This at-home STI test kit for men detects 8 of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with results delivered to your inbox in a few days.
We know it’s not always easy to talk about STIs, so we’ve made testing as easy and discreet as possible.
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Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
How is chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia is spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. This can happen during:
Whilst chlamydia can normally be treated with a short course of antibiotics, it can become serious if not treated early. Although rare, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and epididymis in men, causing pain and swelling. It has also been known to cause reactive arthritis in some men and women. In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectoptic pregnancy and infertility.
Gonorrhoea is the second most common STI in the UK and is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
How is gonorrhea transmitted?
Gonorrhoea is spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. This can happen during:
In 2019, more than 70,000 people were diagnosed with gonorrhea in England, disproportionately affecting gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.
As with many STIs, appropriate contraception and not sharing sex toys can reduce the risk of infection.
Trichomoniasis is an STI which is often present alongside other STIs and is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.
How is trichomoniasis transmitted?
Trichomoniasis is spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. This can happen during:
It is not thought to be passed on through oral or anal sex. Wearing a condom during sex vastly reduces the likelihood of spreading the infection.
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that affects the liver and can cause acute (i.e. less than 6 months) or chronic (i.e. more than 6 months) infection.
How is HBV transmitted?
HBV is very contagious and can be spread through sexual and non-sexual means. HBV is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids with an infected person. This can happen during:
HIV (Human immunodeficiency viruses) is an STI that attacks the immune system and weakens your ability to fight off everyday infections.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV can be spread through sexual and non-sexual means. HIV is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids with an infected person. This can happen during:
Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. There are 4 stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Without treatment, syphilis can progress through all 4 stages.
How is syphilis transmitted?
Syphilis is spread primarily through contact with an infected lesion or sore. This can happen during:
It’s important to screen for syphilis is you or your partner are pregnant, as it can be passed on to your baby (congenital syphilis) and also increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a highly infectious virus affecting the liver and can cause acute infection (less than 6 months) or chronic infection (more than 6 months).
How is HCV transmitted?
HCV can be transmitted both sexually and non-sexually. It’s transmitted through the transfer of infected blood entering the bloodstream through a cut or an open wound. As HCV is spread through blood-to-blood contact, sexual activities that raise the possibility of blood exposure increase the likelihood of HCV transmission. These activities may include:
Hepatitis C can survive outside the body for up to 6 weeks, and is more infectious than HIV by a factor of 10. To prevent HCV transmission, it is essential to minimize blood-to-blood contact. Safe sex practices, such as using protection during sexual activity, can help reduce the risk of HCV transmission.
Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium genitalium, and often co-occurs with other STIs. It was first discovered in the 1980s and has since been identified as a cause of several types of STIs, including urethritis in men and cervicitis in women. This bacterium is unique compared to other STIs as it lacks a cell wall, which makes it resistant to certain antibiotics that target cell walls. It is thought up to 1 in 50 adults in England currently carry MG, however almost all will have no ill effects from the infection.
How is MG transmitted?
MG is spread through coming into contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. This can happen during:
Select your men's kit by Yoxly, place an order and receive in the post in discreet packaging.
Take your sample in your own time and, on the same day, post it back in the pre-paid envelope.
Your test is analyzed in accredited labs and further reviewed by a licensed medical professional.
We’ll notify by email when your results are ready. View them in the secure My Yoxly portal.
Most people with chlamydia — up to 50% of men and up to 70% of women — have no symptoms, even though they can still pass the infection on to others. Those who develop symptoms usually do so within 1 – 3 weeks after exposure, though chlamydia symptoms can occur from a few days to months after infection. Symptoms of chlamydia can include:
Many people with Gonorrhoea — up to 50% of women and 10% of men — have no symptoms, even though they can still pass the infection on to others. Those who develop symptoms usually do so within the first 2 weeks after exposure (men usually develop symptoms in 2-5 days, and women in 2-10 days), though gonorrhea symptoms can occur at any time, from days to months after infection. Symptoms of Gonorrhoea can include:
Many people with trichomoniasis — up to 70% of men and women — have no symptoms, even though they can still pass the infection on to others. Those who develop symptoms usually do so within the first 4 weeks after exposure, though trichomoniasis symptoms can anywhere from days to months after infection. Symptoms of trichomoniasis can include:
Many people with HBV have no symptoms and may not know they are infected, though they can still pass the infection on to others.
If you get HBV symptoms, they will typically occur between 60 and 150 days after infection. Those who do develop symptoms often experience a flu-like illness, including vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes) about 2-3 months after exposure. approximately 90% of adults are able to clear the HBV infection and have no ongoing health problems after about 3-6 months. During the acute stage of the HBV infection (i.e. the first 6 months), people are infectious and can spread the disease to others, whether or not they have symptoms. After the first 6 months, those who clear the acute HBV infection are usually immune for life.
