6 Best At-Home STD Tests of 2024
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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:The best at-home STD tests offer discretion and results within days. Read on to learn how these tests work and what our reviewers thought of some popular options.
Share on Pinterest Quick look at the best at-home STD tests
If you’re sexually active, regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) is crucial protecting your health and the health of your partners.
While you can get tested at a doctor’s office or a clinic, at-home test kits offer another good option. Testing for STIs at home is convenient, discreet, and reliable.
Here’s some valuable information on at-home and private lab-based STD testing options, including our top picks.
Our picks for the best at-home STD tests
Best overall
Everlywell Sexual Health Tests
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
GET STARTED WITH EVERLYWELL*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Everlywell at-home STD tests are designed separately for males and females. Each package tests for six commonly transmitted STIs. The Everlywell STD tests for females let you test with just a finger prick and vaginal swab. Each purchase comes with:
The company has home tests available for:
Every Everlywell test is reviewed and approved by an independent board certified doctor in your state. If you test positive, Everlywell will connect you with their independent physician network at no additional cost to discuss questions and treatment options.
Everlywell also offers a membership plan for $39 a month ($33 a month if paid annually) that offers up to 56% off regular test prices, as well as a monthly credit toward any available Everlywell test.
What our tester says
Healthline editor Christy Snyder tried a couple of different products from Everlywell. The review of each product she used was different, but overall, she had a decent experience with the STD self-tests. She found it was easy to register her tests as the directions were straightforward. Snyder also warns that some at-home tests may require a big blood sample that people may not be able to fulfill. She recommends doing your own research before purchasing.
Healthline editor Christy Snyder tried a couple of different products from Everlywell. The review of each product she used was different, but overall, she had a decent experience with the STD self-tests. She found it was easy to register her tests as the directions were straightforward. Snyder also warns that some at-home tests may require a big blood sample that people may not be able to fulfill. She recommends doing your own research before purchasing.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for variety of tests
myLAB Box At-Home Sexual Health Tests
4.9 (61+) from myLAB Box
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
myLAB Box offers a variety of at-home STD tests, including:
The service also sells individual tests for each STD or STI. These allow you to get the answers you need without visiting a lab or spending money on copays to visit a doctor’s office.
Every package comes with a single-use collection kit, instructions, a specimen bag, and a prepaid return envelope.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for insurance
Nurx At-Home STI Testing
4.8 (26.5k+) from Nurx
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Although self-collected samples aren’t typically as good as those taken in a lab, Nurxensures accuracy by collecting fluids from various areas, such as a vaginal swab, throat swab, and rectal swab. This makes it possible to test for oral and anal STDs that might otherwise get missed.
Nurx offers three at-home test kits. You’ll also pay consult and service fees:
Insurance usually covers these tests, and Nurx will bill your plan directly (or you can pay out of pocket). With insurance, you’ll pay consult and service fees, plus applicable copays or deductibles.
Once Nurx collects your samples, they’ll bill your insurance directly for the cost of the lab test. Without insurance, see the rates for each kit above. These prices include:
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for professional advice
LetsGetChecked At-Home STD Tests
4.6 (16.1k+) from TrustPilotUse code “HEALTHLINE25" for 25% off
SHOP NOW AT LETSGETCHECKED*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Available at CVS locations across the country and covered by both flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs), LetsGetChecked is a convenient and accessible option for at-home tests and diagnostics.
They offer three types of tests:
LetsGetChecked tests require you to collect a urine and blood sample, depending on which test you select.
The service also includes a medical support team to answer any questions. If your STD results are positive, a nurse or physician will call you to explain your results and provide treatment options.
What our tester says
Freelance writer Breanna Mona tried the LetsGetChecked herpes home test. She found the testing setup easy and quick. Although the at-home STI test took about a week to arrive, the test process itself only took minutes to carry out. She had her results within 2 business days after returning the activated test by mail.
She said she would recommend the product for anyone looking for quick results at a middle-of-the-range price. “This brand has an easy-to-navigate process, clear instructions, and fast results,” she said. “It can be a satisfying process, especially for those who want fast results and prefer to skip a visit to their doctor.”
