Types of At-home STD Testing

There are two types of at-home STD/STI tests: self-collection and lab-based tests.

Self-collection tests

After receiving their test kit from an online provider, people can take the STD test with all the tools provided by the company. A typical at-home STD kit is shipped directly to your door in discreet packaging, and will include materials for collecting a sample at home and shipping it to a lab to be tested.This may include needles, tubes, alcohol swabs, and a prepaid envelope, among others.

An individual might need to take a blood or urine sample, or a rectal, oral, or vaginal swab, depending on the STD test. They can then return their sample to a testing center.Samples are checked in a laboratory for evidence of the bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause STDs. Most at-home tests will send you your test results online within a few days.Most STD test kit providers work with licensed and certified labs and abide by HIPAA standards. Many offer supplementary medical support, sexual health resources, and nurse hotlines, as well as follow-up services like prescriptions and referrals.

Some pharmacies also sell at-home tests over the counter. If you want to avoid waiting for shipping, you can also check out the home test options at your local pharmacy.

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Lab-based tests

With lab-based tests, individuals receive a lab sample order and present it to a testing facility, where a healthcare provider performs the test.Before you buy the test, locate the lab nearest you. Remember that you will need to visit the lab to take the test.After you buy it, you’ll receive a lab requisition form. You will need to show this form or provide some other unique identifier when you go to the testing center.

At the testing center, present your lab requisition form. You won’t be required to provide identification. A healthcare professional, such as a nurse, will take the required sample. This might include a blood or urine sample, or an oral, rectal, or vaginal swab.Once you take the test, you don’t need to do anything else. The laboratory staff will ensure your samples are labeled and submitted.Most online-to-lab tests offer access to the results online within a few days.

The Pros and Cons Of At-Home STD Testing

The 10 Best At-Home STD/STI Tests of 2024

1.Everlywell

—Best subscription service for STD tests

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis C, HIV

【Price】$49 to $149,Tax Day Sale: 20% off orders up to $179 and 30% off orders $179+ with code REFUNDYOU at checkout.   

【Time to Receive Results】Within days

Everlywell provides at-home lab testing kits with beautifully designed results. The platform empowers consumers to order, self-collect, and understand their own physician-approved lab tests with the goal of improving health and reducing risk of future disease.

EverlyWell offers a comprehensive home std test that checks for 7 of the most common STDs in men and women. To be tested, women will need to submit both a vaginal swab and finger-prick blood sample, and men will need to submit a urine sample and a finger-prick blood sample.After mailing the sample to one of its FDA-approved laboratory and CLIA-certified testing facilities, people may receive their results on the company’s website.

Everlywell’s tests reportedly feature 99% accuracy and If you get a positive result, they’ll connect you with independent board certified docs in your state to talk about treatment options and answer questions at no additional cost.

Everlywell has a pretty sweet membership program in which you can receive one test of your choice each month for $24.99, plus 20 percent off any additional tests you want to order. This kind of program is an amazing way to stay on top of your sexual health without constant visits to the doc.

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2.LetsGetChecked

—Best for medical support

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis，HIV，Syphilis，Gardnerella，Mycoplasma，Ureaplasma

【Price】$99 to $249,They offer 3 different types of tests:

• Simple 2 ($99): This test checks for chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most common STDs.
  

• Standard 5 ($149): This includes the tests in Simple 2, along with tests for trichomoniasis, HIV, and syphilis. This is their most popular STD test and uses a finger prick and urine sample.

• Complete 8 ($249): This checks for all the tests of the Standard 5, and it also includes testing for Gardnerella vaginalis, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. This uses finger prick and urine testing methods.

【Time to Receive Results】2 to 5 days

LetsGetChecked is a highly respected at-home testing company that receives high ratings in terms of Value, Accuracy, Privacy, and Customer Support.Available at CVS locations across the country and covered by both FSA and HSA accounts, LetsGetChecked is a convenient and accessible at-home tests and diagnostics company.

LetsGet Checked offers a variety of STD tests with easy-to-follow instructions. The LetsGetChecked website also offers video tutorials that walk you through the process of preparing the test kit, collecting samples, and packaging the kit with a prepaid shipping label.

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 certified and CAP and ISO-accredited and use capillary testing; it's a simple and painless method of blood testing that is as accurate as a venous blood draw. 

LetsGetChecked is an excellent option if you need medical support. LetsGetChecked has a medical support team that can answer any questions you may have about your at-home STD test results. When there is a positive result for chlamydia, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (caused by gardnerella), mycoplasma, or ureaplasma, Let's Get Checked can send your agreed upon treatment directly to your home at no additional cost. Your data is never shared with a third party and it is completely anonymized.

