There are a number of places where people can access STI testing, including GP surgeries and sexual health and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. The latter are very popular because they are confidential, yet will help with sexual contact tracing so previous partners know they might need to get tested as well. They can also provide supplies of condoms in order to facilitate safer sex.

It is also possible to access home testing kits for some STIs, but care is needed as there are many available but not all are accurate or reliable. 

Remember

It is important to note that STIs are not only transmitted through sex, but, depending on the infection, also through contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid. This means safer sex methods extend beyond simply using a condom for penetrative intercourse, and instead barrier methods should be used for any sexual activity, including use of sex toys and oral sex. 

It is also a sensible idea for couples to have simultaneous STI tests before becoming sexually involved, and for anyone who is undergoing treatment for an STI to wait until they have completed treatment and/or had a negative test before resuming sexual activity.