FAQs

Yoxly offers four test kits to test for the 8 most common STIs.

An incubation period refers to the amount of time between exposure to an STI and when symptoms first develop.

Different STIs have different incubation periods. For example, a person may develop symptoms 4 days after being exposed to gonorrhoea. After being exposed to syphilis, however, a person may take 3 weeks to develop symptoms.

It is important to remember that not all people infected with an STI develop symptoms. This means that they may unknowingly have an STI, and pass it on to others.

A window period refers to the amount of time between exposure to an STI and when a test can accurately detect the infection.

Different STIs have different window periods. For example, gonorrhoea can be accurately detected 2 weeks after exposure, while syphilis can be accurately detected 12 weeks after exposure.

Even for the same STI, the incubation period and the window period is often different. For example, after exposure to gonorrhoea a person may develop symptoms in 4 days, but it will take a test 2 weeks to accurately detect gonorrhoea infection.

Considering each STI’s window period, Yoxly advises the following for at-home STI tests:

Chlamydia: Takes up to 2 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for chlamydia.

Gonorrhoea: Takes up to 2 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for gonorrhoea.

Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis): Takes up to 3 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for trichomoniasis.

Mycoplasma genitalium: Mycoplasma genitalium takes up to 3 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 3 weeks from the time of exposure to test for mycoplasma genitalium.

Syphilis: Syphilis takes 4 - 12 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. If in doubt, we recommend that you test 4 weeks from the time of exposure to syphilis, and then again at 12 weeks.

Herpes Simplex Virus ("HSV") I & II: HSV takes up to 12 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 12 weeks from the time of exposure to test for HSV.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ("HIV"): HIV takes up to 4 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. If it’s within 72 hours of potential exposure to HIV, we recommend you seek immediate medical attention at A&E or a GUM clinic. If it's more than 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV, or if in doubt, we recommend that you wait 30 days from the time of exposure to test for HIV, with a repeat test at 45 days.

Hepatitis B Virus ("HBV"): HBV takes 4 - 12 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. If it's within 7 days of potential exposure to hepatitis B, we recommend you seek immediate medical attention at A&E or a GUM clinic. If it’s more than 7 days after potential exposure, or if in doubt, we recommend that you test 4 weeks from the time of exposure to HBV, and then again at 12 weeks.

Hepatitis C Virus ("HCV"): HCV takes up to 12 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. We recommend that you wait 12 weeks from the time of exposure to test for HCV.

Absolutely! Yoxly prioritises your confidentiality and maintains strict privacy guidelines. Yoxly will not share your personal details, order history, test results, or medical history with any other person--including your GP.

Please note: If you test positive for certain infections that are considered particularly high risk to public health in the UK, either we or our laboratory may be required by law to report this to public health agencies. However, this is very rare.

Yoxly's partner laboratory is one of the UK's leading providers of pathology testing, and is accredited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Yoxly understands the anxiety that can accompany sexual health testing, and only partners with laboratories which ensure maximum accuracy.

Yes, all test results are evaluated by a medical professional.

Yoxly is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and conforms to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as it applies in the UK.

Yoxly prioritises your confidentiality and data security, and at every possible step anonymises your data and test results so that your personally identifying information (e.g. name, date of birth) are not stored with your test results. All personal details and medical results are stored in encrypted databases that can only be accessed by Yoxly staff members. All communications regarding test results are encrypted.

Yoxly operates in strict accordance with its GDPR policy, which is legally reviewed on a regular basis by specialists trained and equipped to safeguard and protect sensitive data. We know your data is yours and yours alone; it is important to you, and at every step we treat it with the utmost confidence and care.

Yoxly is also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent body set to uphold information rights.

Purchases from Yoxly's website will appear on your statement as "SP * YOXLY".

Yes, in accordance with your rights, you can request that Yoxly forget (or erase) your data. To request this, please email your full name, account email address, date of birth, and billing post code to support@yoxly.com.

The test kit you order depends on your biological sex, your sexual practices, and which STIs you may have been exposed to.

To order a test, Yoxly requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, biological sex, email address, mobile phone number, payment information, billing and shipping address. This data and your details are held in the strictest of confidence, and are shared only with our laboratory.

Individuals who identify as trans or non-binary should choose kits according to their genitalia.

Your test kit will arrive via First Class Royal Mail in discreet packaging which fits through a standard letterbox. It does not require a signature upon delivery. Depending upon the time you place your order, you should receive it within 2 business days.

This is extremely rare, but mistakes do happen and sometimes things get lost in the post! If your test kit does not arrive, please contact us at support@yoxly.com and one of our team members will work out the best possible solution.

The contents of your test kit depend upon the type of test you order. Kits can include:

• Detailed instructions
• Blood collection tubes
• Urine collection tube (for males)
• Swab collection pack (for females)
• Lancets
• Alcohol wipes
• Plasters
• Pre-paid envelope for returning your samples to the laboratory

Yes! However, we understand that collecting your own samples can be daunting, and so each Yoxly kit includes detailed instructions taking you step-by-step through the process. Our users tell us that by following these instructions, taking the test is relatively easy and straightforward.

This depends on the type of test you order.

But don't worry! Even if your kit requires you to take a blood sample, the kit instructions will guide you step-by-step through the process, and all the tools needed are included in your kit.

