As the need to monitor and prevent sexually transmitted diseases and infections increases, sexually transmitted testing kits are becoming increasingly popular. The advantage of these kits is that they are convenient, easy to use, and non-invasive. The best STD testing services allow you to collect a sample yourself, mail it in, and quickly receive confidential results online. If you’ve ever had sex, here are some tips for getting tested for STDs.
Price: $99-$269
At home: Yes
Results: 2-5 days
LetsGetChecked is one of the most popular STD testing services in the United States. Known for its accuracy, LetsGetChecked manufactures its kits in accredited facilities and uses world-renowned, certified labs. Doctors individually review the results to ensure accuracy.
LetsGetChecked also makes it easy and convenient to get tested for STIs. You can order a kit with home delivery and receive it the next day. Samples are collected in the privacy of your home, and LetsGetChecked even includes return shipping. Best of all, you’ll get your results within 2 to 5 days.
Plus, LetsGetChecked has medical professionals you can talk to 24/7. So if your STD test comes back positive, there’s someone there to help you cope and take the necessary steps.
Pros
- Multiple tests and packages
- Next-day and prepaid delivery
- Fast results
Cons - Can’t test all STIs individually
- Not available in Australia or New Zealand
Price: $57.50 to $499
Take home: Yes
Results: 1-5 days
As the name suggests, myLAB Box is a convenient way to get tested for STIs at your own pace. You can get tested for almost anything, from general well-being and nutrition to serious STIs, fertility, and more. myLAB Box offers individual tests and multi-test packages, and its prices are very competitive (sometimes half the price of competitors).
myLAB Box gives you access to a network of doctors who can help with your diagnosis. Or, if you prefer to speak directly with your family doctor, myLAB Box has a handy PDF file that you can print and take to your doctor. Even more convenient, myLAB Box partners with medical professionals who will provide free treatment if your results change.
- Free same-day treatment via telemedicine
- Affordable testing and packages
- FAS/HSA cards accepted
Cons - Outdated website
- Only available in the US
Price: $20 to $109 per test
At-home: No
Results: 24-72 hours
Priority STD is a leading STD testing company offering fast and reliable results for a wide range of STDs, including herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. With over 4,000 testing locations nationwide and no pre-registration required, you can get your Priority STD test the same day you order it. These labs are fast and provide results in as little as 24 hours.
They are HIPAA compliant, and all Priority STD tests are completely confidential. Results are sent to a personal online account accessible only to you, and no information is shared with your healthcare provider, mailed to you, or billed to Priority STD. Priority STD also offers treatment options for patients who test positive, with most medications available the same day.
Pros
- Fast turnaround times (24-72 hours)
- Completely confidential
- Same-day testing and medication
Cons - No at-home testing option
- Dual panel test only
Price: $24-$349
At-home: No
Results: 1-2 days
STDcheck.com is one of the fastest ways to get your STD test results. You can get tested the same day you order, collect a sample in 5 minutes, and get your results in 1-2 days. Unbelievable speed for this industry. And since you don’t need health insurance or health insurance to work with STDcheck.com, everything is completely confidential. The company also partners with over 4,500 labs across the United States. So there’s always a lab conveniently located near you.
STDcheck.com has 10 test panels that cover all the major sexually transmitted infections and diseases, including HIV types 1 and 2, herpes types 1 and 2, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. In addition, STDcheck.com includes hepatitis A, B, and C, which are excluded by most standard STD tests. S
Pros:
- 5-minute test, results in 1-2 days
- Same-day testing available
- Testing at certified labs
Cons
- No at-home option
- No saliva test option
Price: From $99-$269
At-home: Yes:
Results in 2-5 days
LetsGetChecked is one of the most popular STI testing kit services in the United States. Known for its accuracy, LetsGetChecked manufactures its kits in accredited facilities and uses world-renowned certified labs. Doctors review the results individually to ensure accuracy.
LetsGetChecked also makes it easy and convenient to get an STI test. You can order the kit for home delivery and receive it the next day. Samples are collected in the privacy of your home, and they even pay for return shipping. Best of all, you’ll receive your results within 2-5 days.
Plus, LetsGetChecked has medical professionals you can talk to at any time of the day or night. So, if you get a positive result on your STI test, there is someone available to help you cope with the news and take the necessary steps.
Pros:
- Multiple tests and packages
- Next-day delivery and prepaid shipping
- Fast results:
Cons: - Not all STI tests can be performed individually
- Not available in Australia and New Zealand
Price: From $75 – $235
At-home: Yes:
Results in seven days:
The best thing about Nurx is that it makes critical medical evaluations, procedures, and treatments affordable and accessible to everyone. You can get services like birth control, genital herpes treatment, and STI testing with or without health insurance, without the hassle of asking your doctor for a lab test order.
After answering basic questions about your health, a medical advisor will review your history and write a prescription or order the tests you need. It’s much more discreet than going to your doctor, making Nurx a good solution for those who value privacy. It’s also a good option if you don’t have health insurance, as Nurx will mail you a kit, regardless of your situation.
