How To Get A Free STI Test Kit 2025

30 Jan 2025, by Christina Attrah, min. read

A free STI test kit might save your health, and your sex life.

Safe and consensual sex is always super important, but especially when you’re at university.

You’re young and free, but you have to make sure you’re keeping your wits about you. And that means regularly testing for STIs and using protection.

In a recent survey of Gen Z, we found that 56% had never used a test kit for an STI either due to not feeling like they needed one, not wanting to, or being too embarrassed or nervous to get one.

We know it can be a bit of an awkward subject, but getting tested for STIs is too important to skip — for your benefit and the people you might be seeing. It’s nothing to be worried or ashamed about, so we’ve got everything you need to know about how to get a free STI test kit.

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In this guide:

What is an STI?
Difference between STI and STD
How to get a free STI test kit
STI FAQs

What is an STI?

STIs — Sexually Transmitted Infections — are a type of infection or disease that’s passed from one person to another, more commonly from unprotected sexual contact with the infected person.

You may also see the term ‘STD’ (Sexually Transmitted Disease) thrown around, which can be the same thing.

An STI can present itself as a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, ranging in severity and complication if left untreated.

While every STI is different, some of the most common symptoms include:

Discharge (vaginal and/or urethral)
Lumps in or around the genital area
Pain during sex or in the lower abdomen/pelvis
Bleeding after sex, spotting
Abdominal pain
Flu-like symptoms

Some STIs may not even present symptoms at all, hence why it’s worth having regular STI checks, especially if you’re actively dating or have a new partner(s). Many forms of STIs can be treated, or managed with medication – but it’s important to act quickly.

Difference between STI and STD

The terms STIs and STDs have been used interchangeably, and are essentially the same thing.

However, if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of it all, the main difference is that an STI is an infection caused by a virus or bacteria/fungus, whereas an STD is a disease that develops from an STI and showcases symptoms.

The term ‘STD’ has been around longer but carries a stigma because not all STIs progress into a disease (STDs). Plus, not all STIs cause symptoms and can be treated before they progress.

It’s also important to have adequate sexual aftercare practices, to reduce the risk of UTIs and other possible infections.

How to get a free STI test kit

If you’re wondering how to get a free STI test kit, you’re in the right place. It’s luckily pretty simple which should ease any added anxiety you might have about the test in the first place.

If you want to go for an in-person STI test, you can find a sexual health clinic near you. You might have to make an appointment but sometimes walk-ins are available. These clinics may be called Genitourinary Medicine (GUM). You can also ask your GP surgery if they can help or point you to the nearest clinic.

If you’re interested in a free home STI test, you can request one from the following places:

SH:24
- Cost: free (in most areas)
- Services: STI testing, emergency contraception, contraception, warts and herpes treatment, PrEP HIV Prevention
NHS Chlamydia test
- Cost: free
- If you’re under 25 years old, NHS will offer free home testing kits for Chlamydia
- The test only looks for Chlamydia, so if you’re worried about anything you’ll need to order other test kits
Sexual Health London (SHL)
- Cost: free
- Services: tests available for Chlamydia, HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B and C
- Only available for those aged 16 or over in most Boroughs of London (excluding Hillingdon, Croydon, and Greenwich)
Terrence Higgins Trust
- Cost: free for eligible individuals, £15 otherwise
- Only tests for HIV
The Sexual Health Hub
- Cost: free
- Services: tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, and Syphilis
- Must be 16 or over and live in North Lincolnshire, Teesside, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, or Cheshire West and Chester
Brook
- Cost: free
- Use the region locator to find where you can get a free STI test kit from

STI FAQs

How long does it take to get STI test results back UK?

The length of time it takes for your STI test results to come back to you typically depends on the type of test you carry out.

Generally, you should receive results within 3-7 days of returning your test, even if you completed an NHS STI test kit. If you test at a clinic, you can usually get the results right there and then. You may receive your results via text, but if you’re unreachable, then you may receive a follow-up call. This is typically when the results are positive, though.

If it’s been more than a week, it’s worth contacting the clinic you submitted your test to, to see where it’s at. Even if you still have no symptoms, you should always follow up on your STI test just to be sure.

Can Chlamydia go away on its own?

No, Chlamydia cannot go away on its own.

If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to further health problems such as infertility. Even though symptoms of Chlamydia might come and go, it does not mean it’s gone and you’ll still need to treat it.

Chlamydia can be cured with the right course of treatment too, which usually involves a course of antibiotics. This will relieve any worry of it getting worse too.

It’s also worth noting that chlamydia can be diagnosed again if you’re not practising safe sex.

Can you get Chlamydia from kissing?

Fortunately, Chlamydia cannot be passed on from kissing. So if you’ve recently kissed someone who was diagnosed with Chlamydia recently, then you’re totally fine (provided you haven’t made sexual contact).

Chlamydia is spread through unprotect vaginal, oral, or anal sex. You can also spread it via shared sex toys that haven’t been cleaned/covered with a condom each time.

Pregnant women who have Chlamydia can pass it on to the baby during vaginal childbirth.

To maintain proper sexual hygiene, check out how often you should change your bed sheets (more often than you might be doing).

How long can you have Chlamydia before it causes damage?

Chlamydia doesn’t always show symptoms, so many people may not realise that they have it.

It can be carried by the individual for months, sometimes years, without any obvious symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re testing for STIs regularly, as complications from Chlamydia may include:

Infertility — for both men and women
Weakened immune system
Chronic pain
Complications during pregnancy

If you find out you have Chlamydia, get it treated as soon as possible (typically with antibiotics). Leaving Chlamydia untreated for more than a year can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs.

What are signs of STDs in your mouth?

If you’re worried about oral STDs and STIs, here are some signs of STDs in your mouth:

Painful or painless sores in the mouth
Wounds or lesions around the mouth similar to cold sores
Difficulty swallowing and sore throat
Redness with white spots (looks like strep throat)
Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils

Make sure you and any partners you’re sexually active with are regularly STI testing.

Can you get STD if both partners have no STDs?

If you and your partner/s have no STIs or STDs then the chances of contracting one is very low. However, the chances are never zero — some STDs might not show symptoms, so you might not be aware that you have one.

Make sure you’re regularly testing for STIs, especially when changing partners. Catching an STI early will increase your chances of curing it.

People with penises, keep an eye out for itchy balls as this can sometimes be an early sign of STIs like Gonorrhoea or Herpes.