provided with your kit on how to return the sample. Your samples are then delivered to the laboratory for testing.

Women and other people with vaginas will be sent a single swab. Men and other people with penises will be sent a urine test if they only have vaginal sex, or will be sent a urine test and 2 extra swabs (throat and rectal) if they have partners with penises. People who sell sex may be sent additional tests.

STIs often take a few days or weeks after sex to show up on tests. This is called the window period.

To be sure the results are correct for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, wait 2 weeks after possible exposure to test. If you are treated for either of these, the test can continue to appear 'positive’ for 6 weeks afterwards, even though the infection has cleared. Do not re-test within this 6 week period unless asked to do so by your service.

To be sure the results are correct for syphilis and HIV, wait 6 weeks after possible exposure to test. If you have symptoms, contact your service for review.

In areas where this is available, you can only order 1 kit every 3 months.

It’s a good idea for everyone who is sexually active to book a test for STIs and HIV once a year, even if this is with just 1 partner. If you are changing partners, it’s advised to test at least every 6 months.

Some people should consider testing more often (around every 3 months), such as:

• people with high numbers of sexual partners
• people using PrEP
• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are changing partners
• people involved in selling sex

If your sex life changes, then your testing routine may have to change as well.

You may require a test sooner if you have symptoms.

It's important to take action as soon as possible if you:

• have had sex without contraception or the contraception has failed
• think you might have been sexually exposed to HIV
• are thinking about having an abortion and are unsure what to do
• have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 7 days

There are some situations where it may be better for you to contact your local sexual health service for STI testing rather than doing it yourself. You should consider doing this if:

• your current sexual partner, who you regularly have sex with, has been diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhoea within last 14 days
• you have been at high risk of getting HIV within the last 72 hours
• you or your partner injects recreational drugs
• you or your partner are from a country with a high prevalence of HIV and/or hepatitis – staff can help you get all the tests that you need
• you sell or exchange sexual activity in any form (this is to make sure you can benefit from the additional support and services that can be provided in person)
• you have been sexually assaulted
• you have sexual health concerns and would like advice, information or support
• you have symptoms that you think may be associated with an STI

You can still order the STI testing kit to do yourself, if available in your area. But you'll be offered further advice, care and support at a sexual health clinic.

If you're a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, then it may be better for you to contact your local sexual health service for STI testing rather than doing it yourself if you:

• have not visited a sexual health clinic before
• need hepatitis vaccines or screening
• would like HPV vaccination
• wish to start PrEP
• want other sexual health advice

Further information about sexual health services available to gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

When requesting a test kit, you need to describe your body parts and partners so the correct kit is sent. If you're trans or non-binary and would prefer to speak to someone about which test kit is right for you, contact your local sexual health clinic.

It also may be better for you to contact your local sexual health service for STI testing rather than doing it yourself if you:

• have not visited a sexual health clinic before
• need hepatitis vaccines or screening
• would like HPV vaccination
• wish to start PrEP
• want other sexual health advice

STI testing at home is not available if you're under 16. This is to make sure NHS Scotland can address all of your sexual health needs.

Instead, you can contact your local sexual health service for STI testing. The staff can make sure that you get all the information and support you need.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Remove swab from packaging without touching cotton end.
3. Insert cotton end of swab 2 to 3 inches inside vagina and gently wiggle for 15 seconds. Remove without touching the outside of your body.
4. Unscrew tube without spilling liquid. Insert swab, cotton end down, and snap against lip of tube at snap-line. Screw lid back on tightly.
5. Make sure lids are on securely before placing tube(s) in sample bag with absorbent pad inside.
6. Seal the sample bag then place inside the returns box.

1. You can do this test at any time of day, you do not have to hold your urine overnight before doing the test.
2. Wash then dry your hands before and after taking your test to ensure accurate results.
3. Open the urine container and pass a small amount of urine inside.
4. Take the lid off the sample tube. Take care not to spill the liquid in the tube.
5. Use the pipette to suck up some urine. Squeeze the top of the pipette to get the urine into the tube until you reach the 'full' line.
6. Screw the lid back on tightly. Pour remaining urine into the toilet.

1. Wash then dry your hands before and after taking your test to ensure accurate results.
2. Remove the swab from the packaging. Part your buttocks and insert the swab 2 to 3 centimentes.
3. Gently twist the swab on one side of the rectal wall and remove.
4. Take the lid off the sample tube. Take care not to spill the liquid in the tube.
5. Put the cotton end into the tube then snap off the end of the swab at the notch.
6. Screw the lid onto the tube tightly to avoid any leakage.

1. Wash then dry your hands before and after taking your test to ensure accurate results.
2. Remove the swab from the packaging.
3. Swab firmly against back of throat several times, on both sides. Try not to let the swab touch anywhere else.
4. Take the lid off the sample tube. Take care not to spill the liquid in the tube.
5. Put the cotton end of the swab into the tube then snap off the end of the swab at the notch.
6. Screw the lid onto the tube tightly to avoid any leakage.

1. Wash your hands in warm water for a few minutes to help with the blood flow. Dry thoroughly.
2. Unscrew red-topped microtainer and stand upright on table.
3. Clean the side of the index finger of your non-writing hand with wipe provided. Shake hand at waist level to help blood flow.
4. Twist and pull blue tip from lancet. Hold lancet in hand you write with.
5. Locate lancet against the side of your cleaned finger. Press onto it firmly until you hear a click, then discard it. Wipe excess blood with a tissue to help it form a drop.
6. Let blood drops fall into tube, massaging your knuckle to help blood flow. You must reach the fill line. You can try more than one finger. Press hard on finger to stop bleeding.

You can download these blood sample instructions (PDF, 615 KB)

One of the health advisors at your local sexual health service will usually contact you to arrange treatment. You might get a text to let you know to contact the service or they may phone you.

All the infections tested for can be treated through your local sexual health clinic. Staff will explain what you need to do to get the treatment that you need.