Getting an STD test can be daunting if you have never done it before. But it doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, you may be surprised by how fast, easy and affordable it can be.
There was a time when you had to schedule an appointment at the doctor’s office to get an STD test and then wait a week or more for your results. Thankfully, those days are behind us.
On this page, we introduce you to all your options for getting tested quickly and discreetly. With an at-home or online STD test, you can get accurate results in as little as 24 hours and receive a free consultation from a doctor.
In the comparison table below, you can see how these new testing methods compare to STD tests at traditional doctors’ offices and public clinics. You can then read on to explore all of these options in-depth and find out exactly how and where to get tested for STDs today.
This is one of the most popular ways to get tested for STDs today. You order the test online, but you walk into a testing center to get checked. STDCheck.com works this way (read our compehensive review here or see current prices here).
These tests combine the best of both worlds when it comes to convenience and accuracy. You order the test at home, but you take it in a professional lab setting. This reduces the likelihood of errors.
STDCheck.com offers unparalleled convenience and accurate testing using FDA-approved methods. Right now, the company is offering a special promotion.
See Current Prices & PackagesYou can order your test within minutes without leaving the house.
This form of testing is private and discreet.
Online STD testing is cost-effective.
Even though you do need to visit a testing center, in most locations it should be easy to find one near you.
You do not need to wait or book an appointment. Testing takes minutes.
If you do have a positive result, some companies will follow up with you. STDCheck.com lets you call in for a free consultation with a doctor. Sometimes you can get your prescription written right over the phone.
You do have to leave your house for the actual testing.
You may not find tests for every single disease. STDCheck.com for example does not seem to offer a Trichomoniasis test.
If you do not want to visit a testing center, a great alternative is an at-home test kit from a company like myLAB Box.
See more: myLAB Box review.
You never even need to leave your house to get tested for STDs this way, which makes it the most discreet option. Everything is done through internet and mail.
If you want to order an at-home test kit which is FDA-approved, affordable, and discreet, go with MyLAB Box. Click below to order now and claim your discount.
See Current Prices & PackagesFDA-approved testing means accurate results, so long as you follow the instructions with care.
You can gather your samples within 5 minutes. Order online, collect them, send them back, and wait. There is nothing more to it. This is arguably the most convenient method for STD testing.
Your discretion is ensured.
Within just a few days, you will hear back about your results.
Accuracy is high if you correctly follow the directions. But there is less control over your home environment than a professional testing center, so accuracy may be lower than it is with walk-in tests.
It takes a few more days to get your results.
Another option for getting tested for STDs is simply to visit your regular clinic and talk to your doctor. You already probably know how this works. But let’s go over it anyway.
You can talk to your doctor right away abut your concerns. Your doctor is familiar with your records and knows you, which may provide some useful context.
An STD test from your local clinic should be accurate, assuming you trust the lab the clinic uses.
This is the most expensive way to get tested. Instead of spending under $200 for a comprehensive panel, you might spend $2,000.
This is also one of the slowest ways to get tested. Especially in rural areas, it is common to wait weeks to see a doctor, and then weeks again for test results.
There is nothing confidential about getting tested this way.
Getting tested at the clinic is inconvenient. It involves scheduling, driving, waiting and hassles.
Many people find visiting the doctor’s office for STD testing embarrassing.
One last option for STD testing is a trip to a free clinic. If you head to a public STD testing clinic, you may be able to get a free or discounted test, depending on your financial situation.
You can see why we do not advise a visit to a free clinic or your doctor’s office for STD testing. The doctor’s office is expensive, and both options involve a lot of hassle.
You might not have to pay for STD testing. Obviously if you are on a tight budget, this can be a significant benefit.
Accuracy should be high. A public health clinic using a professional lab can provide you with accurate results.
Testing is not always free. In some cases, you might get a single free test, and then have to pay for the rest.
You may not be able to use the clinic at all. Some free clinics are only available to low income customers. If you are above the income ceiling, they may not even serve you.
The process is not discreet.
Extensive waiting could be involved. Free and low-income clinics are notorious for extremely lengthy wait times. You could end up sitting in the waiting room for hours waiting your turn—and then find yourself waiting weeks again before you find out whether you have an STD.
It can be inconvenient to drive to the testing center and back. You might also feel embarrassed.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!