Private STD Testing vs. GUM Clinics
We look at the pros and cons of choosing to visit a private STI clinic
If you’re sexually active and you’ve had more than one partner in the last six months then you’re amongst a group of people who should take an STI test. Without regular testing many sexually transmitted infections can go undetected for months or years, meaning they get passed from person to person without knowledge. In this blog we look at the reasons why you might want to visit a private STI clinic for your next test.
More discreet and confidential
One of the benefits of choosing Your Sexual Health is that the service is more discreet and confidential than when visiting a clinic. We’ll notify you of your results via your preferred contact method and the tests – whether positive or negative – won’t go on your medical record meaning the only people who will know about them are you and us.
More convenience
Booking a private STI test with Your Sexual Health could not be more convenient. All that you have to do is find a clinic, book your appointment slot and turn up to deposit your samples. When you visit an NHS clinic you’ll often have to wait for an unspecified amount of time. You’ll also have to fill out a bunch of paperwork every time you visit.
Less chance of an awkward encounter
As if sitting in a room full of teenagers waiting for free condoms wasn’t bad enough, you might also see someone you didn’t want to at an NHS clinic. Regularly getting tested is important and if you’re the type to be put off by an awkward encounter then you should probably think about going private rather than letting your STDs go undetected. Whatever testing option you choose, no one knows why you’re getting tested and there’s less hanging around waiting to be seen.
More options with a private STI clinic
When you choose private STI testing you have more testing options. With Your Sexual Health you can book an appointment at over 20 clinic locations across the country so all you have to do is turn up to deposit your samples. Our home visits service allows us to bring the clinic to you and we can offer tests at any address across the UK, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. We also offer a postal test service where we post the containers and you return the samples to our laboratory.
