Why Arrange an STD Screening?

Getting screened for STDs is a good idea for anyone who is sexually active. Many STDs can remain hidden, without causing symptoms, so the only way to be sure you are healthy is to undergo testing. If you have an untreated STD it could cause serious problems, including infertility. However, most sexually transmitted infections can easily be treated once they are detected by screening.

You might want to arrange STD screening if:

• You are sexually active, especially if you have had unprotected sex
• You have noticed symptoms that could be caused by an STD
• You are planning on getting pregnant and you want to be sure you are healthy
• You are having a procedure such as a contraceptive coil insertion and you want to be sure there is no risk from an infection

What to Expect

When you visit the clinic for STD screening, the doctor will usually begin by asking some questions about your health and sexual history. Miss Arafa is an experienced gynaecologist who will help you to feel as comfortable as possible while you talk. You might discuss:

• Any symptoms you’ve been experiencing that could be caused by an STD
• When you last had sex
• Whether you’ve had unprotected sex (without a condom)

Depending on your situation, the doctor will recommend which STI tests are appropriate. Different types of tests are needed to check for different infections, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis and HIV. The tests you need will depend on which infections you are at risk of and whether you’ve had any symptoms. You might need to have:

• • A blood test
  • A urine test
  • A swab taken from your urethra or vagina
  • A gynaecological exam

What Happens Next

The results of your STD tests will be given to you as soon as possible. Once you have them:

• • • If no infections were found, no further action is needed. However, you should consider using condom to protect your self in the future and come back for more STD screening to ensure you stay healthy.
    • If a problem was identified, the doctor will diagnose a specific STD and provide the treatment you need. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be able to eliminate the infection.
    • You should avoid having sex until the treatment is complete.
    • In some cases, an STD can cause more serious problems. Your doctor may recommend additional tests or treatment if there have been any complications.
    • You should inform your current or past sexual partners of the diagnosis so that they can also get tested and treated.

Could I check my sexual health without a clinic visit?

Many people with STIs have no symptoms. If you think you may have an STI, then we recommend that you get tested. Please note that some STIs don’t show in a test straight away. So you need to wait for two weeks or sometimes more before a test will be accurate. We are delighted to announce that we can provide you and your partner with our special self-test kits which you can use any time you like in complete privacy at home. You don’t need to visit a doctor, sexual health clinic or even to pay for a consultation. Just contact us today to put an order or email us on info4missarafa@gmail.com and we will do the rest for you. The kits can be delivered directly to your home address via royal mail and you can collect the sample (blood or swab or both as needed).

Please follow all the instructions which are clearly labelled in our kit package, put it in the pre-paid envelope and post the sample back to our lab. We will get back to you with a full report of your results within 3-5 working days. Our tests report are accurate with high sensitivity and specificity reported from an internationally rewarded lab. If the results come back positive for any test and you would like further discussion, we can arrange a consultation for you to discuss this in more detail with the Consultant. We can also provide you with a private prescription including home delivery of an antibiotic or any medication as needed. The fees for the consultation and treatment will be determined and discussed with you separately following receipt of your results.

How long does it take for STIs to show in tests?

These are the incubation periods for the at-home tests we use.

• chlamydia: 2 weeks
• gonorrhoea: 2 weeks
• HIV: 7 weeks
• hepatitis B: 12 weeks
• hepatitis C: 12 weeks
• syphilis: 12 weeks

Hepatitis C can sometimes take up to 9 months to show in a test, so if you’re not sure when you might have been exposed, do a test now, and another test in 9 months. If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, do not wait to test and get an immediate advice.

Arranging an Appointment

If you would like to arrange STD screening in London, you can make an appointment at the Venus Women’s Clinic London. Miss Arafa is a leading gynaecologist who can perform the screening tests and ensure that you get any treatment and support you need afterwards. Simply fill in the online form to request an appointment at a time that suits you.