{"id":11019007,"date":"2026-03-02T13:56:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T13:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labtest.nl\/?p=11019007"},"modified":"2026-08-24T08:46:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T08:46:35","slug":"online-sti-tests-what-does-de-volkskrant-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/labtest.nl\/en\/sti-tests\/online-sti-tests-what-does-de-volkskrant-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Online STI tests: what does de Volkskrant say?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ordering an STI test online is easier than ever. With just a few clicks, you can have a test delivered to your home without making an appointment with your doctor or a sexual health clinic. That sounds ideal. But how reliable are these online tests really?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an article published by de Volkskrant (27 February 2026)<\/strong><\/a>, this question is discussed in detail. The newspaper warns that some self-tests can even feel like \u201cRussian roulette\u201d. That may sound alarming, which is why it is important to understand the difference between the different types of STI tests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Labtest.nl, we believe that clear information is the foundation for making a safe choice. Below, we clearly explain what you need to know.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Three types of STI tests: know the difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the article in de Volkskrant, there are three types of STI tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Test through a doctor or sexual health clinic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sample is professionally collected and analysed in a laboratory. This is the traditional and reliable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Home test with laboratory analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You collect the sample yourself at home (for example, urine or a finger-prick blood sample) and send it to an accredited laboratory. The analysis is performed by a certified laboratory, just like with Labtest.nl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Self-test (rapid test)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to a COVID-19 test: you perform the entire test yourself and read the result directly from lines on the test cassette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article makes clear that risks are particularly associated with the latter category (3. Self-test rapid test<\/strong>) without laboratory<\/strong> analysis.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Why some self-tests are unreliable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

de Volkskrant quotes experts who indicate that many rapid tests for infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea without laboratory analysis<\/strong> are not sufficiently reliable. Both false-positive and false-negative results can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean in practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n