Why testing frequency matters
Because most STIs cause no symptoms, testing is the only reliable way to know your status. How often you should test depends on your sexual behaviour, the number and type of partners you have, and whether you use barrier methods consistently. Testing recommendations are not about moral judgement — they are based on the epidemiology of which behaviours carry higher transmission risks.
General recommendations
For sexually active adults with new or multiple partners, BASHH recommends annual STI testing as a minimum. For gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) with multiple partners, testing every 3 months is recommended and includes HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. For people on PrEP, 3-monthly testing is a requirement of the PrEP programme. Anyone entering a new relationship, regardless of prior testing, is encouraged to test before stopping barrier method use.
What to test for
A standard sexual health screen includes chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV. Depending on your sexual practices, additional tests may be recommended — including throat and rectal swabs for anyone who has oral or anal sex; hepatitis B and C for people who inject drugs or have certain risk factors; and herpes or HPV testing in specific clinical contexts. Speak to a sexual health clinician who can advise based on your individual history.
Barriers to testing and how to overcome them
Many people delay testing due to embarrassment, fear of a positive result, or not knowing how to access services. NHS sexual health clinics are entirely confidential, non-judgemental, and free. Home test kits are available online from most local sexual health services for those who prefer not to attend in person. A positive result, while difficult news, is always better than an undetected infection — virtually all STIs are more treatable when caught early.