The Best At-Home STI Tests to Buy Online Now

By Emily Lemon On Apr 1, 2022

With great sex comes great responsibility, and that responsibility includes regular STI screenings. Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, refers to any condition that can pass from person to person through sexual contact. STIs are incredibly common, especially if you have multiple partners and/or unprotected sex.

Men, in particular, may not be aware that they have an STI because many conditions, such as chlamydia, may not present any symptoms. However, that doesn’t mean that STIs aren’t affecting your long-term health. Having an untreated STI not only increases your risk of passing the infection onto others, but it can also lead to infertility in any sex.

The significant health consequences of inaction are all the more reason to be proactive when it comes to STI screenings. According to urologist and pelvic surgeon Dr. Rena Malik, at-home STI tests are extremely useful for anyone that’s sexually active.

“At-home tests are a great way for people to get tested and screened for sexually transmitted infections, many of which are easily treatable,” says Dr. Malik. “These tests offer access to patients who might not have a primary doctor or desire increased privacy.”

While your general practitioner can test for STIs at your annual checkup, if you think you’ve been exposed or want to test for STIs on a regular basis, at-home STI tests provide a convenient and confidential way to test in the comfort of your own home. These at-home STI testing kits typically screen for one or more STIs using a urine sample, a blood sample or both. Instead of going to your doctor to collect the sample, you take the sample at home and mail it to a lab. The lab will process the sample and get you results in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

“In a doctor’s office, depending on which STI you’re testing for, you’ll typically give a urine and blood sample and sometimes maybe a genital swab during an examination,” says Dr. Malik. “Most of these at-home tests do offer access to medical professionals who can answer questions, who will review your results and link you with care if you turn out to be positive.”

Routine STI testing is important for anyone that’s sexually active. Whether you’re in a monogamous relationship or playing the field, it’s always better to be on the safe side and test regularly in order to avoid those long-term health complications. STIs are not a lifelong sentence—many are treatable with early detection, and medications are available to help manage the symptoms of any others.

Looking for the best at-home STI tests to save you from having to make a trip to your doctor’s office? We’ve rounded up our favorites for fast and easy STI screenings below.

Best At-Home STI/STD Tests

Everlywell exclusively specializes in at-home testing, including COVID and STI testing. This easy-to-use for six sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Plus, the results are reviewed and approved by an independent board-certified physician within your state. Everlywell also provides resources and tips should you find out you’ve tested positive.

Read more: STI Symptoms That Affect Your Body

Home STD Testing with Treatment Included

Get testing and treatment in one small package with this at-home kit. It comes to your door in discreet packaging to avoid any awkward encounters with nosy neighbors or roommates. You get your results in as little as 2-5 days after sending in your sample, and if you do test positive, Let’s Get Checked will also prescribe you with approved common treatments at no extra cost.

This 10-test panel is a comprehensive STI testing package available at an affordable price. You can also get results quickly—as little as 1-2 days. If your results come back positive, STD Check provides you with a doctor consultation to go over treatment options. This is a great annual STI test to ensure you have all your bases covered.

Read more: Common STI Symptoms

One sample is all you need to test or the eight most common STIs with this kit from myLAB Box—no appointment, office, or lab visit necessary. The sample collection is over in five minutes or less and you can look forward to results in two to five days.

Full Control Home STI Test Kit

With Nurx, the cost of an at-home STI kit is as low as $75 with insurance. That includes test kit, the lab work, and free shipping both ways. Nurx also offers ongoing medical care whether you test positive or not for optimal sexual and overall health.

Can’t remember the last time you get tested? You might want to consider this 10-panel STI test. It checks for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV 1 and 2, herpes 1 and 2, syphilis, as well as hepatitis B and C. The panel is quick, private and affordable, and will give you the peace of mind you’re looking for when it comes to your sexual health.

Quest Diagnostics operates one of the largest networks of testing sites and laboratories in the country. Many at-home STI kit brands actually send your samples to Quest labs for processing. Skip the middleman and go straight to the source by ordering this basic test panel, which screens for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Once you get your results, you’ll have the option to talk with an independent physician about your treatment options.

NextMed gives you the option of at-home testing or scheduling a same-day visit at one of their 5,000 partner locations. The at-home test is more discreet, while the same-day visit will get you your results faster. The tests are HSA and FSA-eligible, with out-of-network reimbursement up to 70 percent.

If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, this affordable test offers fast and confidential answers in as little as 1-3 days. The CVS 4th generation HIV test can be taken just one month after a risk event and is the most accurate of the available HIV testing methods. This test detects the presence of both antibodies AND antigen, which is considered the gold standard of HIV testing. All lab fees are included with this kit, so you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for.

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