If you’re on your period, you may be worried that your menstrual blood may impact test results. Thankfully, it generally does not matter where you are in your cycle when getting tested in our Yoxly lab. Menstrual blood will not affect your test result.

It is recommended that you don't avoid getting tested due to being on your period, as if you do have an STI, the longer it goes untreated the more complications can arise. However, it is up to you if you’d rather wait until your period is finished before taking your sample.

We know that your test results are private and belong only to you, so we have taken steps to ensure only you can access your test results.

Your test results will be available in your My Yoxly account portal. We'll notify you via email when your account portal has been updated.

Your account portal will include not only your test results, but also treatment guidance (should you need it).

Absolutely! Yoxly prioritises your confidentiality and maintains strict privacy guidelines. Yoxly will not share your personal details, order history, test results, or medical history with any other person--including your GP.

Please note: If you test positive for certain infections that are considered particularly high risk to public health in the UK, either we or our laboratory may be required by law to report this to public health agencies. However, this is very rare.

If you test positive for an STI(s), Yoxly will send you the following information, along with your results:

• How the infection is treated
• Where you can get treatment
• Guidance about retesting
• Guidance about partner notification
• Available support networks

Certain STIs (e.g. gonorrhoea, mycoplasma genitalium) require additional testing to determine which treatment will be most effective against that type of infection. Other STIs (e.g. syphilis, HIV, HBV, HCV) require a repeat blood test to confirm the diagnosis. If you need additional testing or repeat confirmatory blood testing, we recommend you go to a GUM clinic right away. This is because you may also need a physical exam, or referral to a specialist doctor and/or clinic. Based on the results of the second test(s), a GUM clinic can organise additional investigations (e.g. screening for other STIs) as appropriate, provide necessary treatment (e.g. specific medications or medications that are more complex and require review), organise follow up (e.g. test of cure), offer counselling, and assist with anonymous partner notification.

We recommend that all women who are pregnant and concerned that they may have an STI immediately attend a GUM clinic, their GP, gynaecologist/obstetrician, or midwife -- as STIs during pregnancy can cause serious complications.

Different STIs require different treatments. The recommended treatment for you will depend on a few factors, such as:

• The STI(s) for which you are currently seeking treatment
• Medical conditions that you currently have, or have been diagnosed with in the past (including previous STIs)
• If you have previously been diagnosed with an STI, it is important to know which STI(s) you were diagnosed with, what treatment(s) you received, and when you received those treatment(s)
• Any medications you currently take
• Any allergies you may have to certain medications or foods
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

You can get all treatments from a GUM clinic (where treatment is free). To find your nearest GUM clinic, click here. Some treatments may be available from your GP (where you may have to pay a small prescription fee). However, if you don’t want to wait for an appointment or you don’t wish to speak directly with a healthcare provider, you can purchase a few of these treatments (namely, for chlamydia or trichomoniasis) online through a recognized pharmacy (e.g. Lloyds Pharmacy or Superdrug’s “Online Doctor” service). Register with the pharmacy online and answer a few basic questions (similar to those we have listed above). A healthcare provider will review your responses and issue the appropriate treatment, which you can collect in store or have delivered to you.

If you complete a course of treatment for an STI and your symptoms haven’t gone away, we recommend that you visit a GUM clinic or see your GP, so that they can review your symptoms, exclude other possible causes for your symptoms, and/or start you on a different treatment.

If you want to speak with a medical professional, you can contact your GP surgery or a GUM clinic.

Some STIs are never fully “cured,” but they can be effectively managed with certain medications, or when your body develops enough of its own immunity against the infection. For these STIs, retesting after being diagnosed or starting treatment is important to monitor how your body is responding to the infection or how effective the treatment is.

• Hepatitis B ("HBV"): Most adults with acute HBV (HBV lasting less than 6 months) recover fully, because their immune system is able to fight off the virus. However, about 10% of adults with acute HBV go on to develop chronic HBV (HBV lasting more than 6 months), because their immune system is unable to fight off the virus. People with chronic HBV are not cured from infection, and it is associated with long-term health complications. People with chronic HBV are often started on medications to help prevent the development of these complications. Because of this, people with chronic HBV need regular testing and specialist follow up, to monitor the infection, their response to treatment, and for signs of complications.
• Herpes Simplex Virus I & II ("HSV I & II"): People with HSV are not cured from infection, but the condition can be well managed with a combination of treatments. Sometimes symptoms of HSV can take several years to develop. Because of this, people with HSV may need repeat testing a few weeks apart, to determine the type of infection (i.e. “primary” vs “recurrent” episode). Some may also need specialist follow up to monitor for signs of complications.
• HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus): People with HIV are not cured from infection, but the condition can be well managed with a combination of treatments. People with HIV require regular testing and specialist follow up, to monitor the infection, their response to treatment, and for signs of complications.

Retesting after treatment (otherwise known as a “test of cure”, or "TOC") is required for specific STIs, to make sure that the infection has been eliminated. These STIs include:

• Gonorrhoea
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis C

Not all STIs routinely require retesting after treatment. These include:

• Chlamydia (genital)
• Trichomoniasis

However TOC is sometimes recommended in certain circumstances or for certain groups of people. For example:

• Chlamydia: pregnancy, poor compliance, symptoms persist or recur after treatment, rectal chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis: poor compliance, symptoms persist or recur after treatment
• Bacterial vaginosis: symptoms persist or recur after treatment