STI swab collection guide. Step-by-step guide to self-collecting throat, vaginal, and rectal swabs for STI testing. Self-collection is simple, private, and accurate. No one examines you.
Why self-collect? Standard STI testing includes blood and urine — but STIs can also infect the throat, rectum, and vagina. These sites are almost always symptom-free. A urine test alone will miss infections at these sites. Self-collection swabs let you test these sites in a private space. No one examines you.
Throat swab. For anyone who has given oral sex. Open mouth wide, rub swab firmly across the back of throat (tonsil area). Rotate 2–3 times for 5 seconds. You may gag slightly — this is normal. Do not eat, drink, or use mouthwash for 30 minutes before.
Rectal (anal) swab. For anyone who has had receptive anal sex. Gently insert swab 2–3cm. Rotate 2–3 full turns for 5–10 seconds. Visible faecal matter is fine. No preparation needed.
Vaginal swab. For anyone with a vagina who has had vaginal sex. Insert swab about 5cm. Rotate 3 full turns for 10–30 seconds. No speculum needed. More accurate than urine for women.
Where to self-collect. At a pathology clinic (let staff know you need self-collect swabs — they provide equipment and a private room). At home with an at-home STI kit ($79). At our Melbourne clinic ($149).
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