What you need to know
- Anyone can contract an STI through sexual activity involving the mouth, genitals, or anus. Regular testing is important since many STIs can be treated with medication, but untreated STIs can lead to serious complications.
- The Food and Drug Administration has approved at-home STI tests for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and HPV.
- You can get at-home STI test kits online and at some pharmacies, health clinics, and health departments depending on where you live. Most test providers will get you your results within a week.
This year, federal budget cuts are forcing many Planned Parenthood health centers to close. As some communities lose access to local sexual health services, at-home testing for STIs makes getting a diagnosis more accessible, which supports treatment and limits infection spread.
Read on to learn how to test for STIs at home, what to do if you get a positive test result, and more.
What are STIs?
STIs—sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs—are infections that anyone can contract through sexual activity involving the mouth, genitals, or anus. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Some common STI symptoms include:
- Bumps, sores, or warts on or near the genitals, mouth, or anus.
- Swelling, pain, or itching on or near the genitals.
- Painful or frequent urination.
- Genital discharge, bleeding, or odor.
Many STIs are easily treated with medication. However, if left untreated or unmanaged, some can cause long-term and even deadly complications.
Some STIs won’t cause symptoms, but they can lead to complications later on.
Which STIs can I test for at home?
Many at-home STI tests are available, and while experts believe that most tests provide accurate results, only a few are approved by the FDA.
The FDA has approved at-home tests for syphilis and for HIV that anyone can use. An FDA-approved, at-home vaginal swab for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis is also available. Currently, any California resident with a cervix between ages 25 and 65 can also test for HPV (human papillomavirus) at home using the FDA-approved Teal Wand, which is expected to be available nationwide next year.
Who should consider at-home STI tests?
Testing for STIs at home may be right for you if you are unable to go to a doctor’s office or health clinic that offers sexual health services or if you feel more comfortable testing yourself in a private space.
Even if you take an at-home test, you may need to schedule an appointment with a health care provider for treatment and prevention recommendations.
At-home STI tests are “a great way to expand our reach of sexual health services to patient populations that have a hard time getting to sexual clinical services, but they don’t stand alone,” said Dr. Robert A. Pitts, an infectious disease specialist at NYU Langone Health, in an April New York Times article.
Free or low-cost STI tests are still available through local community health centers and public health clinics. Find a location near you through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s GetTested site.
How do I test for STIs at home, and when will I get my results?
At-home STI testing typically involves collecting a sample of a bodily fluid and mailing it to a lab. Your test instructions may direct you to urinate in a sealable cup, prick your finger to get a drop of blood, or swab your mouth, genitals, or anus.
Most test kits include a prepaid envelope addressed to a lab so that you can mail in your samples.
Check with your test kit provider to find out when you can expect your results. Most kits provide results through an online portal within a week. However, if you’re using an at-home rapid HIV test, you’ll see your result in about 20 minutes.
Where can I get at-home STI tests?
You can purchase at-home STI tests without a prescription at some pharmacies. Many are also available online.
You may also be able to pick up at-home test kits from your local health clinic or health department.
How much do at-home STI tests cost?
Without insurance, the price of at-home STI test kits can range from $10 to $250. Health clinics may provide free or low-cost kits for low-income individuals.
Some health insurance plans cover at-home STIs tests. Contact your insurance to learn more.
Together TakeMeHome offers free at-home HIV test kits via mail for anyone 17 and older living in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Some state-specific programs also offer free at-home STI tests.
What should I do if I get a positive test result?
If you receive a positive test result, see a health care provider right away for treatment. Remember that it can take days or even months for some STIs to show up on a test, so even if your tests are negative, retesting regularly is recommended, even if you don’t have new sexual partners.
Talk to your health care provider for more information and to find out how often you should test for STIs.