How often to get STI tested, and what to ask for

Sep 1

2 min read

A urine sample is not a full screen. If you have sex with men (mouth, ass, cock, hands, toys), infections sit in more than one place. This page is a practical checklist gay and bisexual men can take to a clinic, plus a realistic testing rhythm. It is not a diagnosis and it is not a dare to have more partners. It is how you stop guessing.

What 'full' means for us

Ask for HIV, syphilis (blood), hepatitis as indicated, and gonorrhoea and chlamydia from the sites you actually use: throat swab, rectal swab, and urine or urethral sample. If you only piss in a cup, you can miss a throat or rectal infection you can still pass on.

Tell the clinician you are a man who has sex with men. The extra swabs are the point. If they refuse because they are uncomfortable, find an MSM-competent service.

How often

A common rhythm for men with new or multiple partners is every three months. If you are on PrEP, testing is usually built into the prescription. If you have a closed agreement and nobody is playing outside, you can go longer, after an honest conversation, not after an assumption.

Get extra tests when a condom failed, when symptoms appear (discharge, sores, pain, rash, fever, swollen glands), or when a partner tells you they tested positive. Symptoms are not always there. That is why the calendar exists.

Vaccines and the rest of the visit

Ask about HPV, hepatitis A and B, and mpox while you are there. Vaccines gay and bisexual men should know about is the companion page. Mention PrEP or PEP if you need them. Mention if you use substances so they can advise on interactions and extra screens, not so they can scold you.

HIV screening belongs in the same visit. HIV today explains why that is still not optional.

After the results

Treat what is treatable. Tell recent partners when you are advised to. It is ugly and it is how adults stop a chain. Doxycycline as STI prevention (DoxyPEP) exists in some guidelines for some men; ask a clinician, do not start a leftover antibiotic from a drawer.

Clinics beat forums. Unite Gay Network can still be the place you ask 'is this a normal wait time in your city?' Join if you want that. For site issues, Support.

Disclaimer*

This article was originally published in English. While we have translated it to make the content more accessible to our international members, slight variations may exist between the translated and original versions. For the most accurate and authoritative wording, please refer to the English edition. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to improve our multilingual support.