How to use your STI self sampling home test kit

Taking your samples

Our simple kits can collect either a urine or a vaginal swab sample along with a finger-prick blood sample to test for blood borne viruses. Some kits may also offer you additional swabs to test for oral and rectal infections if you have indicated you are at risk of these infections.

Full sample collect instructions are included in your kit, but are also available below along with instructional videos.

If you try but are unable to collect a blood sample, we will still test your swab or urine for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (the most common infections).

click for more information on:

Finger-prick blood Urine sample Vaginal swab Throat swab Rectal swab

The tests you are offered are based on the responses you provide during your online consultation.The consultation has been designed with clinicians to provide the most appropriate set of tests for you. Where you are at a low risk from some infections, it's often not helpful to complete tests for them. While our tests are very accurate (among the most accurate available) if lots of low risk users complete tests this can increase the likelihood of false results.

When your kit arrives

Take a few minutes to look through the contents and read the guidance sheet.

Collecting your samples shouldn’t take too long and we are here if you need support.

When should I take my samples?

It’s best to take your samples and post them Sunday-Thursday, because they will reach our lab and betested more quickly.

It takes some time from catching an infection before it shows up on a test, this is called a windowperiod.

The window periods we recommend are:

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea: 2 weeks after last exposure.
HIV: 8 weeks after last exposure.
Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: 3 months after last exposure.

If there is a chance you have been exposed to an STI it can still be worth taking a test during thewindow period. That way, if you do test positive, you can begin treatment straight away. But if youtest negative, please do another test at the end of the window period.

The tests you are offered may be based on the responses you provide during your online consultation.

Common questions

My kit has not arrived

Our test kits are sent by Royal Mail first class post. Most test kits arrive within 1-3 working days,however there are sometimes delays.

If more than 7-10 working days have passed and your kit has not arrived, please Contact Us.

Why have I been asked to take these samples?

The consultation has been designed with clinicians to provide the most appropriate set of tests for you.Where you are at a low risk from some infections, it's often not helpful to complete tests for them.While our tests are very accurate (among the most accurate available) if lots of low risk users completetests this can increase the likelihood of false results.

Need help taking your samples?

Get support taking your samples, using our guidance pages - watch the videos carefully.

If you are struggling to take a blood sample, you can ask for support from our excellent team:Contact Us. We can send you our new lancets and offer tips and advice.

If you can’t manage to get enough blood, don’t worry, just return any other samples in the box. Pleasemake sure you visit a sexual health clinic to have your blood test taken.

What happens once I have sent off my samples?

When your kit arrives at our lab, we will let you know. We will test your samples and let you know yourresults within just a few days.

Once you have sent your kit back to us, you can login to My Account anytime to check on the status ofyour test kit.

How will I receive my test results?

Most people will get a message to login and check their results. However, in some cases an NHS clinicianwill call to discuss your test results and treatment.

To learn more about the different results, please go our page: What do my results mean?

How accurate are the results?

Our tests are highly accurate when done at the right time.

Although no STI test is 100% accurate, we use the gold standard for testing. All tests are processedin-house, as we run the UK’s leading STI laboratory, which also deals with thousands of STI tests everyday for the NHS and local sexual health services.

You can help to make your test as accurate as possible by following the instructions carefully whentaking your samples.

A test result that shows a possible infection is called 'reactive'. For HIV testing, a 'reactive' testwill require further investigation to confirm the result. False reactive results are rare but do happen.

Is the test kit recyclable?

Many of our products are designed with sustainability in mind.

Always check your local recycling guidelines to ensure proper disposal

Kit Item	Recyclable	Disposal route
Alcohol wipe and packet	No	Household waste
Blood tube	No	Laboratory Clinical waste or Household waste if unused
Blood tube stand	Yes	Home card/paper recycling
Kit box	Yes	Cardboard recycling
Lancet	No	Household waste
Paper information leaflet	Yes	Paper recycling
Plaster and packet	No	Household waste
Polythene mailing bag	Yes	Household waste or soft plastics recycling
Security Seal	No	General waste
Small plastic bag	Yes	Household waste or soft plastics recycling
Swab	No	Laboratory Clinical waste or Household waste if unused
Transport Pouch	No	Laboratory Clinical waste or Household waste if unused
Urine pouch	No	Household waste
Urine tube	No	Laboratory Clinical waste or Household waste if unused

Still need help?

See our help & support center