Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are on the rise in Oklahoma, particularly in the state's southwest region. The state ranked 16th in chlamydia rates and 6th in gonorrhea incidences as per the most recent reports. Comanche Country is the most impacted region in gonorrhea and chlamydia cases.
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Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardWhy Testing Matters?
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, the three most common infectious diseases transmitted through unprotected sex, having sexual relations with multiple partners, sharing needles/syringes, and skin-to-skin contact, are curable with antibiotics. However, still, a vast majority of cases go undiagnosed, and infected individuals remain untreated.
The primary reason behind low diagnosis and treatment rates and a rising number of STDs cases is a lack of awareness about STDs testing. If a person remains infected for long and appropriate treatment is not undertaken, they get exposed to chronic health conditions such as increased HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), infertility, stillbirth, miscarriages, certain types of cancer, ectopic pregnancy, and congenital syphilis in newborns.
Since the common STDs are generally asymptomatic, which means there aren't any visible symptoms until the person gets tested for STDs, most people remain unaware of their condition. The situation is far more concerning than you think because the infection can be easily passed on to their partners, which can increase the number of at-risk people. This is called an accidental infection, and it is one of the leading causes behind the growing STDs rates in Oklahoma.
That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all sexually active individuals must get tested for STDs annually. Sexually active females aged 25 or below need annual screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea, while pregnant women should get screened for syphilis. Teenagers must consent to STD testing.
Find a Lab
6717 S. Yale #104, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
Tel: 9184946874
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
533 N Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127
Tel: 9187477506
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
864 S Aspen Ave, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012
Tel: 9182591748
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
8901 S Santa Fe, Ste J, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73139
Tel: 4056312009
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
812 W Gary Blvd, Clinton, Oklahoma 73601
Tel: 5803238418
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
Offering FREE confidential HIV and Hep-C testing open to all.
228 S Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464
Appointment Required: Yes
Testing open to the general public. Walk-ins are welcome, but please call before to ensure a tester is on site. No specific eligibility guidelines for PrEP; anyone is able to come. Patients are responsible for all charges and the center accept most major insurances. If patient is uninsured, they...
711 Stanton L Young Blvd, Ste 430, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
Tel: (405) 271-6434
Appointment Required: Yes
Free condoms available.
2245 NW 39th St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
Tel: (405) 528-2210
Appointment Required: Yes
LCDA provides Patient Navigation for people living with HIV/AIDS to guide them through the health care system.
420 SW 10th St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73109
Tel: (405) 236-0701
Tel: (405) 236-0737
Appointment Required: Yes
Specialty Care is referred services by Bearskin Health Clinic for tribal members only. The Bearskin Health Clinic open to the general public.
1 Turtle Dr, Wyandotte, Oklahoma 74370
Tel: (918) 678-2070
Tel: (888) 864-0725
Appointment Required: Yes
Use our confidential STD symptom checker to get an idea of what STDs/STIs your symptoms align with and what STD tests are recommended to you.
Start Symptom CheckerWhich Method of STD Testing is Suitable for Me?
Every sexually active individual must protect their sexual health. Regular STD testing is the only way to care for your sexual health. However, sometimes it becomes confusing to select the right testing method as there are so many options available. For your convenience, we have gathered information about all available STD testing methods in Oklahoma. Check them out to find out which option is suitable for you.
This is one of the most popular ways to get tested for STDs today. These tests combine the best of both worlds for convenience and accuracy. You will order the test online at home, but you can walk into a professional lab testing center to get tested.
Another option is to simply visit your regular clinic and talk to your doctor.
If you do not want to visit a testing center, then a great alternative is an at-home test kit. You don’t even need to leave your house to get tested for STDs this way, which makes it the most discreet option. Everything is done through email and snail mail.
One last option for STD testing is a trip to a free clinic. If you go to a public STD-testing clinic, then you may get a free or discounted test, depending on your financial situation.
Learn more in our ultimate guide to STD testing.
It can be, but it does not necessarily have to be. What many people need to understand is that laboratory tests would most often than not be relatively pricey due to the technology that is being utilized behind these diagnostic techniques. However, opting for specific laboratories that offer more convenient testing procedures and discounted prices for diagnostic tests would help ensure that the price will not be much of an issue in providing you with the conclusive diagnosis of your condition. It might take some independent scanning to find the right testing center for you in the most acceptable price range, but it is not as impossible as many people make it out to be.
Considering that a wide variety of testing kits and laboratory procedures can be performed to determine conclusively whether you have a particular STD or not, the time that it will take for your results to return will also be subject to the same inconsistency. Although there are specific laboratories that could produce your results even by the end of the day (albeit, it is extremely rare for institutions to do so unless necessary), most would often take a few days to a week before the results are either delivered or posted online through your secure personal profile (in the case of online transactions). In addition to that, the capability of the laboratory performing the test may also contribute to the overall timeframe of result delivery – causing delays in cases where there are several requests or understaffed to provide expedited results.
For more information, skip to the FAQs section on this page.
Test Advisor
Know all about STD testing options, and the costs of different STD tests.
Oklahoma STD Data
Oklahoma ranked 10th in chlamydia infections in 2015 with over 542 cases per 100,000 people, whereas regarding gonorrhea, the state ranked 5th with 168.7 cases per 100,000 population. Teen birth rates and numbers are declining in Oklahoma. As per the statistics from the past five years, the state still lags behind other US states and has been recording one of the highest teen birth rates in the country. In fact, adolescents and teens report the highest number of STD diagnoses in Oklahoma. Furthermore, chlamydia rates were 2.4 times higher among women with over 761 cases/100,000 people than men, who recorded over 318 cases/100,000 people.