Pros:
- Extensive information on the website
- Affordable access to important tests and treatments
- Full medical staff for greater accuracy and support
Cons - Not available in many states
- Medications available to anyone without a doctor’s consultation
Price: From $39-$99
Take at home. Yes:
Results in five days:
Everlywell is one of the most well-known STI testing services. Many use these at-home kits because they are more affordable than most of the competition. Additionally, EverlyWell’s results are highly accurate. Everlywell also offers a free consultation for customers to discuss their results with a qualified medical professional.
Everlywell’s reports are detailed and offer valuable information about your overall health and sexually transmitted infections and diseases. You’ll receive an STI test sent directly to your home for easy and private sample collection. You can return the sample by mail using the prepaid envelope included in your kit.
Pros
- Accurate results:
- One of the most affordable STI tests
- Detailed reports and analysis
Cons - Available in 47 states
- Tests included in the STI kit are not available individually
Price ranges from $24-$499
No take-home pay
Results in 1-3 days
HealthLabs offers a faster and more confidential way for Americans to get tested for STIs. With over 4,500 CLIA-certified labs nationwide, anyone can walk into a lab and get tested. All tests are performed anonymously, ensuring privacy. And because the entire ordering process is online, you can log in the same day and get your STI test instantly (if you fast for the test). No one else can access the results; only you can see them. HealthLabs prioritizes privacy.
You can get your results within 1 to 3 days, and HealthLabs also offers a 110% satisfaction guarantee. You can get a variety of tests, from basic hepatitis panels to a comprehensive HIV test and more. HealthLabs offers individual tests, complete panels, and kits to make testing for many STIs more affordable.
Pros:
- Fast results:
- Over 4,500 CLIA-certified labs
- No insurance or referral required
Cons: - No in-home option
- No insurance accepted
What is an STD Test, and Who Needs It?
An STI test is one of several types of tests performed to determine if you have a sexually transmitted infection or disease (STD). Each STI requires different types of tests. Some require a blood test, others a saliva sample, a urine sample, or a genital swab.
It is recommended that any sexually active person, especially if they have multiple partners, get tested for STIs.
This is the general advice of health professionals around the world. However, there are specific guidelines regarding STI testing for each specific STI. Here are some essential rules to keep in mind if you are sexually active.
Get tested annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea if:
- You are a woman 25 years old or younger
- You are over 25 years old and have multiple sexual partners
- You are a man and have sex with men
- You currently have HIV
- You have been forced into non-consensual sex
It is recommended that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Everyone born between 1945 and 1965 should be tested for hepatitis C, as they are at high risk.
In addition, anyone who has multiple sexual partners, uses intravenous drugs, is pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or is a sexually active bisexual or gay man or has been forced into sex should get tested for STIs.
Where Can You Test for an STD?
STIs are spreading rapidly. Fortunately, today, STI testing is available in several forms, including:
- Doctor’s Offices
- Clinics:
- At-Home:
A clinic is one of the fastest ways to get results. You visit one of the STI testing clinics, provide your sample, and wait for the results. Many people feel uncomfortable with this or don’t have one nearby.
Alternatively, you can ask your doctor for an STI test. It’s more convenient because they’re your primary care physician. However, most people feel even more uncomfortable talking to their primary care physician about STIs than to a lab technician. Therefore, this can discourage many people.
The most convenient and comfortable option is at-home STI testing. You take the sample in the comfort of your home, mail it, and receive the results online. Therefore, it is much more private. No one, not even your roommates, needs to know.
What STD Test Kit Should You Get?
The right STI test kit for you depends on the type of sexually transmitted infection you’re looking for. There are kits available for specific diseases. This will be more convenient and cost-effective.
Make sure the STI test kit you order covers the disease(s) you’re looking for. Also, look for a kit that has an online customer portal. This will allow you to access your test results online through a private channel. Only you have the password, so only you can see the results. This is a faster and more confidential way to get your results.
How Long Do STD Tests Take?
Getting an STI test is quick and painless. If you do it at home, it takes seconds. Take the swab, blood, or urine sample, and you’re done. If you get it done in an office or clinic, you’ll need to consider travel and the wait until one of the technicians sees and treats you. This can take a long time, depending on the center’s attendance.
Getting your results also varies depending on where you get tested for STIs. Clinics will usually mail your results to you. Online results, on the other hand, are much faster. You can receive your results within 2 to 5 days, depending on the STI testing service you use.
How Much Does STD Testing Cost?
The cost of STI testing varies depending on several factors, including your location, the type of test you’re getting, where you’re getting tested, and, of course, whether your health insurance covers them. Individual tests can cost around $99, while packages that detect multiple STIs cost between $119 and $275, depending on how many tests are included in the package. If you plan to get more than one STI test, it’s a good idea to order a multipack, as it will be much cheaper than getting each one individually.
