The short explanation
Ask a clinician for sexual health testing and say what you are concerned about; which tests are appropriate depends on your symptoms, what you have been exposed to and how long ago. Many infections cause no symptoms at all, so having none is not a reason to skip testing if there has been a risk.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Timing matters. Tests do not detect an infection immediately after exposure, and the interval differs between infections — so "when did this happen" is one of the first questions and can mean testing now and again later.
- Testing is usually a combination of a swab, a urine sample and a blood test depending on what is being looked for. Not all of it needs an internal examination, and you can ask which parts do.
- It is reasonable to ask which infections you are being tested for, because "a full check" means different things in different places and does not always include the ones you were worried about.
- Treating partners matters. Several infections come straight back if only one person is treated, and clinicians will usually raise it. If telling a partner is difficult or unsafe, say so — that is a real problem and there are ways around it.
- Untreated infections such as chlamydia can spread and affect fertility, which is why testing is worth doing even when you feel well.
- Confidentiality is a fair thing to ask about at the start: who will see the result, and how will you be told.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether you have an infection, and no symptom list can — several of the commonest cause none.
- This cannot tell you which tests you need or when to have them. That depends on the exposure and the timing.
- This cannot tell you where testing is available near you.
- This explanation was written by AskHer's editorial team from the guidance listed under Sources. A clinician registered in India has not signed this version off yet — that is why no clinical reviewer is named at the foot of this page, and it is why nothing here is a diagnosis.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Which infections are you testing me for?
- It has been this long since the exposure — is it too early for any of these tests?
- Does this need an internal examination, or can it be done on urine and blood?
- How and when will I get the results, and who else sees them?
- If something is positive, what happens next, and does my partner need treating?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- you have lower abdominal pain with fever and discharge
- you have been assaulted — a health facility can help with emergency contraception, infection prevention and support, and some of it is time-sensitive
- you have a sore, blister or ulcer that is painful or spreading
Book an appointment soon
- you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
- a partner has told you they have an infection
- you have symptoms that have not settled
- you are planning a pregnancy and have never been tested
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) World Health Organization
- Chlamydia NHS
- Pelvic inflammatory disease NHS
- Pelvic inflammatory disease — patient information Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off. That is what the “Editorially reviewed” badge means, and why it does not say “Clinically reviewed”. It was written and checked by AskHer’s editorial team against the sources listed above, and it is queued for a clinician who works in this area.
- Review status
- Editorially reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Last reviewed 24 August 2026
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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