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3.STDCheck.com

—Best for fast results

【Type of Testing】Lab-based tests,>>find a lab

【STD Tests Available】Herpes I & II, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Oral Herpes, Genital Herpes, HIV 1 & 2 Antibody(4th Gen) , HIV RNA Early Detection, Syphilis

【Price】$24 to $259

【Time to Receive Results】1 to 2 days

STDcheck.com is the industry-leading online STD testing provider.Their 4,500 nationwide STD testing centers are convenient locations that test for a multitude of conditions, so no one there will know what you are there for. They abide by the HIPAA Privacy Rule, so your medical information stays safe. They safeguard your data with industry-standard encryption. Your STD testing process is guaranteed to be private and reliable.

Because there's no waiting for a kit to be mailed back and forth, STDcheck provides super speedy results. All you need to do is place your order online and visit a lab near you whenever you can — you can even go the same day. It a great option if you need fast results.

STDcheck's 10-panel test screens for the 10 most common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV (types 1 and 2), herpes (types 1 and 2), and hepatitis A, B, and C. And if you’re concerned about a potential recent HIV exposure, they offer the only FDA-approved HIV RNA early detection kit, which can detect antibodies in as little as 9 to 11 days after exposure.

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4.myLab Box

—Best for couples

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, HIV, HPV, Mycoplasma, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis，PreP and Vaginal Discharge options are available

【Price】$59 to $399

【Time to Receive Results】2 to 5 days

myLAB Box is the first and only nationwide at-home STD testing service. Featured in: Forbes, Vice, Bustle, LA Times, Oxygen, Amazon Launchpad, Target.com, Walmart.com, Alley Watch.The company sells various tests online, including STI tests.

myLAB Box offers a variety of different at-home STD testing kits and provides tips on selecting the right test kit for you. myLab Box also prioritizes LGBT health and provides information and resources that are specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender customers.All kits come with easy instructions, return shipping envelopes, and free consultations for positive results. The biggest downside is that they’re a little pricey — so it might be cheaper to go to your doc if you have insurance. 

Once you have collected the samples and placed them in their discreet, prepaid packaging, they can be mailed to one of myLAB Box’s CLIA-certified labs for testing. Secure electronic results are available as soon as 2-5 days later.Mylab Box offers a free telemedicine physician consultation if you test positive.

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5.Nurx

—Best for self-collection and using insurance

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis

【Price】$150 to $220, or as s low as $75 with insurance

【Time to Receive Results】Within 7 days

Nurx is a telehealth company that offers a wide range of services, from birth control to STI testing and just about everything in between. Because the company is basically an online doctor, you'll have to cough up all your personal deets, including a photo ID.

Nurx offers three at-home test kits to choose from:Healthy Woman Kit,Basics Covered Kit,Full Control Kit. To make self-collection as accurate as possible, NURX has you collect a vaginal swab, throat swab, and rectal swab along with a blood or urine sample. This method allows for testing for oral and anal STDs that might otherwise be missed. Once Nurx collects your samples, they'll bill your insurance directly for the cost of the lab testing. 

It's a great option if you have insurance but don't love going to the doc or you're just too busy to do the whole appointment thing. The company not only accepts insurance but also prescribes medication and offers generous follow-up care.But if you just want STI test results FAST while remaining incognito, this may not be the best option.

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6.QuestDirect

—Best STD test for pregnant people

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C，HIV，Syphilis, Trichomoniasis【Price】$49 to $379

【Time to Receive Results】3 to 5 days

QuestDirect provides detailed instructions for users to collect samples and all the necessary tools and equipment for collecting. Once a sample is collected, you mail it off to be examined, and within 3 and 5 days, your results will be available on QuestDirect's mobile app, MyQuest.The service also claims that its laboratories have certification with CLIA and the College of American Pathologists.

QuestDirect is the best option for women who wish to become pregnant because they offer an STD Pregnancy Panel.This test screens for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and common STIs in the genitals, rectum, and throat and is recommended for women who are trying to become pregnant.

Quest also offers confirmatory testing for several STIs, which reduces the risk of a false positive. However, the STI testing information on their site is less comprehensive than many. In addition, this company does not connect you to a healthcare provider. 

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7.Priority STD

—Best for privacy

【Type of Testing】Lab-based tests, >>find a lab

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia，Gonorrhea，Hepatitis B and C，Syphilis，Herpes I/II，Trichomoniasis，HIV 1/2，HIV RNA Early Detection，Herpes Early Detection

【Price】$59 to $198

【Time to Receive Results】1 to 3 days

Priority STD Testing, a division of Priority Lab Testing, is a national provider of trusted and confidential STD testing services. Simply order your test online and stop by one of their 4,000+ neighborhood locations at your convenience. Their procedures are swift and non-invasive and most patients are in and out in under a half hour.