She added that the test is best for users who are not squeamish dealing with blood, as the test requires pricking your finger with a provided lancet and filling a tube with blood.
“Odds are that first-timers will need a few tries to get the hang of it,” she said. “The tube is skinny, and you have to position your bleeding finger just right so that the blood drops into the tube and not all over your workspace. It’s a delicate balancing act of working quickly but also staying patient and vigilant enough to massage your finger properly to work up blood flow and not minding some mess.”Freelance writer Breanna Mona tried the LetsGetChecked herpes home test. She found the testing setup easy and quick. Although the at-home STI test took about a week to arrive, the test process itself only took minutes to carry out. She had her results within 2 business days after returning the activated test by mail.
She said she would recommend the product for anyone looking for quick results at a middle-of-the-range price. “This brand has an easy-to-navigate process, clear instructions, and fast results,” she said. “It can be a satisfying process, especially for those who want fast results and prefer to skip a visit to their doctor.”
She added that the test is best for users who are not squeamish dealing with blood, as the test requires pricking your finger with a provided lancet and filling a tube with blood.
“Odds are that first-timers will need a few tries to get the hang of it,” she said. “The tube is skinny, and you have to position your bleeding finger just right so that the blood drops into the tube and not all over your workspace. It’s a delicate balancing act of working quickly but also staying patient and vigilant enough to massage your finger properly to work up blood flow and not minding some mess.”Pros & cons
Product details
Best for fast results
STDcheck Tests
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Quick, secure, and completely confidential, STDCheck․com is a lab-based at-home test. This means you order the test over the phone or online and then go to a facility for sample collection. With over 4,500 locations nationwide, STDCheck․com offers convenient access to testing.
Lab-based tests are typically more thorough than self-collected ones and often provide faster results, usually within 24 to 48 hours, compared to waiting for mail-in samples.
While you can order individual tests from $24 to $99, the company’s 10 Test Panel ($139) is their most comprehensive offer.
If you’re concerned about a recent exposure, you can add the HIV RNA Early Detection Test, which can detect an HIV transmission as early as 9 to 11 days after exposure.
Pros & cons
Product details
Most reputable
PrioritySTD Tests
*Price may vary.
Healthline's review
Though this is not an at-home testing service exclusively, PrioritySTD is one of the most reputable STD testing options. Most reviews say the tests are:
You can get same-day testing, same-day medications, and results in 24 to 72 hours.
You can purchase your PrioritySTD test privately, online, or over the phone. PrioritySTD has more than 4,000 labs across the country. After your testing, you can access your results online or by calling a care counselor. Treatment options are available as well.
Aside from individual STD tests, PrioritySTD offers the following STD panel tests:
The service complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and will not mail anything to your home or report anything to your healthcare professional.
Pros & cons
Product details
Comparing the best at-home STD tests
-PriceTests forInsurance acceptedMedicationResultsFollow-up guidanceEverlywell $69 to $169 basics*, hepatitis Cnoyes, through an online visit with a network clinicianwithin daysyes, if positivemyLAB Box$59 to $399basics*, MycoplasmaHSA/FSAyes, for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis2 to 5 daysyes, if positiveNurx$60 to $220 ($30 medical consult fee, plus any service fees and applicable copays and deductibles)**basics*, hepatitis Cyesyes7 business daysyesLetsGetChecked$89 to $249basics*, G. vaginalis, Mycoplasma, UreaplasmaHSA/FSAyes, at an additional cost2 to 5 daysyes, if positive, $39STDCheck$24 to $259basics*, hepatitis (A, B, and C)noyes, $951 to 2 daysyes, if positive, $95PrioritySTD$69 to $198basics*, hepatitis B and Cnoyes, for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis1 to 3 daysyes, if positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, $65*Note that we use the term “basics” to encompass chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, HPV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Other STDs tested are unique to that brand.
STI? I thought it was STD?
An STI is considered an STD when it causes symptoms. Usually, an infection is the first step to potentially developing a disease.
Not all diseases start as infections. But in the case of STDs, they do. In both cases, STIs and STDs are used interchangeably, mostly due to the stigma associated with the term “STD.” We also use these terms interchangeably throughout the article.
How we chose
There are many factors to consider when choosing an at-home STD test, which is why we turned to the experts.
