What should you know about gonorrhoea home test?

Home testing usually involves collecting a sample yourself and sending it to a laboratory or using an approved test according to its instructions. The useful sample depends on exposure: urine or a genital swab may not detect infection in the throat or rectum. A negative result therefore may not answer every exposure concern.

Gonorrhoea can cause painful urination, unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic discomfort or no symptoms at all. These signs are not specific, and an eye infection or severe illness should never be managed by waiting for a home result.

Check how the kit is authorised, follow collection and packaging instructions, and submit the sample within the stated window. Give accurate details about symptoms and contact sites. If the result is positive, arrange medical care for prescription antibiotics and advice about partner notification; do not treat yourself with leftover medicine.

If the result is negative but symptoms continue, the sample did not cover the exposed site, or the timing was uncertain, contact a clinician. Avoid sex until you understand the result and have received advice about any needed treatment.

Seek prompt care for pelvic pain, fever, testicular pain, severe rectal pain, eye pain, thick eye discharge or vision changes. Pregnancy, recent sexual assault or a partner with diagnosed gonorrhoea are also reasons to seek direct clinical advice rather than relying only on a home kit.

Ask which sites need testing, when a test is appropriate after exposure, what a result means, whether other STI screening is needed, and how partners should be informed. Ask when you can safely resume sexual contact.