We use a machine with a specially designed panel of tests for sexually transmitted infections. We use a combination of blood and urine samples to perform the test. We believe this is the best way to test for STIs as other methods have similar accuracy but will take longer to provide results. The sensitivity and specificity of our test can be found in the table below.

Sensitivity is the ability of a test to correctly identify patients with a disease - this is the accuracy of a positive result.

Specificity is the ability of a test to correctly identify people without a disease - this is the accuracy of a negative result.

It is important to recognise that a large number of people with STIs will not show any symptoms. This is one of the reasons for getting a test. Symptoms are different for men and women. They can include pain or discomfort when passing urine, discharge from the penis or vagina, pain during sexual intercourse, small blisters, ulcers or skin irritation around the genitalia and anus, and bleeding between periods. For a more detailed description of STI symptoms, see this NHS link.

Regular STI testing is a good idea if you are sexually active. To ensure you do not have an STI, it is recommended that you get tested every six months, before you become intimate with a new partner.

With the Express STI package, you will be tested for ten common STIs. You will receive a complete laboratory report, and if you test positive for an infection, our in-house GP will call you to explain the results. Advice will be given regarding how to treat the infection. You may need to contact your GP or local sexual health clinic for a prescription if this is required. The laboratory report will show if you are positive or negative for the following STIs:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Trichomoniasis
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• Mycoplasma hominis
• Ureaplasma
• Syphilis
• Haemophilus ducreyi
• Herpes I
• Herpes II

STIs are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. It is possible to transmit Herpes Simplex Virus by kissing – this is the same infection that causes cold sores on the lips. Other STIs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, HIV and genital herpes can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The symptoms of an STI can include:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
• Pain when passing urine
• Lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus)
• A rash
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Itchy genitals or anus
• Blisters and sores around your genitals or anus
• Warts around your genitals or anus
• Warts in your mouth or throat, but this is very rare

Please note that you can have an STI without any symptoms. The only way to know is to get tested. Follow the link to NHS website for more information about STIs including symptoms and treatments .

It is important to check regularly because untreated STIs can affect your health and fertility. You should test at your earliest convenience for any of the following reasons:

• You or a sexual partner have symptoms of an STI
• You have recently had unprotected sex with a new partner
• You are pregnant with symptoms of an STI
• It is a good practice and gives you peace of mind.

It is recommended to wait for two weeks after you think you have been exposed to an infection before testing for an STI. Testing too soon might affect your test result, giving you false reassurance, but we understand that some people will want to test early. If you have symptoms, it is best to test as soon as possible. If you decide to have a test early after potential exposure to an STI, we recommend testing again later to make sure you are still safe. The optimal testing times following exposure are shown below:

In the event that you test positive for any of the listed STIs, our team will contact you for further explanation. Most STIs require antibiotics given as tablets and sometimes as an injection to treat the infection. You may need to contact your GP or local sexual health Clinic for a prescription if required.

In the meantime, you should inform your partner(s) as soon as you get a positive result to help prevent the spread of the infection to others. Recent partners should get tested. You might also encourage people living in your household to get tested. You should abstain from sexual activity until you have completed treatment and you are clear of infection.

If you are still experiencing symptoms after you have been treated for an STI, you should consult your doctor. They may advise repeat testing and further treatment if appropriate.

Yes, it is possible that you have two or more STIs at the same time. It is likely to happen a partner was already infected with several infections or if you have had multiple partners since your last sexual screen. Regular testing, even when you are well, is very important.

Yes, at Hometest your results are protected. We take data protection and confidentiality very seriously Information given in confidence should not be shared with anyone without patient’s consent. If you have not given us consent, the results will not be disclosed to your GP.

Information we obtain from you, such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is stored securely.

Yes, Hometest and Covid Home Test (CHT) are the same company. CHT began as a government approved private provider of COVID-19 testing. Hometest still provides COVID-19 tests but has expanded to include additional medical testing options.

We are a team of medical professionals, customer service enthusiasts and operations experts committed to helping Londoners and visitors get on with their lives safely.

Yes, we are UKAS Level 3 Accredited. Our UKAS number is 22670.

Our laboratory is staffed by medical and healthcare professionals, led by our Chief Medical Officer Dr Ian Mann BMedSci (Hons), MBBS, MRCP, PhD.

Our customer service team are not medical professionals - they are unable to provide any kind of medical advice.

Any medical advice queries will be communicated to our in-house GPs, who will contact you as soon as possible.

At Hometest we hold ourselves to the highest standards. We are regulated by UKAS and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects health and social care services in England to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality care. If a service needs to improve, CQC will take action to make sure this happens. Find out more at www.cqc.org.uk. If you are ever unhappy with any aspect of our service, we urge you to contact our team by emailing us at contact@hometest.co.

We have strict limits on the number of tests we sell per day to ensure we can provide the same level of service to every customer. As a result, we strongly advise that customers book their tests well in advance to make sure they can get their preferred time slot. Alterations and cancellations can be made at no cost / with a full refund up to 24 hours ahead of the booked slot.

The easiest way to check if we deliver to your address is using the “Where We Serve” postcode checker on our homepage. If you live outside our regular delivery area, we might still be able to help; please contact customer service, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Contact our team to request a cancellation and refund. Requests made up to 24 hours in advance will be refunded in full. Late cancellations cannot be refunded, as our service is deemed to start 24 hours before your test slot (when the logistics are booked in).

We refund all orders in full, including delivery charges when cancelled up to 24 hours before your test slot. 24 hours in advance is when we confirm logistics, at which point your service is considered to have started. As a result, you are unlikely to be entitled to a refund within 24 hours of the start of your allotted test delivery slot.

If you mistakenly order a test in advance, or you no longer need a future test, please get in touch with customer service as soon as possible.

During opening hours, you can call us on 020 3319 6469, send an instant message by clicking the "Chat" icon in the bottom right of the screen, or email us at contact@hometest.co. Opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00 and Sat-Sun: 9.00-13.00.

Outside opening hours, please send us an email, and we will respond as soon as we are back in the office. Note that your cancellation time is the time you sent the request, not the time we respond.

In the unlikely event a sample returns an inconclusive result or the sample is rejected, you will not be entitled to a refund as per our terms and conditions. Please see our terms and conditions for your "cooling off" rights.

To ensure the accuracy and viability of your sample, we recommend to not urinate up to 1 hour before taking the test. This ensures the urine is concentrated enough and likely to ensure the most accurate results.

You can collect a urine sample at any time of day.

Yes, you can shower before taking your sample. However, ensure that you do not leave any soap or cream on the genitals. Please note that any antibacterial or disinfecting material might affect your sample and disrupt the accuracy of the test.

It is totally fine to do a urine test for STIs during your periods.

This might happen for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the test was done too early.

If you are experiencing symptoms, it is likely that your test will be positive if an STI is the cause of your symptoms. Many STI symptoms are caused by other things, such as a simple urinary tract infection or yeast infection. If you are still concerned about a potential STI, it is advised that you take a repeat test or speak to your GP for further advice.

If you test positive for an STI, it means some traces of the infection were found in your sample.

Please note that it is common for people to have an STI without any symptoms at all. Please, speak to your doctor for further medical advice and what you should do next.