Do you need a referral for STI screening?

You can often arrange STI screening directly with a sexual-health service or general practitioner, without a referral. Local booking rules differ, and a referral may be needed if another specialist service must assess your symptoms or pregnancy-related care.

Screening may use urine, blood, or swab samples, depending on the infection being considered and the sexual contact you describe. A clinician may ask about symptoms, timing, partners, contraception, pregnancy possibility, and any recent treatment. Accurate information helps the service choose suitable tests; you can ask about privacy, consent, and how results will be communicated.

Contact a clinic and ask whether you can self-book STI screening. Avoid sexual contact or use condoms until you understand the clinic’s advice, particularly if you or a partner has symptoms. Bring a list of medicines and note when symptoms began or when a possible exposure occurred. Do not take leftover antibiotics, because they can affect testing and may not treat the infection involved.

Arrange prompt medical care for pelvic or testicular pain, fever, genital ulcers, unusual bleeding, severe lower-abdominal pain, or a painful rash. Seek urgent help for severe pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, or feeling very unwell. Pregnancy with possible STI exposure also warrants prompt advice because assessment and treatment choices can change.

Ask which tests match your exposure, when testing will be reliable, whether partners need assessment, how results will be shared, and whether treatment should begin before every result is available.