STI Test Plus

What is the STI Test Plus?

The STI Test Plus allows users to check for 9 common STIs and bacterial infections: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, and Herpes I & II. These infections can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms and can be passed to sexual partners. This test consists of a urine test for men, and a vaginal swab for women.

How does the STI Test Plus work?

Your test kit comes with everything you need to collect a urine or vaginal swab sample from home, as well as detailed instructions. After your sample is collected, mail the test kit to our certified laboratory with the enclosed prepaid shipping materials. You will receive the test results within a few days.

When can you test for each STI?

The window period is the time between when you were infected with an STI and when it is detectable with a test. Every STI has its own window period. If you test for an STI before the window period has passed, you may test negative even if you are infected. See below for more information about the specific window period per STI and determine when you can reliably administer this test.

What is the window period of each STI?

• Chlamydia: After 14 days
• Gonorrhoea: After 14 days
• Trichomoniasis: After 4 weeks
• Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum: After 4 weeks
• HIV: 4 weeks to 3 months. If the result is negative, then only reliably 3 months after sexual contact.
• Hepatitis B: After 8 weeks. If the result is negative, repeat the test 3-6 months after sexual contact
• Herpes I & II: When blisters appear

Source: Nederlands Huisarten Genootschap

Chlamydia

• (Burning) pain during urination
• Fever (occasionally)
• Discharge from penis
• Pain or swelling in testicles
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Gonorrhoea

• Pain or swelling in the testicles
• Discharge from the penis
• (Burning) pain during urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis usually has no symptoms, but if it does it is most often one of the following:

• Discharge from the penis
• Redness and/or itching and irritation in or around the penis
• Pain while urinating

Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections often cause no symptoms in men. When they do, symptoms can include:

• Pain while urinating
• Burning or itching at the top of the penis
• White discharge from the penis
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain in the testicles
• In case of anal infection: discomfort or discharge from your bottom

Herpes I & II

• Small red bumps or blisters around the genital area or mouth
• Swelling in the groin, neck, or under the arms
• Tingling sensation in the genital area or mouth
• Fever
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Trouble urinating

Chlamydia

• Painful urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Intermenstrual bleeding

Gonorrhoea

• Painful urination
• Vaginal discharge (green/yellow)
• Pain in abdominal area
• Pain during intercourse

Trichomoniasis

• Vaginal discharge (green/yellow)
• Redness and/or itching around or inside the vagina
• Painful urination

Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma infections often cause no symptoms in women. When they do, symptoms can include:

• Pain when urinating
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding after sex
• Bleeding between periods
• In case of anal infection: discomfort or discharge from your bottom

Herpes I & II

• Painful red sores or blisters in or around the mouth or genital area
• Swollen glands
• Change in vaginal discharge
• Itching, tingling, or burning sensation in the genital area or mouth
• Fever
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Pelvic pain or pressure

What is an STI?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. STIs can be transmitted through contact with the penis, vagina, anus, and sometimes also with your mouth or fingers. Many STIs cause little or no symptoms. Despite a lack of symptoms, some STIs can cause serious damage to the body if left untreated. Getting tested regularly for STIs is important both to prevent the infection from spreading to others and to ensure infections are treated promptly.

Certain bacteria can be transmitted sexually but are a normal part of the ecosystem of bacteria (microbiota) that live in the genitals. These bacteria do not cause problems or require treatment unless there is an overgrowth of them. Testing for common bacteria present in the genital tract can help get to the root of symptoms that are not caused by traditional STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium, or herpes. In addition to these STIs, the STI Test Plus tests for the presence of the following bacteria: Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria can cause an infection of the urethra, cervix, rectum, or throat. Chlamydia is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or contact with infected genital fluids. The infection can spread to the epididymis in men and to the uterus or fallopian tubes in women. Left untreated, a chlamydia infection increases the risk of infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. Giving birth with chlamydia can also lead to eye and respiratory infections in the baby. Chlamydia is a very common STI and is usually treatable with antibiotics.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Not everyone with gonorrhoea develops symptoms, making early detection difficult. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause further health problems. In women, untreated gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. In pregnant women, inflammation of the uterus, preterm birth, and ectopic pregnancy can occur. Pregnant women with gonorrhoea can also infect their baby during childbirth. This can lead to eye inflammation and blindness in the baby. In men, untreated gonorrhoea can cause inflammation of the epididymis or prostate. In rare cases, gonorrhoea can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. This can lead to joint inflammation, blood poisoning or meningitis. Gonorrhoea is treatable with antibiotics.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Although the symptoms vary, most people do not experience any symptoms and do not know they are infected. Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation of the vagina, cervix and urethra and make you more susceptible to other STIs. In pregnant women, infections with trichomoniasis are associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight. Trichomoniasis is treatable. To prevent re-infection, all sex partners should be treated at the same time.

