A rectal swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for anyone who has had anal sex and wants to check for infection in that specific site, with or without symptoms.
2 biomarkers as listed by Better2Know.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are common bacterial STIs that can infect the rectum after anal sex, often without causing any symptoms. This swab test looks for the genetic material of both bacteria in a sample taken from the anus, which is the only reliable way to detect an infection at that specific site rather than in urine or the throat.
At £145, this test is priced the same as Better2Know's throat swab, urine test and general chlamydia and gonorrhoea test, all sharing the identical two-marker panel; the difference is simply which part of the body is sampled. The listing also mentions a £45 home kit option for this test, and Better2Know separately sells £45 home kits for throat, urine and vaginal sampling. LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor's combined kit costs £27.99 and Forth's Basic STI Home Test Kit costs £42, both covering the same two markers.
The test scores at the top of the range for clinical depth relative to its comparison group, since two markers matches the group median exactly, and scores very well for collection convenience given the clinic, nurse-visit and home-kit routes available. value for money is mid-range, sitting level with the £145 median for this comparison group but well above the cheapest home kits mentioned above. The main weakness is results and follow-up, since Better2Know does not review your result with a doctor as standard. Better2Know is CQC registered and rated 4.2 on Trustpilot from 775 reviews.
This test is for you if you have had anal sex, with or without a partner of any gender, and want to check specifically for a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection in the rectum, since a urine or throat test will not detect infection at this site. Better2Know suggests waiting 14 days after exposure if you have no symptoms, so results are accurate, though you can test sooner if you do have symptoms.
If cost is the main factor and you are comfortable self-collecting, the £45 home kit option mentioned for this test or Forth's £42 Basic STI Home Test Kit cover the same two markers for considerably less. If you also need to check for oral or genital infection, you will need Better2Know's throat swab or urine test alongside this one.
You attend a clinic appointment or a home nurse visit, where you are guided through collecting a swab sample from the rectum yourself in private; a £45 home kit is also mentioned for this test. Your sample is sent to Better2Know's laboratory for analysis, with results typically available within two working days through Better2Know's secure online patient area. Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard, though Better2Know says its doctors can help arrange treatment if you test positive.
This rectal swab checks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea specifically in the anus, taken at a clinic or during a home nurse visit, with results back within two working days. At £145 it matches the price of Better2Know's other clinic-based chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests, and the listing also mentions a £45 home kit option for this test. If oral or genital infection is your concern instead, you will need a different Better2Know swab or urine test.
The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.
2 biomarkers against a median of 2 across the 15 tests in its comparison group.
A swab sample you take at home, no needle; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 2 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.
Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.
Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.
£145.00 against a comparison-group median of £145.00 (-0%).
Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.
This test belongs to our Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test comparison group. See how it stacks up against equivalent tests from other providers.
Cheaper than most peers, but not the cheapest option
A urine or vaginal swab home test checking for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, suited to anyone wanting a quick, discreet STI check for these two infections.
Best value chlamydia and gonorrhoea test we track
A two-in-one urine or swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for adults without symptoms who want a routine check for the two most commonly screened bacterial STIs.
Home throat-swab kit cheaper than the clinic version
An at-home throat swab that checks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the mouth and throat, aimed at people who have had oral sex and want to test for infection there specifically.
Home urine test priced level with Better2Know's swab kits
An at-home urine test that checks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the genital and urinary tract, suited to men and women who suspect infection but don't need a throat or rectal swab.
Home vaginal-swab test, same £45 price as the other kits
An at-home vaginal swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, designed for women who want an alternative to a urine sample.
Oral STI swab, plus a £45 Better2Know home kit
A throat swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for anyone who has given oral sex and wants to check for infection in the mouth or throat.
Genital STI urine test, clinic or nurse-visit route
A urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the genital and urinary tract, for anyone who wants to check for infection with or without symptoms.
Vaginal STI swab, with a home kit alternative
A self-collected vaginal swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for women who want to check for genital infection as an alternative to a urine sample.
Clinic-only urine STI test, no nurse-visit option
A clinic-based urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the genital and urinary tract, booked as a standalone clinic appointment.
Clinic swab test, pricier than the home kit version
A chlamydia and gonorrhoea test using a vaginal swab taken at a clinic or during a nurse visit, for women or anyone with a vagina who wants the sample collected by a professional rather than at home.
Clinic urine test, £140 pricier than the home kit version
A chlamydia and gonorrhoea test using a urine sample taken at a clinic or during a nurse visit, for anyone wanting a laboratory-standard result without self-testing at home.
Fast rectal swab, £40 more than the standard version
A rectal swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for anyone who has had receptive anal sex and wants infections at that site checked specifically.
Fast throat swab, pricier than standard and home versions
A throat swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for anyone who has given oral sex and wants infections at that site checked specifically.
Instant clinic result, priced above the group median
An instant swab test giving Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea results at the clinic in under 30 minutes, for anyone who wants a same-visit answer instead of a lab-based test.
Cheaper than most peers, but not the cheapest option
A urine or vaginal swab home test checking for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, suited to anyone wanting a quick, discreet STI check for these two infections.
Best value chlamydia and gonorrhoea test we track
A two-in-one urine or swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for adults without symptoms who want a routine check for the two most commonly screened bacterial STIs.
Home throat-swab kit cheaper than the clinic version
An at-home throat swab that checks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the mouth and throat, aimed at people who have had oral sex and want to test for infection there specifically.
Home urine test priced level with Better2Know's swab kits
An at-home urine test that checks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the genital and urinary tract, suited to men and women who suspect infection but don't need a throat or rectal swab.
