New rapid at-home testing kits for chlamydia and gonorrhoea will be available in the next couple of weeks for any women who suspect they might have sexually transmitted infections. The Therapeutic Goods Administration-approved tests can be done with one vaginal swab and produce a positive or negative result for both infections in 15 minutes.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can appear asymptomatic.
If left untreated in women they can lead to health issues including pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.
The test will not yet be available for men.
The Australian company behind the tests, Touch Biotechnology, hoped they would "empower women to take the first step towards receiving a diagnosis", CEO Matt Salihi said.
More than 110,000 people reported having chlamydia in 2023, while more than 40,000 cases of gonorrhoea have been reported in the past 12 months.
However, the at-home tests miss oral and anal testing sites, according to Sexual Health Victoria deputy medical director Sara Whitburn
"It's only validated from vaginal testing but that's not the only type of intercourse," she told AAP.
Although they would improve access, Dr Whitburn said the tests still needed to be followed up with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lab test, which '"could create barriers to timely diagnosis".
She said the test did not screen for other STIs, whereas "full screen testing includes swabbing and urine testing from all sites and for HIV and syphilis".
While increasing medicare rebates and further access to full screen testing are vital preventative-solutions, the at-home test are a positive step forward, Dr Whitburn said.
"Anything that improves access to testing is good and we want to support people to be empowered to seek out sexual health testing."