Priority STD is serious about keeping it discreet. The company will never mail you anything, and the charge will show up on your credit card statement as “SFHT.” The tests are also reasonably priced.Priority STD is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), so they will not mail anything to your home or report anything to your healthcare professional. You can purchase your Priority STD test privately, online, or over the phone. Priority STD is the best at-home STD testing kit if you prioritize privacy. 

Their testing processes are approved by the FDA and all testing analyses are conducted in CLIA certified facilities, so you can be confident that your results are complete and conclusive.

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8.HealthLabs.com

—Best for multiple payment options

【Type of Testing】Lab-based tests, >>find a lab

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis, HIV, early HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Herpes type 1 and 2

【Price】$99 to $349

【Time to Receive Results】1 to 3 days

HealthLabs.com has been offering customers affordable lab testing online since 2015. The online lab testing provider works with thousands of trusted CLIA-certified lab locations across the United States, making inexpensive laboratory testing a convenient option for those who are without insurance, who have high deductibles, want confidentiality, and/or whose doctors won't prescribe them the lab testing they want to have done.

With HealthLabs.com, you can use FSA or HSA cards to pay for your at-home STD test kit. You can also choose which STD tests you’re interested in and order them online or by phone; the order is then sent to a lab near you, where you would provide a urine and 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 choices. They have specialists who will help you understand your results, and physicians are available for a consultation if your results mandate it.

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9.PersonaLabs

—Best range of STD tests

【Type of Testing】Lab-based tests, >>find a lab

【STD Tests Available】Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Syphilis, HIV, HIV-related, Hepatitis A, B & C, Herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Human t-cell lymphotropic virus

【Price】$46 to $522

【Time to Receive Results】2 to 10 business days

Persona Labs offers more STD testing options than many other companies,but it is difficult to navigate. There is also relatively little information about STIs for which they offer testing. However, doctors consultations are available, and they will prescribe prescriptions to treat certain STIs. Personalabs offers lab-based home STI testing, with the help of around 2,300 lab testing centers across the U.S.

After purchasing a home test kit, people receive a requisition order that they may have to present at the testing center. Once they provide a blood sample, they generally receive their results within 2–10 business days.

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10.OraQuick

—Best HIV STD test

【Type of Testing】Self-collection tests

【STD Tests Available】HIV

【Price】$38.99 for 1 kit

【Time to Receive Results】20 to 40 minutes

OraQuick offers an at-home HIV test kit that only detects antibodies after 3 months of exposure to the virus.This is the only at-home oral HIV test with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source.

The test kit includes a test stick that people use to swab their upper and lower gums. They then insert this into the test tube and read the result within 20–40 minutes.

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Free STD/ STI Testing

You can also find free or low-cost STD testing sites across the country.A free STD clinic can be a great place to seek affordable care.Fortunately, locating a free STD clinic near you doesn't have to be hard. Most free STD clinics are run by your local town or county health department.Often, the simplest way to find free STD testing near you is to simply call your local health department.

People in the U.S. can also search in this CDC database to find free tests nearby.

Certain foundations and nonprofit organizations also provide free testing. For example, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation offers this in more than 28 locations nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Have An STD Test At Home?

Yes. You can take an STD test in the privacy of your own home. Home testing is especially beneficial for those lacking transportation or who prefer not to go to a doctor’s office for an std test.

Most home STD tests eliminate the need to visit a doctor for testing, and your sample collection kit will arrive in the mail.  It is important to be aware that home-based STD testing kits will require you to go to an outside laboratory in person to submit samples. 

Are at Home STI Tests Accurate?

Most companies work with CLIA-certified labs, which means that ideally, tests would be as accurate as in-person screenings. However, test accuracy varies depending on the type of sample collected and the test detection method.

As always, at-home kits should never replace regular medical checkups, and it’s a good idea to follow-up with your regular healthcare provider and seek medical attention if your results contradict the symptoms you’re experiencing.

How Often Should I Get Tested?

The CDC recommends that adults and adolescents ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once a year as part of their routine health check-up. If you have more than one partner, share needles, don’t always use a condom, aren’t monogamous, or have reason to believe your partner isn’t monogamous, it’s a good idea to get tested every 3 to 6 months.Pregnant people should be tested for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV.

However, if symptoms arise, you shouldn’t wait. The quicker you’re tested, the sooner you can begin treatment.

Are STD Tests Covered by Insurance?

Most at-home testing kits aren’t covered by insurance. To use insurance, you’ll have to go through a telemedicine service like Nurx. Other companies may accept FSA/HSA payment.

When Should I Use a Home STD Test?

Home STD testing is appropriate for anybody who believes they may have been exposed to an STD through unprotected sex, who has never had an STD screening before or who is in a high-risk group for whom annual STD testing is recommended. Home STD testing may also be appropriate for people for whom getting to the doctor or a health clinic is inconvenient, as the tests can be sent directly to you.

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