STI Home Test Kits

I’m not sure if this is the correct area to post but I couldn’t find a suitable section.

On another thread a home test kit was mentioned and I’m intrigued.

I see that it’s available in my area and it’s free. How easy are they to use? Do you have to stick a cotton bud up your own jackeye. I’m going to get myself tested very shortly, I’m just waiting until it’s been a couple of weeks since my last punt, and the thought of sitting around my local gum clinic for at least a couple of hours isn’t that enticing!. I would love to hear about anyone’s experience with these and whether to bother.

Its great they send the pack out first class, you provide a urine test and a blood test, you have to stab your finger to get the blood out, fill up the pot and send back, results back by text. Received on Friday, posted Saturday got result the wed 9am.

freetest.me

Only for 16-24's

just make up your age :)

they don't check

Tried one of those once but could not fill up the vial with blood from pricking my finger, never got a result back.

I had a home testing kit. I failed to get enough blood in the vial and found the process more an utter pain to do rather than painful.

They are an absolute pain in every way, for a couple of days every couple of months my fingers are sore and bruised from doing this.

I can only advise,
Make sure you are hydrated
Make sure the room and you are warm, possibly after a shower.
Take a brisk walk or dash up and down the stairs a few times just to get the blood pumping a tiny bit faster before you begin
Relax and make sure you keep your hand lower than your heart, I would recommend setting everything up so you can be stood up to do this.

Good luck 👍

If you're squeamish of blood maybe go for a clinic visit, but the process is reasonably straight-forward. There's a device that takes a pin prick, so will only ever be drops.
Hardest part is getting enough for the sample. I found after a hot shower, and strangely using the very tip of your finger rather than the centre, seemed to help.

Are these still available now lockdown is over?

You mean STD?

STD is outdated as disease now relates to things like Diabetes, Hypertension, Dementia, Coronary artery disease, Sickle cell, Motor nueron disease..etc, not things you catch like covid, the flu or the clap witch are infections.

you can get them for free from the nhs

can you order a bulk supply?

you can get the test off the nhs here

www.nhs.uk/services/service-directory/sti-screening-postal-kits-teesside/N10509282

of course if you take the free nhs option you will most likely never get a result back.