What is being tested for?

Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas

What does the STI Budget test entail?

With the STI Budget test, your bodily material is analysed via a PCR test for the pathogens of one of the following STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas or mycoplasma. You decide which STI home test you choose. You also have the option to send multiple samples from multiple body locations to the laboratory, in addition to a standard sample for men or women. This depends on your sexual behaviour.

This affordable and reliable STI home test is very suitable if you want to know specifically if you have contracted a certain STI, for example, because you have been warned by a sexual partner. This test may also be suitable if you want to know as a precaution if you are infected with chlamydia (the most common STI) and want to rule out passing chlamydia to a new partner.

Information about the STIs in this test kit.

Below you can find at a glance the most important information about chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas or mycoplasma. Click on the links for more detailed information.

Chlamydia

• Is the most common STI.
• Is caused by a bacterium.
• Approximately 70% of women and 50% of men develop no symptoms.
• Untreated chlamydia can cause severe inflammation, for example, in the cervix, bladder, and rectum.
• Chlamydia LGV is a variant of chlamydia that mainly occurs in the anus of men who have sex with men. This variant can cause more severe symptoms.
• Although rare, chlamydia can lead to infertility.
• In pregnant women, chlamydia can pose a danger to the unborn baby.
• Chlamydia can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Gonorrhoea 

• Gonorrhoea is the second most common STI after chlamydia and is caused by a bacterium.
• Also known as 'the clap' due to the characteristic pus-like discharge from the penis.
• Infection mainly occurs among men who have sex with men.
• Untreated, it can cause many problems and, among other things, lead to infertility in women.
• In pregnant women, a gonorrhoea infection poses a danger to the unborn baby.
• Can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Mycoplasma 

• Mycoplasma is a relatively unknown STI and is caused by a bacterium.
• It is not entirely clear how common mycoplasma is.
• Mycoplasma is often only tested for if symptoms persist and there is no evidence of chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
• The symptoms of mycoplasma are similar to the symptoms of chlamydia.
• Mycoplasma does not always need to be treated, but can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Trichomonas 

• Trichomonas is caused by a parasite.
• Men usually do not develop symptoms in the case of a trichomonas infection.
• For women, 20% to 50% will develop symptoms.
• In pregnant women, trichomonas poses a risk to the unborn baby, as an infection can lead to premature rupture of the membranes.
• Trichomonas can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

 

Is this test suitable for you?

For the most reliable result, it is important that you choose the correct STI test. The right STI home test is a test for the right type of STI or STIs and for the right samples: a vaginal swab, a urine sample, an anal swab, an oral swab, or a combination. This depends on several factors, including: your gender, your sexual practices, and whether you may belong to a risk group. Easily find out if this test is suitable for you by going through our selection tool or consulting our medical team.

Go through here the Easly STI test guide

Can you test already?

Before you take a test, it's important to consider the incubation period of an STI. The incubation period is the time between the moment of infection and the moment an STI is detectable through a test. If you test too early, your test may come back negative even though you are infected. This is a false-negative result. Below you will find a table with the incubation periods per STI.

 

STI	Incubation Period	When to test
Chlamydia	14 days	Two weeks after unprotected sex. Test immediately if you have symptoms and repeat the test after two weeks if the result is negative.
Gonorrhoea	14 days	Two weeks after unprotected sex. Test immediately if you have symptoms and repeat the test after two weeks if the result is negative.
Trichomonas	21 days	Four weeks after unprotected sex. Test immediately if you have symptoms and repeat the test after four weeks if the result is negative.
Mycoplasma	28 days	If there are persistent symptoms, without indications of Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. Testing for mycoplasma is especially useful for men with persistent symptoms.
Herpes	4 days	Immediately if blisters are present in or around the vagina, on or around the penis, in or around the anus.
Syphilis (primary)	10 to 90 days	Immediately if a sore (ulcer) is present in or around the vagina, on or around the penis, in or around the anus, or in the mouth.

 

What else should you consider when doing an STI test?

Read more about our services and some important considerations when taking an STI self-test via the webpage Easly STI care.