How often should I get tested for STIs?

Many STIs cause no symptoms for a long time, so feeling fine is not a reliable sign of being infection-free. Regular testing finds infections early, when they are easier to treat and before they can cause complications or be passed on.

Thinking of a test as routine health care, like a dental check-up, takes away a lot of the worry. Getting tested says nothing bad about you.

Sexual health organisations commonly suggest testing at least once a year if you are sexually active, even in a long-term relationship, and testing before or after starting with a new partner. If you change partners often or do not always use condoms, testing every three to six months is a widely used guide.

Some people, for example those taking PrEP, are offered more frequent testing as part of their care. Local guidelines differ by country, so a clinic is the best place to agree a plan.

Get checked whenever you notice possible symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain when peeing, sores, rashes or lumps, if a partner tells you they have an STI, or after sex without a condom with someone whose status you do not know.

Some infections take time to show up on a test, which is called the window period. A clinic can tell you when to test after a specific worry, and whether a repeat test is needed.

Sexual health clinics offer free or low-cost confidential testing in many countries, and some services post self-sampling kits to your home. Tests usually involve a urine sample, swabs and a blood test, and the clinic can help you tell partners if anything is found.