Every product we recommend and brand we work with is thoroughly vetted by our team. If there are any lawsuits, recalls, or regulatory action letters documented about these products or companies, our vetting team makes sure they’re reported and listed.
In addition to legalities, our team always checks for medical credibility, good business practices, privacy practices and security, social impact, and the validity of any health claims a brand makes about a product. At-home testing services are required to abide by telehealth standards in the following circumstances:
Why STI testing matters
Both the CDC and the HHS pointed to an overwhelming recent surge in STDs:
Dr. Dhaval Desai, a physician board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and director of hospital medicine at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, emphasized the urgency of getting tested.
“STDs or STIs are still a major concern for public health,” he said. “These diseases are still spread. We want to encourage safe sex practices among our population and make sure people are aware of disease manifestations and symptoms.”
“Regular STD testing in sexually active persons is key in preventing sexual partners from becoming infected and spreading STDs,” said Dr. Gary Bucher, an anal health specialist who is the medical director and founder of Anal Dysplasia Clinic MidWest in Chicago. “Treatment of STDs is necessary to prevent health issues that occur with untreated STDs.
What do governmental agencies and doctors say about STD home tests?
Home tests for STDs are relatively new. You used to have to go to a clinic or doctor’s office to get tested. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted its first authorization for marketing a test using OTC sample collection for an STD other than HIV to the LetsGetChecked Sample 2 test for chlamydia and gonorrhea in November 2023.
At that time of the authorization, the FDA gave a green light to the future of at-home STD tests.
“This authorization marks an important public health milestone, giving patients more information about their health from the privacy of their own home,” said Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a November 2023 press release.
“We are eager to continue supporting greater consumer access to diagnostic tests, which helps further our goal of bringing more healthcare into the home.”
The doctors we reached out to for expert opinions, Desai and Bucher, agree about the convenience and anonymity that home tests can offer. However, they also point to potential downsides, including mistakes in collecting samples, unreliable results, privacy breaches, and lack of follow-up care.
“If there were to be a positive reading on a home test, the individual would still need to proceed to see a primary care or urgent care [clinician] for the best treatment and steps moving forward,” Desai advised.
Bucher pointed out that home kits are not available for all STDs. “Until home kits are available for a broad range of STDs and STIs, it is important that patients seek out primary care from healthcare [professionals] who are highly trained clinically and that prioritize patients’ privacy,” he pointed out.
Pros and cons of at-home STD testing
Pros
Cons
How to choose the right STD test for you
With dozens of at-home testing kits available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. After all, what does a reliable at-home STD test kit look like? What should it entail? What do you need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your needs will vary depending on your situation and circumstances. They may also change over time.
Some reasons you may be looking to test include:
An in-office test can be appropriate for any of these scenarios. A home-to-lab test may work well for most situations, but it’s still best to opt for an in-office test if you’re experiencing unusual symptoms or your current or recent partner has tested positive for an STI. A fully online test is best reserved for when you only want to test out of curiosity, but none of the other scenarios apply.
If you think you’ll need help determining results from your home STD test, taking an in-office test may be preferable. It’s an immediate source of information, and you can work with a healthcare professional to create on-site in the case of a positive result.
Be sure the test you choose is FDA-approved. You can check on the FDA website.
“I always tell my patients to look for clinically validated and processed tests through CLIA-certified labs,” explained Gleaton.
How do at-home STD tests work?
At-home STD tests arrive with all the tools needed to collect a sample, such as:
You might need to provide a blood or urine sample or perform a rectal, oral, or vaginal swab. It’s best to return the samples the same day you take them. The company then sends your test results to your online account, usually within 1 to 7 days.
While every STD self-testing service differs, most brands recommended here offer professional advice or support for reading your test results at home.
If you do a fully-at-home STD test, there’s a risk you’ll misinterpret your results. Lab-based tests can also be difficult to interpret without a medical background.
As such, it’s best to opt for a testing service where you can access a healthcare professional to discuss your results with you. They can help you interpret your results and advise on treatments and next steps.
