Your test may include:
- Physical exam – Your health care provider may examine you for any signs of an infection, such as a rash, discharge, sores or warts. For people with a vulva, this exam can be similar to a pelvic exam.
- Urine sample – You may be asked to pee into a cup. Urine samples can be used to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Discharge, tissue, cell or oral fluid sample – Your provider will use a swab to collect samples that will be looked at under a microscope. These samples can test for certain STIs. For example, if you have sores, a swab might be used to test for herpes. Also, if you have received anal sex (bottomed), you might need to get an anal swab to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Blood sample – Your provider may take a blood sample, either with a needle or by pricking the skin to draw drops of blood. These can be used, for example, to test for syphilis or HIV.
Make sure you know what you’re being tested for!
For tailored care, talk to your healthcare provider about the type(s) of sex you have had (oral, vaginal, and/or anal) and -- if applicable -- whether you were a receptive partner (bottom), insertive partner (top) or both (vers). Throat and/or anal swabs might need to be collected for more thorough testing. If you use it, test it!