5 Best At-Home STD Test 2024: Are STD Test Kit Accurate?
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- Written by Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon, MD
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LetsGetChecked
- Self-collection test kits
- Test results within days
- Offers medical support
MyLAB Box
- Offers couples testing
- Self-Collection test kits
- Provides a broad selection of tests
15% Off: HEALTHCANAL
STDCheck.com
- Results in 1-2 business days
- Lab-based testing
- Early HIV detection tests are available
$10 Off On Your Order
If you want to test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) but do not want to go to the doctor’s office, home testing for STDs can be a great option.
With all of the testing kits on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. This article will discuss sexually transmitted diseases and help you determine if you should test at home and the best at-home STD test kit for you.
5 Best At-Home STD Test In (September. 2024)
- LetsGetChecked – Editor’s Choice
- MyLab Box – Best For Couples
- STDCheck.com – Fastest Results
- Priority STD – Best For Privacy
- EverlyWell – Best For Men
Can I Have An STD Test At Home?
Yes. You can take an STD test in the privacy of your own home. Home testing is especially beneficial for those lacking transportation or who prefer not to go to a doctor’s office for an std test.
Most home STD tests eliminate the need to visit a doctor for testing, and your sample collection kit will arrive in the mail. It is important to be aware that home-based STD testing kits will require you to go to an outside laboratory in person to submit samples.
Is STD Testing At Home Accurate?
According to the National Coalition of STD Directors[1], home STD testing is both safe and accurate. The CDC[2] also reports that established standards are in place under the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendment (CLIA) of 1988 to ensure quality laboratory testing.
However, all home std tests are not the same. Some off-brand companies claim to offer at-home STD rapid test kits with instant results that may not be as accurate as tests that go to an outside laboratory.
Test timing and an appropriate sample collection should be obtained as instructed to receive accurate results.
5 Best At-Home STD Tests Reviews 2024
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked STD tests come with easy-to-follow instructions, and prescriptions are available for treatment if results are positive.
- Self-collection tests
- CLIA certified
- Tests for 8 STDs
- Follow-up treatment included if you test positive
- Expensive
- Likely will not be able to speak with a physician
LetsGet Checked offers a variety of STD tests with easy-to-follow instructions. Costs range from $99-$249 depending on the test panel chosen. Collection methods include urine samples, blood samples, and vaginal swabs.
Results typically are back within 2-5 business days. A physician reviews all test results, and a nurse will call you with positive test results. If needed, prescription treatment arrives at your house free of charge.
Tests available for Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV, mycoplasma, and trichomoniasis.
MyLAB Box
15% Off: HEALTHCANAL
Mylab Box offers a wide range of home std tests for individuals and couples. Free physician consults are available if you receive a positive test result.
- Self-collection tests
- Couples tests available
- Physician consults available
- CLIA certified
- Expensive
MyLab Box offers a variety of comprehensive STD testing kits. You can choose from 5,8, and 14-panel tests ranging from $189-$399. Collection methods include urine samples, blood samples, and vaginal swabs.
If you and your partner both want to get tested, MyLab Box sells a couple’s STD test kit that tests for the most common STDs and offers 10% off individual kits. Mylab Box offers a free telemedicine physician consultation if you test positive.
Tests are available for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes, HIV
STDCheck.com
$10 Off On Your Order
STDCheck.com offers same-day std tests with rapid results in just 1-2 days. They also offer HIV Early Detection Test with detection as early as six days after exposure.
- CILA certified Lab-based testing
- Quick test results
- Early detection of HIV is available
- Transportation to a lab may be difficult
STD Check is a lab-based at-home test which means after you order your test online or over the phone, you go to an outside lab for sample collection. Though this may be difficult for some, it is generally more thorough when compared to testing at home.
They also offer early HIV detection from their HIV RNA Early Detection Test. The company has a speedy turnaround time, with results arriving just 1-2 days after obtaining the sample collection.
A comprehensive STD test panel costs 139$. If you want to add on the early detection of HIV, the price climbs to $258. Individual STD tests are also available, and prices range from $24-$99.
Tests are available for: Hepatitis A, B, and hepatitis c, HIV, herpes simplex type 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
Priority STD
Priority STD offers same-day STD testing at convenient locations across the country. Privacy is their number one goal, and the company uses a secure online server to send orders and results.
- CLIA certified Lab-based testing
- Test results are available online
- Privacy guaranteed
- May be difficult for those without transportation
- Likely will not get to speak with a physician
Rest assured knowing your information is kept confidential with Priority STD. Orders are never mailed or faxed to the laboratory to ensure all personal information is kept secure. Since orders quickly arrive at your lab of choice through a secure online platform, you can get your lab-based STD test the same day.