Mycoplasma genitalium

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a bacteria that can be transmitted through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sexual contact. Research has shown that MG is common- while the exact prevalence of this STI is not known, a recent study found MG occurred more often than gonorrohea in a sample of patients. As many people do not experience any symptoms during an MG infection and it is not regularly tested for, most infections go undetected. In fact, more than 90% of men and 50% of women with an MG infection have no symptoms. Despite its lack of symptoms, MG can cause inflammation in the urethra, cervix, and fallopian tubes. MG is treated with antibiotics, although in some cases the infection spontaneously clears on its own. Antibiotic resistance is common in MG and specific considerations should be made when treating it. 

Mycoplasma hominis

About Mycoplasma hominis Mycoplasma hominis is a bacterium that lives in the urinary tract and genitals of about half of all women and fewer men. This bacterium can be transmitted through sexual contact and from mother to child during birth. Many people with Mycoplasma hominis have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often resemble other STIs, such as burning during urination, pain during or after sex, or abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis. Mycoplasma hominis can be treated with antibiotics. However, treatment is not always necessary, especially if you do not experience any symptoms. Mycoplasma hominis infections can often clear up on their own.

Ureaplasma urealyticum

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium that is found in the cervix or vagina in healthy women, and in the urethra in a smaller number of men. The presence of these bacteria usually does not cause any health problems. However, an overgrowth of Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause unpleasant symptoms. Ureaplasma can be transmitted through sex, as well as from mother to child during birth. Symptoms of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection in women may resemble other STIs, including pain during urination, abnormal vaginal discharge or odor, or abdominal pain. In men, the infection can cause inflammation of the urethra, also known as urethritis. Infections with Ureaplasma urealyticum during pregnancy are also associated with premature birth, lower birth weight and respiratory disorders in newborns. Ureaplasma urealyticum can be treated with antibiotics. However, treatment is not always necessary, especially if you have no symptoms. Ureaplasma urealyticum infections can often clear up on their own.

Ureaplasma parvum

Ureaplasma parvum is a bacterium that commonly inhabits the urogenital tract of humans. While it is often harmless and exists as part of the normal genital microbiota, in some cases it can overgrow and cause uncomfortable symptoms, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Ureaplasma parvum can be sexually transmitted, but in general is not considered an STI. It is estimated that quite a large proportion of people who are sexually active are infected with Ureaplasma without any symptoms. Treatment for this bacteria is not required unless symptoms are present.

Herpes

The herpes simplex virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas and is divided into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is transmitted primarily through oral contact and can cause oral herpes, more commonly known as a cold sore. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral-to-genital contact. HSV-1 is very common – an estimated 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (67%) have HSV-1 worldwide. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes almost exclusively through genital-to-genital contact. An estimated 491 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 (13%) have HSV-2 worldwide. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections can be asymptomatic and many people are therefore unaware they are infected. If present, a first outbreak of symptoms may occur 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. The first outbreak is more severe than future recurrences, and over time the frequency of the outbreaks may decrease. HSV sores form where the infection enters your body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another part of the body. While HSV has no cure, it can be treated with antiviral drugs to ease initial outbreaks and prevent future flare-ups. This test measures active herpes outbreaks that can be detected in urine or vaginal fluid.