However, approximately 10% of people with HBV go on to develop it chronically. People with chronic HBV are still infectious. Chronic HBV can cause severe liver damage (e.g. cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer).
Some people with HIV have no symptoms and may not know they are infected, even though they can still pass the infection to others.
In the early stages of HIV infection, not all individuals develop symptoms. Those who do often present with a flu-like illness about 2 to 6 weeks after infection. After this time, HIV symptoms may not return until months or years later, although the virus is still actively destroying the immune system. Symptoms of HIV can include:
Some people with syphilis have no symptoms, though they can still pass the infection on to others. The symptoms of syphilis depend on the stage, and all 4 stages of syphilis can be infectious.
Many people with HCV may not realize they are infected due to a lack of symptoms, or vague symptoms such as depression, skin problems, pain, or digestive disorders that are easily attributed to other illnesses. Despite this, they can still spread the infection to others, whether they have symptoms or not.
Symptoms of HCV can occur at any time, from weeks to years after infection. During the early, or acute stage of HCV, around 65% of people do not experience symptoms. For those who do, common symptoms include:
Approximately 75% of women and 80% of men infected with Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) have no symptoms. However, they can still spread the disease to others. If symptoms do occur, they typically show up within 4 weeks of exposure, although it is possible for symptoms to appear at any time, from days to years after infection. These may include:
Collect your blood and urine samples in a time and place of your choosing, following the detailed instruction leaflet that’s included in your kit. Check out this video from Yoxly on collecting your urine sample below.
Don’t delay getting tested if you think you have chlamydia (i.e. you or your partner(s) have any of the above symptoms, a partner tells you they have an STI, or you had unprotected sex with someone new, etc). You can get tested for chlamydia at any time, though you may be advised to repeat the test 2 weeks after the date of any potential exposure, as chlamydia can take up to 2 weeks from the time of exposure to show up positive in tests. Therefore unless you have symptoms, we recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for chlamydia.
Importantly, if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, and are concerned you may have chlamydia, we recommend seeking immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
If you think you have gonorrhoea (e.g. you or your partner(s) have any of the above symptoms, your partner tells you they have an STI, or you had unprotected sex with someone new, etc), you should take a test. Similar to with Chlamydia, you can get tested for gonorrhoea at any time, and should do as soon as possible if you have symptoms or have other risk factors. However if you have no symptoms, we recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for gonorrhoea since it can take up to 2 weeks to show up positive in tests.
If you or your partner are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant, and are concerned you may have gonorrhoea, you should seek immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
Just like with chlamydia and gonorrhea, don’t delay in getting tested if you think you may have trichomoniasis. You can get tested for trichomoniasis at any time, although you may need to repeat the test 2 weeks after the date of potential exposure for a positive test to show up. Unless you have symptoms, we recommend that you wait 2 weeks from the time of exposure to test for trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis is often present alongside other STIs. If you test positive for trichomoniasis, we recommend that you and your recent sexual partner(s) are also tested for a range of other STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B.
Importantly, if you or your partner are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant, and are concerned you may have trichomoniasis, you should seek immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
If you think you have Hepatitis B (HBV) (i.e. you or your partner have any of the above symptoms, your partner told you they have an STI, you had unprotected sex with a new partner, etc), you should get checked. We recommend that you wait 4 weeks from the time of exposure to test for HBV, as this is when tests typically show for the infection. Repeat the test at 12 weeks, as it can take up to this length of time for the virus to show up in tests, although you don’t need to wait that long to seek support.
Importantly, if you or your partner are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant, and are concerned you may have HIV, you should seek immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
If you think you have HIV, don’t hesitate to take a STI test. You can get tested for HIV at any time, though HIV tests are most accurate 4 weeks after potential exposure. Similar to HBV, you may be advised to repeat the test 12 weeks after the date of potential exposure as it can take this length of time to show up positive in tests.
Importantly, if you or your partner are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant, and are concerned you may have HIV, you should seek immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV can help prevent progression to AIDS and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others, using antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat it. AIDS is defined as the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe damage to the immune system and the development of life-threatening infections and cancers.
If you have symptoms of syphilis, you should get tested as soon as possible. It can take up to 12 weeks after the date of potential exposure for tests to register in tests, so if you do not have symptoms, or if your result initially came back negative, we recommend that you do a test 12 weeks from the time of exposure.
It’s important to note that not everyone with syphilis will progress through all four stages of the disease, as it can be treated and cured in its early stages with antibiotics.
If you or your partner are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, and are concerned you may have syphilis or may have been exposed to it, you should seek immediate attention and/or advice from a medical professional.
