Can I get an STD test on my period?

Published August 29 2025 inSexual Health

3 minutes read

Imagine this: it’s a Saturday morning, and you just got your period. You’ve decided on spending a cosy day indoors on the heating pad, munching on a snack, and watching your favourite TV programme. Next thing you know, you get a text from a sexual partner saying they tested positive for an STD.

Now, instead of focusing on resting and relaxing, your head is spinning with a whole new set of problems. Could you be positive for an STD, too? Where can you go to be tested? And can you even test for STDs on your period?

First, breathe. Rest assured: you can absolutely get tested during your time of the month!

Here’s what you should know about testing and the impact of STDs on your menstrual cycle.

Which sexually transmitted infections can I be tested for during my period?

A lot of sexually active people might think that you can’t get an STD test while on your period.

But you can! And you can get tested for pretty much every infection you normally would. Whether it’s a heavy flow or light flow day, your period blood isn’t going to change the outcome of an STD test.

You can get tested any time during your cycle for conditions including:

Why might my period interfere with an STD test?

Most of the time, your period will have no effect on the samples you provide for an STD test.

What about blood tests?

If you’re getting tested for an STI, you may need to provide a blood sample. Blood samples are usually needed to test for blood-borne infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.

In a clinic setting, a healthcare professional, such as a nurse, will draw your blood. Being on your period will not affect the quality of your blood sample or when you can give it.

What about urine tests?

Infections that affect the urinary tract, like Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Trichomonas, can be detected through your urine. When you pee, your urine carries pathogens, like bacteria and viruses, along with the liquid. These pathogens can then be detected in a sample with a PCR test.

While menstrual blood might enter your urine sample when you provide it, this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. To be safe, it might be a good idea to provide any urine samples on a low flow day to maximise sample quality.

What about swab tests?

Sometimes a vaginal swab is needed when testing for Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. A skilled technician or doctor will be able to do a swab during your period.

There is, however, a slight risk that a swab test could give an inaccurate result due to a high concentration of blood vs. cervical mucus.

If you’re worried about having an STD, though, you shouldn’t let your period delay your testing. It’s better to know sooner than later if you are positive because conditions left untreated for too long can lead to complications.

Does having an STD impact my period?

If you’ve contracted an STD, you might even notice that your period and body are behaving a bit differently than usual.

Some STDs can cause more severe cramping and headaches, pelvic inflammatory disease, or bleeding between periods/spotting. Left untreated long-term, STDS can lead to:

Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
Increased risk of infertility
Chronic pain

The sooner a condition is detected, the sooner you can begin treating it with antibiotics or antiviral medication.

Can I get an STD while on my period?

Yes! If you have sex, you might get an STD, even if you are on your period. Always use protection – no matter where you’re at in your cycle.

Where can I get an STI test?

Find your nearest sexual health clinic today, and we will get you tested, period or no period.

You can also call Better2Know’s 24/7 helpline today for support. Our compassionate team of Sexual Health Advisors will be happy to help you book an STI test near you.