Elizabeth Boskey, PhD
Sexually transmitted diseases, better known as STDs or STIs, are very common, putting you potentially at risk if you’re sexually active. And that’s true whether you’re young or old, straight or gay, male or female. How common are they? Well, that depends on the STD.
Here are a few of the most common conditions tracked by the CDC:
- Genital Herpes – More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have it.
- Chlamydia – Between two and three million new chlamydia infections happen annually. About one in every 20 young women between 14 and 24 have chlamydia. In some particularly high risk populations this number may be as high as one in 10.
- Syphilis – After dropping for many years, the rate of syphilis is again on the rise.
The vast majority of STD infections go unrecognized, sometimes for years or even decades since many people with STDs have no noticeable symptoms. The only way to know whether or not you have an STD is to get tested
Why Should You Consider an At-Home STD Test?
Since STD testing isn’t usually a part of preventative health care, people generally have to ask for it. Due to potential embarrassment on the part of both you and/or the doctor talking about sex and sexual risk as well as asking for a test or knowing about the latest tests, there’s a growing interest in at-home STD testing kits. Additionally some people are worried about their doctor or health insurer knowing about their sexual history, increasing their reluctant to seek out testing through the usual channels.
Be aware, however that not all at-home STD tests are the same. The most accurate at-home STD tests are the same tests you’d get in a doctor’s office except that you order them online. Then you go to a commercial laboratory and they take a urine sample and/or blood.
There are also at-home testing kits that allow you to collect your own sample of urine or saliva and send it into a company for testing. These tests are likely to be less accurate than lab-based testing. Both options are highlighted below so you can see which route you feel more comfortable taking.
OUR TOP PICKS
STDCheck.com – Lab-based testing
“This company has an option for HIV tests that can detect a new infection, and they also provide in-depth information about each STD they test for.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, early HIV, Hepatitis A, B & C
Time to Receive Results: 1-2 days
Cost: $24-$349
Additional Info: With STDCheck.com you choose which STD tests you’re interested in and order them online or by phone. That order is then sent to a lab near you, where you provide a urine and/or blood sample. This company has an option for HIV tests that can detect a new infection, and they also provide in-depth information about each STD they test for. You can use an FSA or HSA card to pay for these tests. A doctor is also available for you to consult with by phone.
Persona Labs – Lab-based testing
“Doctors consultations are available, and they will prescribe prescriptions to treat certain STDs.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, HIV-related, Hepatitis A, B & C, herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human t-cell lymphotropic virus
Time to Receive Results: 2-10 business days
Cost: $46-$522
Additional Info: This site offers more STD testing options than many other companies, but it is difficult to navigate. There is also relatively little information about STDs for which they offer testing. However, doctors consultations are available, and they will prescribe prescriptions to treat certain STDs.
HealthLabs.com – Lab-based testing
“With flexible payment options, you can use an FSA or HSA card to pay for these tests.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, early HIV, Hepatitis B & C, herpes type 1 and 2
Time to Receive Results: 1-3 business days
Cost: $129-$444
Additional Info: Like most lab-based testing companies, with HealthLabs.com you choose which STD tests you’re interested in and order them online or by phone. That order is then sent to a lab near you, where you provide a urine and/or blood sample. This company has an option for HIV tests that can detect a new infection, and they also provide good information about appropriate testing windows for all of their options. You can use an FSA or HSA card to pay for these tests. They have specialists who will help you understand your results, and physicians are available for a consultation if your results mandate it.
QuestDirect – Lab-based testing
“Using QuestDirect cuts out the middle man. Quest also offers confirmatory testing for several STDs, which reduces the risk of a false positive.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes simplex 1 and 2, HIV, early HIV, Hepatitis B & C
Time to Receive Results: Typically within 7 business days
Cost: $49-$379
Additional Info: Many other at home STD tests will send you to Quest for testing. Using QuestDirect cuts out the middle man. Quest also offers confirmatory testing for several STDs, which reduces the risk of a false positive. However, the STD testing information on their site is less comprehensive than many. In addition, this company does not connect you to a healthcare provider.
“Instead of just collecting urine and/or blood, they also have you collect a vaginal swab, throat swab, and/or rectal swab.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis C
Time to Receive Results: Within 7 business days
Cost: $150-$220; accepts insurance
Additional Info: Although self-collected samples aren’t necessarily as good as samples taken in the lab, NURX tests do one very smart thing. Instead of just collecting urine and/or blood, they also have you collect a vaginal swab, throat swab, and/or rectal swab. This makes it possible to test for oral and anal STDs that might otherwise be missed. Because of this, NURX tests might be a better option than some lab-based tests for individuals who have unprotected oral and/or anal sex. In addition, they provide unlimited access to a medical team.
MyLAB Box – Self-collected samples
“My Lab Box offers kits that allow you to self swab the mouth and rectum, not just test for genital STDs.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes, HIV, mycoplasma. PreP and vaginal discharge options available.
Time to Receive Results: 2-5 days
Cost: $79-$369, $499 for a couple’s kit, coupons available
Additional Info: Like NURX, My Lab Box offers kits that allow you to self swab the mouth and rectum, not just test for genital STDs. They also have several additional test options, such as a kit that provides tests for both parts of a couple, and tests to diagnose different causes of vaginal discharge. It has some information about each STD, but no good information about testing windows. Physician consults are available if you test positive, and it may be possible to get a prescription for treatment. Otherwise, a certified STD counselor is available, but not a physician.
Everlywell – Self-collected samples
“The Everlywell test kit uses different methodologies for testing men and women. Men are tested with urine and blood, women with vaginal swabs and blood.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, herpes, Hepatitis C, HIV
Time to Receive Results: Website says “within days”
Cost: $49-$199, coupons available
Additional Info: The Everlywell test kit uses different methodologies for testing men and women. Men are tested with urine and blood, women with vaginal swabs and blood. The site offers consults for positive results through their independent physician network and there may be options for treatment. You can pay for your tests using an FSA/HSA card.
LetsGetChecked – Self-collected sample
“A nurse will call you if you test positive to help you figure out what to do next. Nurses are also available to answer questions during the process.”
STD Tests Available: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, herpes, ureaplasma, gardnerella, mycoplasma
Time to Receive Results: 2-5 days
Cost: $99-$269, Let’s Get Checked is offering a 25% off coupon at least the next two years. Get 25% off with “VeryWell25.”
Additional Info: At-home tests like this, where you collect your own sample, are not as accurate as tests performed in an on-site lab. In order to use these tests you will be asked to collect urine in a sample tube and/or prick your finger for blood. LetsGetChecked laboratories are CLIA approved and CAP-accredited and use capillary testing; it’s a simple and painless method of blood testing that is as accurate as a venous blood draw.
Some collection kits for this company can also be purchased at CVS. A nurse will call you if you test positive to help you figure out what to do next. They are also available to answer questions throughout the testing process. Should you test positive with chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasma, gardnerella, or mycoplasma a nurse will send a prescription to the pharmacy of your choosing. Your data is never shared with a third party and it is completely anonymized. Doctor consultations are not available.
Prepared by Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, a sexual health educator for over 20 years, and fact checked by James Lacy as part of verywellhealth.com, a proud partner of The Cleveland Clinic.