Related at-home STD tests
The tests listed above check for a bunch of different STIs and STDs in one test, but if you want to test for a specific STI, consider these options:
When to talk with a doctor
You can talk with a healthcare professional if a partner has recently tested positive for an STD or STI or if you’re experiencing possible symptoms of an STI.
The CDC recommends STD screenings from a healthcare professional in the following cases:
If you have an STI but are experiencing more or worsening symptoms, like genital discharge or urinary symptoms, you can contact a healthcare professional to evaluate your symptoms further. They can help you with STI testing and treatment.
The CDC makes the following additional recommendations for screening for people who are sexually active:
Gleaton recommends speaking with a healthcare professional if you think you’ve been exposed to an STI, even if you’re not having symptoms.
“It’s crucial to catch STIs early and start treatment to avoid any long-term damage from the disease and to avoid passing it unknowingly to others,” she said.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if I have an STD without going to the doctor?
An at-home test may confirm whether you have an STD, but it’s important to contact a doctor if you have symptoms of a possible infection, such as:
An at-home test may confirm whether you have an STD, but it’s important to contact a doctor if you have symptoms of a possible infection, such as:
Are at-home STD tests accurate?
Most modern STD tests are highly accurate. Most home tests claim to be around 95% to 99% accurate, which is similar to the accuracy of tests done in a clinic or doctor’s office.
Urine tests for STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are typically accurate when conducted correctly. However, the accuracy can vary based on factors such as the specific STD and the timing of the test in relation to potential exposure.
Test accuracy can also vary depending on the type of sample and the test detection method.
Traditional in-office tests are more accurate than fully online tests, and home-to-lab tests are more accurate than self-collected tests. But all are highly efficient.
Following the test instructions precisely and consulting with a healthcare professional for result interpretation is crucial for accuracy.
Most modern STD tests are highly accurate. Most home tests claim to be around 95% to 99% accurate, which is similar to the accuracy of tests done in a clinic or doctor’s office.
Urine tests for STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are typically accurate when conducted correctly. However, the accuracy can vary based on factors such as the specific STD and the timing of the test in relation to potential exposure.
Test accuracy can also vary depending on the type of sample and the test detection method.
Traditional in-office tests are more accurate than fully online tests, and home-to-lab tests are more accurate than self-collected tests. But all are highly efficient.
Following the test instructions precisely and consulting with a healthcare professional for result interpretation is crucial for accuracy.
Does insurance cover STD tests?
Most insurance plans cover the cost of STD tests, as these are considered preventive and covered under the Affordable Care Act. But whether your plan covers a specific STD test depends on several factors, including your:
Also, the coverage of at-home tests varies.
To learn more about your specific options, you can talk with:
You can also find free or low cost STD testing sites across the country.
Most insurance plans cover the cost of STD tests, as these are considered preventive and covered under the Affordable Care Act. But whether your plan covers a specific STD test depends on several factors, including your:
Also, the coverage of at-home tests varies.
To learn more about your specific options, you can talk with:
You can also find free or low cost STD testing sites across the country.
Is there an over-the-counter test for chlamydia?
Yes, there are OTC tests for chlamydia that you can purchase at pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, or online. One example is the Simple 2 Test from LetsGetChecked, which is the first FDA-authorized test with at-home sample collection for any STD other than HIV. These STD home tests typically involve collecting a urine sample or a swab from the genital area and then sending it to a lab for analysis. However, it’s important to ensure that any test you choose is FDA approved and provides accurate results.
Yes, there are OTC tests for chlamydia that you can purchase at pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, or online. One example is the Simple 2 Test from LetsGetChecked, which is the first FDA-authorized test with at-home sample collection for any STD other than HIV. These STD home tests typically involve collecting a urine sample or a swab from the genital area and then sending it to a lab for analysis. However, it’s important to ensure that any test you choose is FDA approved and provides accurate results.
Takeaway
Testing for STDs and STIs regularly is important.
Testing can help prevent the transmission of STIs. It can also help you get the appropriate treatment options if you have a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, as many STDs and STIs can be treated or cured.
Contacting a doctor or other healthcare professional is generally the most reliable way to know whether you’ve contracted an STI or have an STD. But an at-home test is an excellent alternative. For many, an at-home test is a confidential and convenient option.
Posted : 2024-08-29 10:49
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