Do I need a test?
If you've never had sex involving contact with someone else's genitals or anus, you don't need a test.
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) will not have symptoms or the symptoms are easily missed.
Most people find knowing for sure is much better than not knowing and worrying about it.
Quick Links
- I had unprotected sex
- My partner has an STI
- I've heard a past sexual partner has an STI
- I've had a card in the post telling me I should get tested
- We used protection but it broke or slipped off
- We want to stop using protection
- We want to make a baby!
- I've been raped or sexually assaulted (or think I might have been)
I had unprotected sex
If you had penetrative sex without a condom or oral sex without a condom or dam you may have caught an STI and not know it.
Many people won't get obvious symptoms if they have got an STI so it is important to get checked out.
Go and see your GP or school nurse as soon as possible and ask about STI testing.
Alternatively, contact your nearest sexual health service.
For the future, think about how to always have safer sex.
If you are a girl you may also want to get a pregnancy test or access emergency contraception.
Most STIs can be treated and cured; the rest can be managed so that you can stay healthy. The sooner treatment starts, the better the results.
If you think you have some symptoms and it is not an STI the doctor or nurse will still be able to help you.
My partner has an STI
If you've always had safer sex together, the risks are low.
However, it's probably still worthwhile having a test.
Go and see your GP or school nurse as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
I've heard a past sexual partner has an STI
Not everyone who has an STI will have any symptoms.
If you had unprotected sex together, even if it was a while ago, you might have caught an STI and not noticed.
You might already have had an STI yourself without knowing and passed it on to them.
Go and see your GP or school nurse as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
I've had a card in the post telling me I should get tested
Someone you've had sex with has tested positive for an STI but they didn't want to tell you in person.
The clinic they went to has sent you this card to let you know you should get tested.
Go and see your GP or school nurse as soon as possible and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
If you're a girl, you might also want to get a pregnancy test.
We used protection but it broke or slipped off
Well done for trying to have safer sex.
It could just be bad luck the condom or dam broke, or it could be something you did.
Did you put the condom on correctly? Check out our condom demonstration.
Did something oily or greasy get onto the condom or dam?
Oily substances, including massage oils, lip balms and lipsticks can make condoms and dams fail or leak.
If you need to use lubrication (for example for anal sex) only use lubricants designed for use with condoms.
Go and see your GP or school nurse and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
We want to stop using protection
You should both be tested for the full range of STIs.
Go and see your GP or school nurse and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.
If you are a boy-girl couple and don't want a baby right now, you need to think about contraception.
We want to make a baby!
Are you really ready to start a family? Most people find that waiting until they're older makes things easier.
Obviously, if you're a boy-girl couple hoping to get pregnant by having sex, you're going to have to stop using condoms.
It's a good idea for both of you to be screened for STIs before you stop using protection.
Although most STIs are treatable, several can cause problems during pregnancy and can be passed on to the child.
Plus, you probably don't want to start your new family with the news that one of you has infected the other with an STI.
Go and see your GP and ask about STI testing or contact your nearest sexual health service.