doctor today

More Information about Sexual Health Test Consultations

At Doctor Today we provide a discreet, confidential sexual health (STD) test consultation service. Our sexual health clinicians are sympathetic and non-judgmental and at all times their top priority is to help you, so you can approach them with confidence. The tests we use are chosen for their accuracy and ability to minimise patient discomfort.

Patients who make use of this service usually fall into one of three groups:

1. Patients who do not have symptoms but have had unsafe sexual contact with one or more partners of unknown status
2. Patients who have symptoms (such as urethral or vaginal discharge, sores or burning on passing urine after recent sexual contact)
3. Couples who wish to obtain a clean bill of health before embarking on a new relationship or trying for pregnancy

If you have symptoms, appropriate tests will be recommended. For most conditions, tests are not compulsory before treatment but you should be aware that all medications may have side effects and to cover all possibilities you may have to take a wide spectrum of medication, some of which may not be necessary. Whether have symptoms or not, you may wish to undergo a full sexual health screen where the consultation and a comprehensive set of tests are included in one cost-effective package (more information).

You should also be aware that any test performed may be negative in the very early stages of some diseases (such as HIV) and that a single negative test does not necessarily guarantee disease-free status. Therefore, a second test is recommended six weeks after any high-risk sexual activity (e.g. intercourse with unknown partners). If tests are done on urine or blood, you will be notified that the results are ready as soon as we have received them from the laboratory. Usually this is within 48 hours. HIV results, for example, are usually available on the same day for those with weekday appointments before 2pm, and by 11am the next business day morning for those with appointments between 2pm and 8pm. Certain more complicated tests (e.g. those involving lab cultures) may take longer. As STIs may also affect your partner(s) it may be recommended that they also be screened or treated. The second consultation in which you are given your results is included in the initial price, but you do have to pay for any further lab tests performed and/or necessary medications which are prescribed.

Please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@doctortoday.co.uk or call us on 020 7433 1444 if you have any further questions or wish to make an appointment.