How is STI testing done?
STI testing always starts with a talk. The doctor asks questions about your symptoms and your sex life. Sometimes the doctor will examine you. After that the STI test is done. You’ll get the results within a week.
How are you tested?
STI testing is done in different ways:
- Swab: you insert a cotton bud into your vagina or anus
- Urine test: you give a urine sample (only if you have a penis)
- Blood test: the doctor takes a blood sample from your arm, using a needle
The test that is done depends on the STI and the kind of sex you have. Sometimes several tests are done. Or the doctor may examine different parts of your body.
If you’re under 25, you can go to a GGD clinic for an STI test. Then you don’t have to pay.
How is a swab done?
The doctor will use a cotton bud to take a swab from where you have symptoms of an STI. Or you do that yourself.
This is where that might be:
- From your vagina
- From your anus: if you’ve had anal sex
- From your throat. That isn’t often done
- From the tip of your penis. That isn’t often done
Swab from the vagina
You usually take a swab from your vagina yourself. This is how that goes:
- The doctor gives you a cotton bud in a tube
- You insert the cotton bud and wipe it along the vagina wall for 10 seconds
- Then you put the cotton bud back in the tube and hand it in
A swab from your vagina isn’t difficult to do and doesn’t hurt. Occasionally the doctor will do it. They then use a speculum. That helps to open the vagina. This is only done if you have symptoms. It shouldn’t hurt. If it does, tell the doctor.
Swab from the penis
Is there yellow or green discharge from your penis? Then the doctor may use a cotton bud to wipe some fluid from the tip of your penis. That doesn’t hurt. The doctor won’t insert the cotton bud.
Swab from the anus
Have you had anal sex? Then a swab may be taken from your anus. You usually do it yourself. This is how that goes:
- The doctor gives you a cotton bud in a tube
- You insert the cotton bud and wipe it along the wall of your anus for 10 seconds
- Then you put the cotton bud back in the tube and hand it in
Swab from the throat
Sometimes a swab is taken from your throat. You or the doctor wipe the cotton bud along the back of your throat. That doesn’t hurt.
Blood tests
Sometimes the doctor takes a blood sample from your arm, using a needle. This is done:
- If you are a man or boy who has sex with other men
- If you’re a sex worker
- If you were born in a country where more people have STIs
- If you’ve had sex with someone who has an STI that is found with a blood test
One or more tubes of blood are necessary for the test.
Should you get tested?
Do you think you might have an STI? And do you want to know if an STI test is necessary? Just answer a few questions and we’ll give you advice.
What does an STI test cost?
If you go to your doctor, then the tests come under your health insurance excess. So you’ll have to pay for the STI test yourself if the amount of healthcare costs you’re required to pay has not yet been used up. STI tests can cost anything between 40 and 200 euros. If more than 1 test is necessary, it will be more expensive. Up to the age of 25, you can also go to a GGD clinic. Then you won’t have to pay for the testing.
If you are covered by health insurance in your parent or guardian’s name, then the costs of your test will be given in their list of healthcare costs. The STI test itself won’t be mentioned. But there is a slight chance of it being mentioned on an invoice.
On soaaids.nl you can read more about STI test costs