STD test results are also HIPPA compliant and will never be mailed to your house or sent to your primary care provider. The company name and anything related to STD testing will never show on your bank or credit card statement.
Though a physician reviews results, you will likely be contacted by another medical team member for treatment options. Medication can be sent to your pharmacy if you receive positive test results. A 10-panel comprehensive std test costs $198.
Tests available for Syphilis, herpes, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C
Everlywell
EverlyWell offers convenient home std tests for 7 of the most common STDs. If you receive a positive test result, you can discuss treatment options with a physician.
- Self-Collection
- Doctor consult if you receive a positive test result
- Results within days
- CLIA-certified labs
- Expensive
EverlyWell offers a comprehensive home std test that checks for 7 of the most common STDs in men and women. To be tested, women will need to submit both a vaginal swab and a finger-prick blood sample, and men will need to submit a urine sample and a finger-prick blood sample.
Although prices are a little expensive at $149 per kit, they also offer individual tests for $49 each. Test results arrive in just a few business days, and a doctor in your state reviews all tests.
If you test positive, you will have an opportunity to speak with a physician to discuss treatment options.
Tests are available for Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis
What Is An STD?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are very common. Approximately 1 in 5 [3] individuals in the United States have an STI.
Sexually transmitted diseases[4] are infections in sexually active individuals passed from one partner to another during sexual interaction.
STDs spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but a few STDs such as HPV and herpes may spread through direct skin-to-skin contact[4].
There are over 20 different types[4] of STDs that can affect both men and women.
Some of the most common[5] STDs include:
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Genital Herpes
- HPV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
- Trichomoniasis
If you are sexually active, it is crucial to have regular STD tests to get proper treatment promptly should you have an STD.
Now that we know the basics let’s dive in and discuss five of the best at-home STD tests on the market and how to choose the best test.
How To Choose The Best At-home STD Test?
In addition to the five STD test kits mentioned above, many other companies sell home STD testing kits. It is crucial to purchase your test kits from a reputable brand to ensure accurate results. Below, we will discuss how you can select the best std test kit for you.
While home std testing is easy and convenient, a doctor’s office is always the best place to get tested for STDs to ensure accuracy and proper treatment.
Although we have recommended our top five choices, there are other brands on the market and if you choose to go with a brand not listed above, there are few things you should consider before purchasing an at-home test kit.
The first thing you should make sure of is that the test is FDA-approved. To find out if your test of choice is FDA approved, you can visit their website. You also want your samples to go to CLIA certified labs.
You also want to be sure your privacy is taken into consideration and choose a company with a secure online system that is HIPPA compliant.
Lastly, be sure you choose an established brand with positive reviews and feedback.
Is An At-Home STD Test Right For Me?
If you are strictly looking for convenience and are just curious if you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, home test kits may be a good option for you.
As you are sexually active with multiple partners and have had one of these partners test positive, you are probably better off with an std test that requires you to get tested at a laboratory.
And if you are experiencing symptoms or want to be sure a prior infection has cleared, you should go to your doctor’s office.
Final Take
Sexually transmitted diseases are more common than most of us realize. If you are sexually active and fail to get regular testing for common STDs, it could cause long-term harm to your body.
While home testing is certainly an accurate method to check on your sexual health in the privacy of your own home, it is crucial to select tests from a reputable brand that is FDA-approved.
If you are experiencing symptoms or have known exposure to an STD, home test kits are not the best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional immediately to be sure you receive proper testing and treatment.
As soon as you become sexually active, you should get tested for STDs.
Depending on the specific STD you are testing for, you may be required to submit a blood sample via finger prick or a urine sample. Sometimes, specific tests may require a swab as well.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurances are required to pay for certain STD tests as a part of preventative care. At-home STD tests do not necessarily fall under this coverage making it important to speak with your insurance provider to find out what type of testing is covered or if reimbursement is offered for online tests.
+ 5 sources
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- At-home Self-collection Lab Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections National Coalition of STD Directors I. Background: Home-based STI Testing with Digital Health Support. (n.d.). [online] . Available at: https://www.ncsddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCSD-TA-Brief-Home-STI-Testing-Care-FAQ-v5.20.2020.pdf.
- Anon, (2021). About CLIA. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/clia/law-regulations.html.
- CDC (2021). STI Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates. [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm.
- Medlineplus.gov. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Diseases. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html.
- Anon, (2021). CDC – STD Diseases & Related Conditions. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm.
Written by:
Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
