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RELIABILITY OF OUR
SELF-TESTS FOR HOME USE
How accurate are our STI kits?
Overview of the reliability of our home tests
The convenience of a home test and the precision of a laboratory test.
Our home tests for sexual health offer a convenient way to get tested if you suspect you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, when an STI test is required, certainty of accuracy is paramount. The test accuracy of home test kits using independent sample collection compared to a medical test at the GP or in a public health facility (GGD) is often up for debate.
The tests offered by DoctorBox allow for self-administration, followed by analysis by a certified medical laboratory, which ensures a high level of reliability. We would like to provide you with more detailed information on this page.
STI home tests
There are two categories of "home tests". One variant allows the result to be read immediately, while the other variant involves the sample being analyzed in a laboratory. We are convinced that sampling with products approved for "at home use" and analysis in a certified laboratory is the more reliable option.
Accordingly, DoctorBox only offers tests where the sample is analyzed in a medical laboratory. We cooperate with certified medical laboratories, which are also used by numerous general practitioners and hospitals.
Präzise Labortests
Unser Labor ist ein bereits mehrere Jahrzehnte bestehendes Labor mit Sitz in Deutschland. Es ist akkreditiert nach der DIN EN ISO 15189, welche besondere Anforderungen an die Qualität und Kompetenz medizinischer Labore festlegt.
Jede Probe wird gewissenhaft den Richtlinien der Bundesärztekammer (RiliBÄK) nach analysiert, genauso als handele es sich um eine Probe, die von medizinischen Praxen eingesandt worden wäre.
Jeder Befund wird von einem Arzt final begutachtet, bevor dieser an Sie - unsere Kunden - übermittelt wird. Auf diese Weise können Sie sicher sein, dass die Analyse Ihrer Probe gewissenhaft und gründlich durchgeführt wurde.
The diagnostic window per STI test
It is important to note that an STI test immediately after unprotected sexual intercourse does not provide reliable results.
In order to obtain accurate results, it is crucial to wait for the appropriate incubation period. This period of time between infection (through unprotected sex) and the point at which the STI is detectable by a test is known as the "window phase" or "diagnostic window".
The duration of this phase varies depending on the type of STI. The table below provides information on the specific window phase for each STI. If symptoms suggestive of an STI occur, immediate testing is advisable.
| STI | diagnostic window |
| Chlamydien | two weeks (14 days) |
| Gonorrhea | two weeks (14 days) |
| Trichomonaden | three weeks (21 days) |
| Mycoplasma genitalium | two weeks (14 days) |
| Mycoplasma hominis | two weeks (14 days) |
| Ureaplasma parvum | two weeks (14 days) |
| Ureaplasma urealyticum | two weeks (14 days) |
| HIV | Combined "Antikörper-Antigen-Suchteste" are positive after 6 weeks at the latest. |
| Syphilis | The TPPA test usually shows a positive result 2-3 weeks after an infection. |
| Hepatitis C | As a rule, antibodies become measurable 7 to 8 weeks after infection. |
Explore our Home Tests
Take charge of your health with our home test kits, offering peace of mind for your sexual health, prevention, and general wellbeing.
Sexual Health
Home test kits for comprehensive screening for STIs and high-risk HPV, ensuring your health.
Prevention
Home test kits for prostate, colorectal, high-risk HPV screening, and thrombosis risk assessment.
General Health
Home test kits for allergies, hemoglobin, amino acids, vitamin D, and blood sugar provide convenient health monitoring.