Testing with a new partner, before you stop using condoms

Why a new partner is a reason to test

The Australian STI Management Guidelines (opens in new tab) list a new sexual partner as one of the things that raise the chance of an STI, and as a reason for testing in its own right. Most STIs cause no symptoms, so neither of you can tell by how you feel. See why most people with an STI have none.

Timing it so the result counts

A test can only find an infection once it’s past its window period. So the clock that matters is the time since either of you last had sex with someone else:

• Chlamydia and gonorrhoea show up from around 2 weeks.
• HIV shows up on a lab blood test from around 6 weeks, and on a self-test from around 12 weeks.
• Syphilis needs a blood test at around 12 weeks.

If it’s been less than that, test now and again once you’re outside the window. Keep using condoms in the meantime. The details are on how soon after sex you can test.

Test together

It’s simplest when you both test around the same time and share your results. Make sure each of you tests every site you’ve used for sex, not just a urine sample: see which STI sample you need. If either result is positive, you’ll both need treatment before you have sex again, or you can pass it back and forth.

What a clear result can’t tell you

Routine STI testing doesn’t include herpes or HPV, the virus behind genital warts, as the guidelines don’t recommend testing people without symptoms for them. Herpes is very common: the guidelines estimate 70–80% of people have the type that usually causes cold sores and 12–15% the type more often found on the genitals, and most don’t know. So two clear results don’t rule them out. See what a routine STI check doesn’t test for.

Vaccination helps here: ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine if you haven’t had it, and about hepatitis B if you’re not immune.

Once you’ve stopped using condoms

• If you’re only having sex with each other, you don’t need regular testing, unless something changes.
• If either of you has other partners, keep testing as often as your situation suggests. See how often to get STI testing.
• If pregnancy is possible, you’ll need another form of contraception. Other contraception doesn’t protect against STIs.

Bringing it up

It doesn’t have to be a big conversation. Suggesting you both test before you stop using condoms is a normal thing to ask for, and it says nothing about anyone’s past. Picking a time away from sex, and offering to test first, makes it easier.

How at-home testing works with Prickly

Prickly is an Australian at-home STI testing service for people without symptoms. You can each request testing online and collect at home, and a doctor confirms it suits you before anything is sent.

• Request online. Complete a five-minute online request, or book a short call with a doctor – bulk billed with Medicare. Either way, a doctor confirms that at-home STI testing is suitable for you.
• Receive your equipment. Collection equipment tailored to your exposures ships the same or next business day in an unmarked mailer box with Australia Post tracking.
• Collect at home. Follow the included STI testing self-collection guide – swabs and urine for the lab, and, if you’ve added HIV testing, a fingerprick HIV self-test you read at home in 15 minutes.
• Post to the lab. Post your lab samples back the same day using the included prepaid return label – at any Australia Post Office, red street posting box or Parcel Locker.
• Get your results. A doctor reviews every lab test result and emails you privately. Telehealth follow-up included – with help accessing treatment and telling partners, if needed.

The same steps are on the home page under How it works, and fees are under Pricing.

When at-home testing isn’t right

See someone in person at a sexual health clinic (opens in new tab), GP clinic (opens in new tab) or urgent care clinic (opens in new tab) instead if you have symptoms or if you’re under 16. And if you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, don’t wait for a test – visit www.getpep.info (opens in new tab) or go to a sexual health clinic (opens in new tab) or emergency department (opens in new tab) as soon as you can. If something happened without your consent, 1800RESPECT (opens in new tab) is also available 24/7 for free, confidential support.