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STI testing

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
What is involved when you get an STI test for both men and women?

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    They take swobs dont they? erm im not sure. x
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    In a full STI test, they take some blood, and then take some swabs from the cervix (in girls). It's a bit... odd, but like a smear test. In men they take swabs from inside the tip of the penis, i think.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Sa-ra-ra-ra
    In men they take swabs from inside the tip of the penis, i think.

    Yeah, they shove a swab down the end of the penis :eek:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i had to strip below my waist and sit on a very high chair with my feet in stirrups to keep my legs spread. then the doc took swabs using cottonwool buds. i then also had a urine and blood test.

    dont worry it doesnt hurt, and i didnt feel uncomfortable in the slightest.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It really depends what sort of STI test you are having. If you are going for an HIV test they will take a blood test and you can either return for the results or they can send them to you - this can take anything from a few hours to a few days depending on the clinic.
    A full Sexual Health Screening means that you can be tested for every STI at the same time. For this, a small amount of blood will be taken and, depending on your history, swabs will be taken from your mouth, genitals and/ or anus.

    We have an excellent feature about what to expect when you visit a GUM clinic here.
    Also, check out our factsheets about STIshere.

    You can also contact the following organisations for more advice about what to expect or to find out how to book an appointment:

    Brook Advisory Centres
    Advice, counselling and medical help around contraception, pregnancy, abortion and sexual health.
    Telephone: 0800 0185023

    Family Planning Association
    Information service on family planning and all aspects of sexual health.
    Helpline: 0845 3101334
    www.fpa.org.uk
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    How can you find out where you local GUM clinic is?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The fpa have a good clinic finder service on their website - here.
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