When to Test
How often you get tested for STIs is personal and depends on your own circumstances. There is no set schedule you need to follow.
Getting tested every 3 to 12 months is a good general practice for sexually active people. For example, you may want to test every 3 or 6 months if you have new or casual partners, or if you have sex without condoms.
If you want to be tested because of a recent sexual contact, we recommend testing at 3 weeks and 3 months following contact.
This is because it takes time before an STI infection will show up on a test. This is called the “window period”.
Other reasons to consider STI testing
- Your sex partner has recently been diagnosed with an STI, or asks you to get tested,
- You’ve experienced unwanted sexual contact, such as sexual assault,
- You experience symptoms like:
- Rashes or sores on your genitals or anus,
- Pain, burning, itchiness, or discharge around your genitals, anus, or during urination,
- Pain or swelling in your lower abdomen or testicles,
If you are pregnant
It is important for you to get tested for STIs at your first prenatal visit (around 8 to11 weeks into your pregnancy).
Window Period
The window period is the time between when a person comes in contact with an STI and when the STI will show up on a test.
It is important to consider the window period when getting tested. Tests done too early may not be accurate. The time will vary from a few days to six months depending on the infection and the test. You can pass on an STI during the window period.
If you think you have been exposed to an STI, it’s generally recommended to test at 3 weeks and 3 months following contact. At 3 weeks, most tests should detect an infection, and at 3 months most are considered accurate.
Find out the window periods for different STIs.
Symptoms
It can be hard to tell if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), many do not always show symptoms. Often, people who pass an STI to a sexual partner do not know that they have an infection. The only way to know whether or not you have an STI is to get tested.
Symptoms of an STI may include:
- Discharge from penis
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Bumps, sores or a rash on the genital area (penis, vagina or anus)
- Blood in the urine
- Burning or unusual feeling when urinating
- Pain in the pelvis or testicles
- Pain during sexual activity and intercourse
If you or your sexual partners have signs or symptoms that you are concerned about, see a health care provider for assessment.
Getting tested for STIs in British Columbia (BC) is confidential, easy, and usually free. Learn more about medical coverage and types of services in BC, or find a clinic near you for testing.
Untreated STIs can lead to serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease or epididymitis. Having an STI also increases the possibility of getting HIV.
Looking up symptoms on the internet and trying to self-diagnose an STI can increase your anxiety. If you are not getting any answers and are worried check out some of the tips in this resource developed about sexual health related anxiety
No Symptoms?
When you have an STI but there are no symptoms, this is called being ‘asymptomatic’. Even with no symptoms, a person can still pass on an STI. If you think you might have an STI but are not showing symptoms, make sure to tell your health care provider why you think you need to get tested.
Tests & Exams
Getting an STI test usually takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the clinic and the tests you need. It usually takes about 1 week for your results to be ready.
What can I expect?
The healthcare provider will ask you questions about your sexual health history. Your answers help the healthcare provider suggest the right tests and care. Share as much as you’re comfortable. Ask questions or for more information if you want clarification.
Everything you share during the visit is private and confidential. It will not be shared with anyone else / your partner(s) or family.
Can I get tested anonymously (without giving my real name)?
There are some non-profit or public health services that let you test using a fake name.
Getting testing and treatment anonymously isn’t available at all clinics because your personal information is needed for services to be covered by government or private insurance. Remember, even if you test using your real name and ID, your test results will not be shared with your family or partner(s) unless you choose to do so.
Respectful physical exam
The healthcare provider might ask for permission to do a physical exam. For example, if you have symptoms they may ask to see that part of your body.
You may need to take off some clothing such as your pants and underwear. You’ll never be asked to take off all your clothes. The healthcare provider will give you a paper or a gown to cover yourself with.
The healthcare provider will and should respect your comfort and privacy. You have the right to stop the exam at any time. You can say no to having any tests or procedures that you don’t want.
Cultural Sensitivity and your well-being
Healthcare providers should always respect your cultural values and beliefs. The healthcare provider is there to support you, understand your concerns, answer any questions and make you feel comfortable.
Sample collection
Depending on the test, they may need to draw blood with a syringe, ask you to pee in a cup, or swab your throat, genitals, or rectum. What they collect are called “samples”.
You can ask for help or more information with any of the samples being collected.
The clinic will send these samples to a lab for testing. Learn more about your results and what happens next.
Types of STI Tests and exams That May Be Done:
Pelvic Exam: There are two parts to a pelvic exam.
- Speculum exam. A speculum is placed into the vagina and gently opened. Swabs are taken from the vagina or cervix and sent to the lab for STI testing.
- Bimanual exam. This is done to check your uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The health care provider will place two gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina, and will gently press on your lower belly with the other hand. You may feel pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Urine tests: You will be asked to pass urine (pee) into a cup. The tests are most accurate if you have not passed urine for 1-2 hours before giving the urine sample.
Swab tests: Swab tests are done with a sterile swab (a small stick with a ball of absorbent material on the end) that is sent to the lab for testing. Swabs may be taken from the vagina, cervix, penis, throat, anus, or skin.
- Vaginal and cervical: A sterile swab is used to take a swab from the cervix or vagina. This test is done if you have had vaginal sex or notice changes such as increased fluid or a change in fluid from your vagina. A Pap test may be done at the same time.
- Urethral (penis): A swab is usually done when there is visible discharge from the penis. A sterile swab is used to take a sample from the discharge. This test is most accurate if you have not passed urine (peed) for 2 hours beforehand.
- Anal: A sterile swab is gently inserted into the anus and a sample is taken from the inside of the rectum. An anal swab is taken if you have had anal sex or notice changes such as pus, pain or bleeding from the rectum.
- Throat: A sterile swab is used to take a sample from the throat. A throat swab is taken if you have had oral sex or a sore throat.
Blood tests: Both syphilis and HIV testing are done on blood samples. HIV testing is done in two ways.
- Antibody/Antigen testing: A blood sample will be taken from your arm in the clinic or you may be sent to a lab to have your blood drawn.
- Rapid test or point of care (POC) testing: This test is being used in many areas of BC for HIV testing. Check with your local clinic to see if it is available. This test is done with a small drop of blood taken from a finger prick. The results are available in 60 seconds. If the Rapid test shows that you have HIV antibodies, then a second blood test is done to confirm whether the result is truly positive. The second blood sample is taken from your arm and sent to a lab for testing.
Instructions for collecting your own swab sample
You might be given the option to collect your own sample using a swab, instead of having a healthcare provider do it for you. We have developed print and video instructions to help you collect your own sample for STI testing.
Collecting your own swab is just as effective as having a nurse or doctor do it.
How to collect a throat self-swab
You will swab the back of your throat using a swab kit. You can download a print version of these instructions, also available in different languages.
How to collect a vaginal self-swab
You will swab the inside of your own vagina using a swab kit. You can download a print version of these instructions, also available in different languages.
How to collect a rectal self-swab
You will swab the inside of your anus using a swab kit. You can download a print version of these instructions, also available in different languages.