STI check- please advise.

[HelenSmart]

Can someone please tell me what to expect during a test for STI?

Will they do a pregnancy test too?

If you are symptomless, it's usually just a blood test and a swab of cervical cells I think? (a bit like a smear test) I go to a place where they let me do it myself in the loos.

Actually I think it's a vaginal swab not cervical.

They wouldn’t usually do a pregnancy test. You can easily do one of those yourself at home. They can talk to you about contraception though if you want to start on something different.

If you are concerned you may be pregnant you could ask them to do a test. Otherwise no, they wouldn’t without your consent

What type of questions will I have to answer?

Will I have to go into any details?

I'm scared.

Handhold here, Helen. Don’t be scared. I accompanied a flatmate to a GUM clinic at uni when she found out her ex hadn’t been overly honest and with some ‘interesting’ sorts as well. She was in pieces, hence asking me to go with her, but what I still remember is how lovely she said the staff were when she was in the appt. The clinic was just a very normal healthcare setting, just tucked away. In theory I shouldn't ever need to go but I’d feel a lot better about it based on her experience and having seen the place.

Don’t forget they’ll see all sorts of things and hear all sorts of histories and worries all the time as well. It’s good that you’re going if you feel the need. Better that than ignoring something that could be helped and hopefully you’ll be fine anyway.

Don't be scared, in my experience (personal and professional) they are incredibly good at making you feel comfortable, and they're not there to judge.
They will need to take a full history (are you in a sexual relationship currently, recent partners, they will probably ask about anal/oral sex and if you've had any symptoms)
They'll do blood tests and vaginal swabs, but honestly they see and hear it all, day in and out so please don't worry x

I just need to be extremely factual about it and tell them I've slept with a stranger. They won't have to know the ins and outs, will they? I have a good friend going with me who has been by my side since it happened.

I'm very fixated on the tests atm, as it's easier than thinking about the situation surrounding them.

My life was normal last Sunday.

So they do something called "self swabbing"?

Did you sleep with a stranger Helen? Or were you raped?

I ask because if you were assaulted they will have very different procedures in place, they may do tests they wouldn’t normally.

Either way though, in my experience they’re very calm and totally non-judgemental.

The tests are different as opposed to a normal STI test?

Can I ask how?

I'd just like to be as prepared as I can be.

Having been through this in the late 1990s for rape, they checked me for injuries internally and asked if I wanted police involved. It was fine, very compassionate and I’m sorry if you are in the same situation.

For a ‘normal’ Sti check they just do the tests and don’t check for injuries / evidence.

I should also add that they respected my choice not to involve police, just documented things in case I changed my mind. So if the OP (or anyone else) is worried about that, please don’t be. Get the medical treatment you need before making choices around the rest of it.

Thank you.

They do let you swab yourself generally either in the toilets or behind a curtain. It’s just a long cotton bud thing basically, doesn’t hurt or anything. They’ll most likely do a blood test if you request it too. They only ask how many partners you’ve had sex with over the past few months, whether you used condoms, whether any of them were bisexual etc.

Results are back within a week.

Thank you. And thank you for taking the time to reply to me, all of you.

I'm sorry to resurrect this- but I just wanted to update. Someone in my position may be wondering the same thing, and if this will help...

It was ok. Of course it was grueling- but it was ok.

They let me swab myself. They gave me a blood test and a urine test (I'm not pregnant- that's one massive worry gone). The results will take two weeks, and I have to repeat the HIV test in twelve weeks.

The nurse was fabulous. I was hysterical at one point, and she didn't bat an eyelid.

My friend accompanied me, and she was able to answer the nurse's questions on my behalf. (She's the only person who knows, and she's been unfortunately subject to horrible details. The fact that she has came in handy.)

If I sound vague and disjointed, it's because I'm a regular, I have a very unique "posting style" according to people who know me on here, and I'm trying to hide.

Glad it all went well. Hope you're OK

Thinking of you Op

I will be. It's a waiting game now.

That bastard took 45 minutes of my life. Damned if I'll let him take any more of it! 😡