You can test for STIs at home. But should you do it?

Get tested for Sexually transmitted infections may seem complex, confusing, or embarrassing, but at-home STI testing can make the process easier and more private. Getting tested is important. STDs are more prevalent than a decade ago, with 2.2 million infections reported in 2024, according to the Center for Disease Control. Today, there are many testing alternatives for people reluctant or unable to visit a doctor or clinic. But while these tests can be convenient, they aren’t right for everyone. We break it all down below.

Home testing is nothing new. You can take at-home medical tests for everything from Covid-19 to drug tests to hormone levels or food sensitivities. You can examine your gut, your blood, or even your DNA. At-home STI tests use blood samples, urine samples, and/or samples taken from the vagina or rectum to detect whether or not you have a sexually transmitted infection. You will collect these samples with swabs, finger lances and/or cups. Depending on the test, you will either send your samples by email while waiting for the laboratory results, or you will process them at home in a dedicated device. These tests typically cost between $100 and $400.

“At-home STI tests can be just as accurate as those done in a doctor’s office when used correctly because they often use the same laboratory testing methods,” says Dr. Shannon Chatham, medical director of an online health care company. Strand. Chatham says the key to accuracy is carefully following collection instructions and using tests performed by reputable, FDA-approved or CLIA-certified companies.

Dr Kate McLean, chief medical officer of a home testing company Evvyagrees that at-home tests can match lab accuracy since the underlying technology is the same, but cautions that if you get a positive result, the next step will still put you in contact with a healthcare professional: “A positive result should be combined with a care conversation to understand next steps.” »

What can they test?

You can self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, depending on the test you purchase. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are easier to test for at home; Viral infection tests for diseases like herpes, hepatitis, and HIV are more reliable if done in a doctor’s office.

You can purchase home tests for herpes or HIV I and II, but because these STIs have specific incubation periods and symptoms, they are not necessarily recommended for routine testing unless you have specific concerns or symptoms.

Most available home tests can detect several sexually transmitted diseases. Some tests include follow-up visits, in person or via telehealth services, if you test positive.

As an example of what is available, sex toy manufacturer Lady also offers at-home tests to check for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. You can choose between tests that sample urine or a vaginal swab, or get a three-site kit that adds an oral and rectal swab. Dame’s tests arrive in a discreet box. You collect samples and send them to the lab using prepaid mail to get results in approximately three to five business days.

Another test comes from Everlywella company that sells at-home tests for everything from detecting colon cancer to thyroid function. I used and was impressed with the company’s STI testing kit. The packaging is discreet, the instructions are easy to follow, and the results appear on your phone in 30 minutes. It’s similar to an at-home Covid-19 test, but it checks for three common STIs. It even came with a tea bag to sip on while I waited for the machine to analyze my sample. My results were negative, but if I had tested positive, I would have been connected with a telehealth provider to discuss treatment options.

The benefits of at-home STI testing

Home STI testing kits are convenient, especially for common STIs. You can order them online (in some cases, even from Amazon) or pick them up at a local pharmacy. You can take the test whenever you want, in the privacy of your home, without needing to make an appointment. Some tests even provide results in 30 minutes or less, which can be helpful if you find yourself recently single and want to responsibly participate in hookup culture, even if your doctor has a two-week waiting list for appointments. (Note that these rapid-result tests are currently only available to people with vaginas.)

“At-home STI testing can be a great alternative to professional sexual health screening,” says Sofie Roos, licensed sexologist and relationship therapist. “It’s always much better to buy a home kit than not to test yourself at all!”

If you’re the type of person who gets nervous or disgusted at the doctor’s office, you may find that taking your own samples doesn’t scare you as much as someone in a white coat doing it.

Depending on where you live and your transportation situation, at-home STD testing may be more accessible than visiting a clinic or making a doctor’s appointment. And you can pay for them out of pocket, which might be a better option depending on your health insurance.

Finally, and unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections are stigmatized. You shouldn’t be ashamed to check your sexual health—far from it, in fact—but home tests might be a better option if you’re worried about what others might think.

The disadvantages of at-home STI tests

At-home STI tests are expensive. Depending on your specific healthcare situation, they may be more affordable and many are FSA and HSA eligible or may be covered by insurance. But if you live in an area where free testing is offered by your city or state health department, or by a third-party clinic like Planned Parenthoodthese options will likely be much cheaper than at-home testing.

There is also the risk that your samples will be collected incorrectly, which can lead to false negatives. Depending on the test you choose, if you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, you may still need to see a doctor in person to get it treated. Although many tests are reputable, it’s still important to make sure the lab analyzing your results is well-regulated (and that the test itself is from a reputable company). “It is important to follow the kit instructions exactly and collect the sample correctly while avoiding contamination. You should also follow the warnings and avoid factors that can interfere with the results, including improper storage of the kit or use of certain products within the last 48 hours,” says Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Chief Medical Officer at Visby Medical.

Your individual health status and timing may also impact the accuracy of at-home tests. For example, if you are on your period or have recently used antibiotics, these variables can affect the quality of samples you can collect. A healthcare provider can take these things into account and adjust your testing protocol accordingly.

If the situation is urgent, such as you have physical symptoms that cause concern, you are immunocompromised, you are pregnant, or you know you have been exposed to an STI, it is important to see a health care provider rather than trying to treat your illness at home. “I always recommend that people who have symptoms or know they have been with someone with an STI consult a sexual health professional to be completely sure, as a false result from a home kit can fool you into thinking you are fine and therefore ignore or overlook the symptoms,” says Roos.

If privacy is an issue, it might actually be more beneficial for you to go to a routine doctor’s appointment rather than leaving the packaging for an STD test in the trash. And if you think you might test positive for something, it might benefit you to hear that news from a health care provider rather than finding out while opening the mail in your kitchen. This is something that is important to think about before deciding to test at home.

Whatever path you take, it’s important to be responsible, both to yourself and to your sexual partners.

Meet the experts

• Dr. Shannon Chatham, medical director of Strand
• Dr Kate McLean, Chief Medical Officer of Evvy
• Sophie Roos, licensed sexologist and relationship therapist
• Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Chief Medical Officer of Visby Medical

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