Don’t hesitate to get tested if you suspect you have HCV. Potential exposure could be due to having symptoms, your partner having an STI, unprotected sex with a new partner, etc.
Here are some important things to keep in mind about HCV testing:
Approximately 30% of people are able to clear acute HCV on their own, however this does not provide immunity from future HCV infection. During the acute stage, people are still infectious and can spread the virus to others, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
For people who do not clear the virus during the acute stage, they develop chronic HCV, which is defined as having the virus for more than 6 months. Chronic HCV is rarely cleared on its own and can remain in the body for many years, with a broad and serious effect on your health.
If you suspect you may have MG, it’s important to not delay getting tested. This is especially true if you or your partner(s) have any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, if your partner has informed you they have an STI, or if you had unprotected sex with a new partner. You can get tested for MG at any time, but you may be advised to repeat the test 3 weeks after the date of potential exposure as it can take up to 3 weeks for the results to show up positive. It’s recommended to wait 3 weeks from the time of exposure before getting tested for MG, unless you have symptoms.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant and are concerned about having MG, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention and/or advice.
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CONCLUSION: learn more about how heat can affect sperm quality here.
Besides higher mortality rate and various diseases, stress is associated with low sperm quality. Stress is known to be associated with lower testosterone levels and oxidative stress with both playing an essential role in producing and maintaining healthy sperm cells.
CONCLUSION: If you feel stressed, we recommend you get some help so you can have a balanced mental health. For a stress management guide, download the ExSeed app for free and start your personalized action plan today.
Scientific studies show that men who are physically active have better semen parameters than men who are inactive. Fertility specialists also state that regular physical activity has beneficial impact on sperm fertility parameters and such a lifestyle can enhance the fertility status of men.
Prioritizing exercise can help improve your overall health and result in healthy, fast swimming sperm cells that have good chances of fertilizing an egg.
CONCLUSION: Try incorporating exercise in your weekly schedule to you ensure exercising at least twice weekly. We recommend a combination of cardio training and strength exercise. Read more about exercise and male fertility on our blog.
Fast Food
Processed foods damage the health of sperm-producing cells and cause oxidative stress, which lead to poorer sperm quality. Heavy consumption of junk food (every week) can increase the likelihood of infertility since men who consume vast amounts of unhealthy food are at risk of having poor sperm quality. Besides harming your fertility, junk food enlarges your waistline, harms your cardiovascular system, kidneys, and more.
Vegetables
Eating more fruit and vegetables can increase your sperm concentration and motility. It’s important that you consume a healthy diet filled with antioxidants and that you eat vegetables every day. Foods such as apricots and red bell peppers are high in vitamin A, which improves male fertility by nurturing healthier sperm. Men who are deficient in this vitamin tend to have slow and sluggish sperm.
The exposure to tobacco smoke has significant negative effects on semen quality. The damage of cigarettes and nicotine of course depends on how many cigarettes you smoke per day and for how long, but even low usage (up to 10 cigarettes / day) can inhibit healthy sperm production.
When you have your cell phone in your front pocket, your testicles are exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which studies have shown to damage the sperm cells. Put your phone in the back pocket of your pants or in your jacket pocket.
There is a clear association between obesity and reduced sperm quality. At least part of the reason for this is that obese men may have abnormal reproductive hormonal profiles, which can impair sperm production and lead to infertility.
A BMI higher than 30 can lead to several processes in the body (overheating, increase in oxidative stress in the testes, sperm DNA damage, erectile dysfunction) that can have a negative impact on male fertility. This can result in problems when trying to conceive.
CONCLUSION: BMI is one of the risk factors that influence semen quality and, for example, sperm motility.
A beer or glass of wine now and then do not really harm sperm quality. But excess alcohol drinking (more than 20 units per week) can reduce the production of normally formed sperm needed for a successful pregnancy.
Studies show that women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of getting pregnant. Men can produce sperm cells almost through their entire life, but the sperm cell DNA is more fragile and prone to damage after the age of 40.
As men age, their testes tend to get smaller and softer resulting in a decline in sperm quality and production. These changes are partly because of an age-related decrease in testosterone level, which plays a very important role in sperm
production. Higher male age (>40 years) is not only associated with a decline in sperm production but also with increased sperm DNA fragmentation and worsened morphology (shape) and motility (movement). These negative effects make the sperm cells less qualified for egg fertilization.
CONCLUSION: with an age under 40, you shouldn’t have to worry much about age as a factor in itself. However, studies have shown a slow decline after the age of 30-35 years
and if you are above 40 years of age, your sperm quality can be affected due to increased sperm DNA damage resulting in a decrease of sperm motility and concentration. Remember that you cannot evaluate the quality of a sperm sample by just looking at it – this requires a sperm analysis.