Hi. So I have an appointment to get an STI swab test due to me soon getting the Mirena coil. I have never had an STI swab test before. I have just been on my period and due to me being on the mini pill currently, I tend to spot for a bit after my period. It’s not a lot but it can definitely coat a ear bud type thing. It’s light enough that I don’t need to wear anything for it fyi. Will this effect the result of my test? Everywhere on Google says it’s fine but you can’t trust Google with everything.
I can’t see it being an issue, but there’s no harm in talking to the nurse and letting her know at your appointment.
If she thinks it’s anything that is likely to affect the results, she’ll let you know, and if not, she’ll be able to put your mind at ease ![]()
As a former NHS admin, I would encourage you to give the practice a bell and ask to rearrange. Reception will probably want to know why but it’s much better not to risk it than it is to risk a false positive or inconclusive result that will delay your procedure. If nothing else and they say it’s okay, then at least you will know. Good luck, and I wish you all the best ![]()
It’s much better to call up beforehand than say something at the appointment. As a former NHS admin, appointments are precious pieces of staff time, and a failed appointment is waste of their time that the practice still has to pay for. If a patient can’t go ahead with an appointment for whatever reason - and they know hours or days in advance - then we would always encourage them to call up beforehand and let us know. That way, the appointment can be rearranged and the previously scheduled appointment can be given to someone else ![]()
It’s only the tiniest bit though plus everywhere on Google says they are ok to do even on your heaviest flow. It’s hard to contact my GP with it being a rural town and the phone line is often down and we are not allowed to go in person unless we have an appointment because they still think COVID is around.
It may well have changed since when I worked for the NHS because that was more than ten years ago now, I can only give you the advice we gave back then. You did say in your OP that you can’t trust Google with everything but if you want to trust the information you find on Google now, that’s fine. Ultimately it’s your choice ![]()
Just ask at your appointment, it’s likely to be fine. They’re taking a sample to test for bacteria so whether there is blood present or not shouldn’t affect the presence of bacteria. I have asked my doctor about this before and was told it was fine but i could rearrange if it was heavy and if that would be uncomfortable for me (not because they couldn’t do it with a heavy period but because i might not want to).
Yeah it should be fine as all the swab will be tested for is any detections of STIs