Gonorrhoea testing kit

Testing for gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI. In 2017, there was a 22% rise in diagnoses of the infection across England.

According to the NHS, a tenth of men and just under half of women experience no symptoms after they contract gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria are passed on through sexual contact and sharing sex toys.

Symptoms of a gonorrhoea infection can include:

• Abdominal pain in women
• Discharge from the vagina or penis
• Inflammation of the foreskin in men
• Pain when urinating
• Testicular tenderness in men
• Unusual bleeding in women

In some cases, gonorrhoea can be asymptomatic (cause no symptoms). Because of this, it is important to be tested for gonorrhoea even if you are not experiencing symptoms.

Should I get tested for gonorrhoea?

If you or your partner experience symptoms of gonorrhoea, or if one of your previous partners has told you they have tested positive for gonorrhoea, you should be tested.

You should also consider being regularly tested for other STIs if you are outside a monogamous relationship and sexually active.

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to infertility in both sexes, pelvic inflammatory disease, septicaemia or ectopic pregnancy in women.

In pregnant women, untreated gonorrhoea can lead to miscarriage, premature labour or the baby being born with damage to their vision.

When should I get tested for gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea has an incubation period of 2 to 7 days. Testing for gonorrhoea too early can produce a false negative result. Symptoms are likely to develop later, by which time you could have unknowingly passed on the infection to your partner.

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Gonorrhoea testing kit

To test for gonorrhoea, a urine sample is required. Gonorrhoea can be tested for using any of the following kits:

• Gonorrhoea test kit (only tests for gonorrhoea)
• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test kit (only tests for gonorrhoea and chlamydia)
• Full STI urine test kit (7-in-1)

What does the gonorrhoea testing kit contain?

The gonorrhoea testing kit contains:

• A name label
• A packing wallet
• A prepaid envelope
• A request form
• A sample vial
• A test kit box
• A test tube box
• A urine collection box

How do I use the gonorrhoea testing kit?

To use the testing kit, start by filling in the documentation (the request form and the label) with a black, ballpoint pen. Be sure to write the required information clearly.

Ideally, the best time to take your sample is in the morning, straight after waking up. Make the urine collection box by squeezing the sides and start urinating into the box. Once you have filled the box halfway, continue urinating into the toilet.

Carefully pour the urine from the sample box into the sample vial, being careful not to get any urine on the outside of the tube. Once you've filled the sample vial up to the marking, screw on the cap tightly.

Discard the remaining urine from the sample box down the toilet and discard the box itself.

Seal the vial into the plastic wallet. Make sure to affix the sample label to the tube.

Put the plastic wallet with the urine sample into the test kit box, along with the request form. Then place the box into the prepaid envelope, seal it and post it to our partner laboratory at your earliest convenience.

Where are the samples tested?

The sample you provide is analysed at our partner laboratory using the same testing techniques used by hospitals, GUM and sexual health clinics.

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Gonorrhoea test results

Test results for our gonorrhoea testing kits are made available online.

You will receive an email notification when your results are available to view.

To view your test results, simply login to your Prescription Doctor account, go to "My Orders", find your order and select the "TDL Results" button to view your test results.

When will I get my results?

Your results will usually be available 2 days after our partner laboratory receives your sample.

How can I access my results?

You will be able to access your results through your Prescription Doctor account. You will also receive an email and text message to notify you once your results are available.

What do I do if I test positive for gonorrhoea?

If you test positive for gonorrhoea, you should inform all sexual partners from the last 3 months, as they would also need testing.

The usual treatment for gonorrhoea is an injection followed by an antibiotic tablet. However, the alternative treatment of two antibiotic tablets can be given if you prefer.

You may be asked to take a test a week after being given treatment to ensure the treatment has worked and that the infection has cleared.

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Confidential service with Prescription Doctor

We understand your need for confidentiality when testing and seeking treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

All of our tests are delivered in discreet packaging and sealed with a security label to ensure the contents are not visible.

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Table of contents

Testing for gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea testing kit

Gonorrhoea test results

Confidential service with Prescription Doctor