Types of STI tests (blood, urine, swabs, visual examination)
How long after sex should I get tested for STIs?
Most STI tests are not instant-gratification. Your body needs time to build up enough virus/bacteria or antibodies for tests to pick them up.Rough timeline:- Chlamydia & gonorrhea (urine or swab NAAT): many show by 5–7 days; safest to test at 2 weeks.- Trichomonas: usually detectable by 1–2 weeks.- HIV (4th gen blood test): many infections detected by 2 weeks, most by 4 weeks, and considered conclusive at 6 weeks.- Syphilis: often 3–6 weeks to turn positive on blood tests.If you had a high-risk exposure, you can test early to get a baseline and then repeat at the end of the window period. What matters most is setting a schedule instead of testing randomly every time anxiety spikes.
Can I get STI tested while on my period?
Yes. Blood tests (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis) don’t care about your period. Urine tests for chlamydia/gonorrhea are also fine during menstruation.Vaginal/cervical swabs and Pap smears are where timing matters:- Light period or spotting: usually okay. They may just have to clear some blood away.- Heavy flow: can make it harder to see the cervix and can dilute Pap samples, so some providers prefer to reschedule those specifically.Comfort-wise, pelvic exams can feel worse when cramps are bad and your uterus is heavy. If your periods are brutal, aim for the follicular phase (the week after your bleed) when estrogen is rising, tissue is more lubricated, and you’re less tender.If it’s urgent (new symptoms, high-risk exposure), go in regardless of where you are in your cycle.
Does birth control affect STI test results or symptoms?
Hormonal birth control doesn’t hide STIs on tests, but it can blur the symptoms.What it does:- Flattens your natural hormone cycle, which can change your discharge pattern and make it harder to tell what’s normal for you.- Can cause vaginal dryness or irritation in some people, which might feel like an infection even when it isn’t.- Can lighten or stop periods, so you’re not seeing cycle-related discharge shifts you’d otherwise notice.What it does not do:- It does not make chlamydia/gonorrhea/HIV tests turn negative when they should be positive.- It does not protect you from STIs. It only protects against pregnancy.So if something feels off — odor, color, itch, burning, bleeding after sex — take it seriously, even if you’re on the pill, ring, patch, implant, or hormonal IUD.
Do I need an STI test if I only had oral sex?
Yes, oral sex can absolutely transmit STIs, and this is wildly under-taught on purpose to keep sex ed sanitized.You can get or give:- Gonorrhea and chlamydia in the throat.- Herpes (HSV‑1 and HSV‑2) between mouth and genitals in either direction.- Syphilis through oral contact with sores.- HPV in the mouth and throat.Standard urine-only STI screens will miss throat infections. If you’ve had oral sex:- Ask specifically for a throat swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea.- Mention any sore throat that won’t quit, especially if strep tests are negative.Condoms and dental dams lower risk, but they’re not used as often for oral sex, which is why testing that actually matches how you have sex matters.If you’re trying to make sense of a specific hookup, pattern, or test result and your brain won’t let it go, you can always bring it to Gush — to ask questions, unpack patterns, or just confirm that what your body is doing is actually normal.
