About At-Home STD Tests

Purpose of at-home STD tests

The purpose of at-home STD testing is to determine whether a person is likely to have an STD. Positive results indicate the need to follow up with a medical professional for treatment and/or additional testing.

What do the tests measure?

At-home STD tests detect the presence of specific STDs. Each STD requires a different laboratory test, so it’s important for people to make sure that the at-home testing kit they’re using is designed to detect the appropriate STD.

Some STD tests look for the genetic material, or DNA, of the bacteria, virus, or parasite that causes the STD. Other tests detect viral proteins, called antigens, or antibodies that are produced by the body in response to an STD infection. Examples of at-home STD tests, the necessary test samples, and what each test measures are listed in the table above.

How do at-home STD tests work?

At-home STD tests are mailed to your home for self collection, or you may have the option to visit a local lab for assistance. You or the lab will send the sample to a certified lab for testing. Most STD test results are returned within a week, often faster than that. If you test positive, at-home testing companies may offer support with physician followup and prescriptions.

Which at-home STD test should you choose?

Many at-home STD kits allow users to choose between different STD panels, each including a different set of tests. For example, a standard panel of STD tests may include testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. A complete STD panel test may include a standard panel, plus testing for herpes and three types of bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma).

Benefits and Downsides of At-Home STD Tests

At-home STD testing is different from being tested for STDs by a medical professional. Benefits of at-home testing include:

Convenient: At-home STD testing allows people to screen themselves for STDs without making a medical appointment or leaving their home.
User-friendly: Test kits are designed to simplify the testing process, often providing detailed instructions and pre-paid labels to mail samples to a laboratory.
Upfront pricing: Testing companies often provide clear pricing for at-home STD tests. There are usually no unexpected fees for at-home tests.

Downsides of at-home testing include:

Follow-up appointments needed: Although most at-home STD tests are considered accurate, some at-home test results need to be confirmed by a medical professional. Follow-up may involve additional laboratory testing.
Potential for errors: While kits offer detailed instructions, there may be increased risks of errors and contamination when collecting the sample.
Results without a doctor: Although some at-home tests can connect you with a medical professional over the phone, with an at-home STD test you won’t have your doctor immediately available to answer questions or begin treatment.
May not be covered by insurance: You typically have to pay for at-home tests out-of-pocket, although some at-home STD tests may be covered by health insurance.
Not available in all states: Current regulatory requirements limit the availability of some types of at-home STD tests in certain U.S. states.

The Best At-Home STD Tests

There are many different types of at-home STD tests available, and it’s important to consider what type of STD testing you’re looking for when selecting an at-home STD test. The following sections provide information about top picks for at-home STD testing:

Methodology

At-home STD tests were reviewed based on value, convenience, and availability of tests. These overall factors are based on data including price, insurance acceptance, comprehensiveness of tests, and how quickly you can get results and speak to a doctor. STD test selections have been screened by Testing.com’s Medical Review Board.

Best Overall STD Test
Let’s Get Checked

Price: $149 (Get a 25% discount)
Type: Self-collection
Sample: Blood, urine
Tests for: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis
Results timeline: Within 2 to 5 days of sample receipt

Let’s Get Checked offers a simple STD test that screens only for chlamydia and gonorrhea for $99. Or you can do the most comprehensive test, which provides a complete STD panel, screening for eight different STDs, including gardnerella and mycoplasma, and costs $249. You can get a 25% off discount here. A subscribe and save option is also available that lets you have kits mailed to you every three, six, or 12 months for a discounted price. Let’sGetChecked accepts FSA and HSA payments.

Please contact UPS to arrange a pickup before you collect your sample. You should collect your sample on the same day as the pickup is scheduled for. Visit the UPS pickup scheduling page or call 1-800-742-5877 to schedule a pickup to return your sample. You’ll be asked to provide some information including your tracking number, address, and pickup day and time. Please keep your tracking number to help you monitor your package.

You get your results on LetsGetChecked’s personalized online dashboard, which highlights any abnormal results and provides a detailed breakdown, including factsheets and next steps. If a result does come back abnormal, you’ll be contacted by a registered nurse who can walk you through next steps and arrange for medication, if needed.

Those who test positive for an STD qualify for a virtual consultation with a doctor, which costs $39. This consultation is required to receive a prescription for medication that treats the disease. If you test positive for a disease that LetsGetChecked can’t provide treatment for, a nurse will walk you through the next steps.

Best for Privacy
myLAB Box

Price: $169 (save 20% with code: Testing20)
Type: Self-collection
Sample: Blood, urine, vaginal swab
Tests for: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, trichomoniasis
Results timeline: Within 2 to 5 days of sample receipt
myLAB Box STD tests are available to anyone age 14 or older, which is important given many STD rates are highest among adolescents and young adults. This test uses a blood, urine or vaginal swab sample, which you then return in a prepaid envelope.

If you test positive, you’ll be given instructions on how to access your free telemedicine follow-up consultation. Depending on your infection and state regulations, the physician may be able to prescribe medication for you to pick up at your local pharmacy.

Reviewers point out how fast and easy the sample collection process is, saying it “only took minutes to collect samples” and was much more convenient than going to a local lab. One reviewer writes, “The whole process (from) start to finish was really fast. Instructions were easy to follow. Doing the test in your own home, and not having to answer personal questions, or sit in a waiting room makes it the perfect way to get tested.”

While myLAB Box doesn’t accept health insurance, you can pay with your HSA or FSA card. Note that just because myLAB Box accepts the card for payment, it doesn’t mean your plan covers at-home STD testing. It’s best to check with your plan provider before paying.

Best for Insurance
Nurx

Price: $150
Type: Self-collection
Sample: Blood, urine
Tests for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis
Results timeline: Within 7 business days of sample receipt

Nurx’s basic test uses a finger prick and urine sample, although for added thoroughness, you can opt for an additional throat and rectum check in their Full Control Kit, which costs $220 out of pocket or about $75 with insurance. You’ll get a collection cup and urine tube, which you’ll need to transfer your sample to using the provided dropper.

If you test positive, the Nurx medical team will help you determine the appropriate next steps, be it medication or meeting with an in-person health care provider. For $15, you can get unlimited access to Nurx’s medical team to discuss the test or your results. Note that Nurx’s medical providers are not licensed in all 50 states. To check for licensure in your state, you can review the list of providers by state here.

Reviewers appreciate the convenience and cost-saving benefits of getting to use their insurance. One reviewer notes, “The ease with which I was able to use my insurance from the comfort of my home to order birth control and an STI testing kit, as well as the speed with which both were shipped and results provided, was stellar.”

Interpreting At-Home Test Results

Generally, results from at-home STD testing show whether the substance measured by the test was detected in the sample. If the substance was detected, this is reported as a positive test result.

Talking to your doctor is the best way to understand what an STD test result means for your health. Important considerations related to the results of at-home STD testing include:

Positive tests require follow-up: A positive STD result on an at-home test requires follow-up with a medical professional.
Tests don’t detect recent STD exposure: Depending on the type of test, it can take days, weeks, or even months for an infected person to test positive. For this reason, a negative result does not rule out an STD infection if the test is taken too soon after potential exposure.
Tests should not guide behavior: High-risk behavior should be avoided regardless of whether a test result is positive or negative.
Regular screening may be necessary: Age, gender, health history, and number of sexual partners can affect what to test for and how often. It’s important to talk to your doctor about how often to be tested for STDs.
Testing may cause anxiety: Getting the results of at-home STD testing can cause anxiety. Consider reaching out to your doctor, a mental health professional, or a support organization to get support for the emotional impacts of testing.