Many people may find home testing a bit daunting. Even with all the convenience of an at-home test kit, it can be hard to know if you’re doing things right.
If you have ordered one of Better2Know’s swab specimen kits to be tested for an STD, here are some guidelines for collecting a high-quality specimen for your test.
Worried about STDs? Test yourself at home with one of Better2Know’s home test kits.
Unpack your home testing materials
When you receive the Better2Know Home Specimen Collection Kit (Swab Specimen) in the post and are ready to collect your specimen, open the package and make sure your test kit contains the following items:
- A swab in a plastic tube
- Instructions and checklist
Once you have confirmed that all of the above items are included in your kit, you can begin collecting the sample.
Wash your hands and clean a flat surface
Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
You may also want access to a clean flat surface, such as a counter or the ledge of your sink, to have somewhere to place the items you use. Wash this surface with warm soapy water or a cleaning spray.
Lay out the ingredients in front of you
Empty the test kit materials onto the flat surface in front of you. That way, everything you need will be available.
Get your sample
Now, you are ready to take your swab sample. Your instructions will vary depending on the type of stylus you are getting.
Vaginal smear
Here are the instructions for taking a vaginal swab.
- Maintain a balanced posture: You will want to maintain a balanced posture throughout the sample collection process, with a clear view of your groin. Do whatever makes you most comfortable. This can mean sitting on a toilet or putting one foot on a slightly elevated surface, such as the edge of a bathtub, a chair, or the lid of your toilet if you’re in your bathroom.
- Open the swab container: Take the swab bottle and twist the cap to remove the swab.
- Hold the swab correctly: With one hand, hold the swab by the cap so that the tip of the stick is pointing towards you.
- Insert the swab: With your other hand, spread the skin of your vagina to create an opening. Try to relax your muscles as much as possible. Insert the tip of the swab into the vagina, pointing in the direction of your lower back, no more than 2 inches. If the swab doesn’t slide off easily, gently rotate it as you apply pressure. If you cannot insert the swab easily, do not continue. Call the helpline for guidance.
- Collect the sample: Once the swab is in place, make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that the swab absorbs the moisture. Rotate the swab 10-15 times.
- Seal the swab tube: Place the swab back into the bottle and twist the cap to seal.
- Place the cotton swab bottle back in the box: Place the swab back into the delivery box it came in.
Rectal smear
Here are instructions for taking a rectal swab.
- Open the swab: Take the swab bottle and twist the cap to pull the swab out of the bottle.
- Collect the sample: Relax your muscles as much as possible. Hold the swab cover tightly and insert the swab into your anus, about 2-3 inches. Rotate the swab 5 times as you gently pull it out of your anus.
- Seal the swab tube: Place the swab back into the bottle and twist the cap to seal.
- Place the cotton swab bottle back in the box: Place the swab back into the delivery box it came in.
External swab (sores, warts, genital discharge, etc.)
Here are instructions for getting an external stylus.
- Open the swab: Take the swab bottle and twist the cap to pull the swab out of the bottle.
- Collect the sample: Holding the cap firmly, clean the affected area with the end of the swab. This can be a sore, wart or chanka. Twist the end of the swab to make sure you cover as much of the affected area as possible. Swab only one area with each swab—doing so will prevent cross-contamination.
- Seal the swab tube: Place the swab back into the bottle and twist the cap to seal.
- Place the cotton swab bottle back in the box: Place the swab back into the delivery box it came in.
Neck wiper
Here are instructions for neck swab collection.
- Open the swab: Take the swab bottle and twist the cap to pull the swab out of the bottle.
- Collect the sample: Make sure the swab touches several parts of the back of your mouth:
- Both tonsils
- Back walls
- Uvula (the soft flap at the back of your mouth)
- Seal the swab tube: Place the swab back into the bottle and twist the cap to seal.
- Place the cotton swab bottle back in the box: Place the swab back into the delivery box it came in.
Consult the checklist
Each test kit has an “Ultimate Checklist” section on the instruction sheet. Before publishing your sample, make sure you’ve included everything you need according to the list.
Seal the envelope
After you have included everything you need to include in the delivery box, put the box inside the envelope and seal it. Place the box as soon as possible.
Final thoughts
Home testing should be simple and straightforward. We hope these instructions can help you collect your samples and get your test results as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the testing process, please call the number at the top of this page to speak to one of our trained Sexual Health Counsellors. They can discuss your situation and provide advice and guidance about the test.
If you want to get tested for STDs but don’t know where to start, try Better2Know’s full screen, which checks for 7 of the UK’s most common STDs.