In 2017, the state reported an even higher rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. There was around a 7% increase in the number of reported chlamydia and gonorrhea cases compared to 2016, with a total of 31,779 cases and 29,716 cases, respectively. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) officials regarded this as an alarming increment in the number of STDs cases.
According to the OSDH, the most significant increase was reported in syphilis cases, as the department reported a 36.5% increase between 2016 and 2017. On the other hand, Oklahoma has observed around a 20% increase in gonorrhea cases.
As per CDC's STD surveillance report 2019, Oklahoma reported 10,491 gonorrhea cases at a rate of 266.1 cases/100,000 people. Conversely, chlamydia cases rose to 23,518, with 596.4 cases diagnosed per 100,000 people in 2019 compared to 2017 statistics. Regarding primary and secondary syphilis, Oklahoma reported 791 cases with a rate of 20.1/100,000 people. A concerning fact identified by the CDC was the increasing number of congenital syphilis cases, as Oklahoma reported a whopping 43 cases in 2019. Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in Oklahoma, followed by gonorrhea and syphilis.
According to the state health profile of Oklahoma by the Centers for Diseases Control, 2015, an estimated number of 39,393 people in the United States were newly diagnosed with HIV. According to the same report in 2015, a total of 319 adults and adolescents were newly diagnosed with HIV in Oklahoma alone. CDC ranked Oklahoma as the 27th state having the highest number of HIV diagnoses in the Country.
The Centers for Diseases Control further reported that in 2015, the state had a total of 319 newly diagnosed cases in both adults and adolescents. CDC has ranked Oklahoma as the 27th state for having the highest number of HIV positive individuals. According to the report from AIDSVu, in 2018, the number of cases in the state had slightly reduced, and the total number of new diagnoses in the state was estimated at 280. AIDSVu report indicates that in 2018 a total number of 6244 people were living with HIV/AIDS in the Country. In the same year, 280 individuals, both adults and adolescents, were newly diagnosed with HIV in Oklahoma.
According to the HIV epidemic plan by the government of Oklahoma, comparing the stats from 2013 to 2017, there has been a 12% decrease in the newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the state. Of the total numbers of diagnoses, male residents accounted for 84% of the new cases, while 16% of the cases were from females.
Reportedly, rural areas represented a slightly lower rate of chlamydia infections in Oklahoma with 30.3% of all diagnoses compared to the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) that reported around 38.5% of all cases. In 2018, around 21,974 chlamydia cases were reported in Oklahoma, out of which over 69% were diagnosed among females with 15,282 cases, whereas nearly 31% of all cases were detected in males with 6,692 cases.
The 20-24 years age group recorded the highest number of infections, with around 8,005 chlamydial infections or over 36% of all reported cases in the state. It must be noted that whites had the largest share of chlamydia cases, with 39.9%. However, whites aren't disproportionately impacted by chlamydia as per race or ethnicity.
A similar scenario is noticed regarding gonorrhea as MSA still has the lead in the number of cases, with close to 40% of all cases compared to rural areas. In contrast, Tulsa MSA reported 28% of all gonorrhea cases. In 2018, around 8,998 gonorrhea cases were reported, out of which over 50% were females with 4,556 cases compared to males who reported 49.4% of cases with 4,442 cases. The 20-24 years age group was the most impacted among all, with 2,461 cases overall and a rate of 27.4%. Moreover, whites reported 38% of all gonorrhea cases.
In 2018, around 531 primary/secondary syphilis cases were recorded in Oklahoma, and over 72% were among males with 387 cases, and 27.1% were diagnosed among females with 144 cases. Heterosexual contact was the most significant risk factor as it accounted for over 54% of primary/secondary syphilis cases reported in 2018. Regarding syphilis, the 30-34 years age group was the most impacted one with 108 cases, and whites had the highest number of cases with over 52% of all cases (279 cases). In 2018, around 342 non-primary/non-secondary syphilis cases were reported, out of which over 68% were among males and 31.8% among females. The 25-29 years age group was the most impacted with 59 cases (25%), and heterosexual contact was again the most significant risk factor with 52.9% of all cases.
According to the HIV epidemic plan for Oklahoma, comparing the data from 2017 to 2019, there was a decrease in the newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the state. As per the report, male’s cases were 84%, while 16% were females. Individuals from the Hispanic background experienced an increase of 104% from the total newly diagnosed cases. The Lawton Metropolitan area of Oklahoma had an increase of 117% in the newly diagnosed cases.
According to the data from AIDSVu, there were 280 people newly diagnosed with HIV in Oklahoma in 2018. Of the total number of newly diagnosed cases, 81.8% were males, and 18.2% were females. White Americans accounted for 42.9%, 17.1% of the newly diagnosed cases were reported from Hispanic and Latin background people, while 21.1% were Black Americans living in Oklahoma. On average, most cases were reported in people of the age group, 25 to 34 years (35%).
Data from the same report indicated 63 HIV related deaths in Oklahoma, while the rate of death per 100,000 population was calculated at 2. The most popular modes of transmission of the virus in males were male to male sexual contact (80.3%), followed by 4.8% from heterosexual contact and 7.4% from contaminated syringe use. In female categories, heterosexual contact accounted for 72.5% of the spread, while 27.5% of the cases were reported due to contaminated needles use.
HOPE Inc. is the organization responsible for conducting free and low-cost STD testing through statewide Equality Centers. Patients who test positive for STDs receive treatment doses for themselves and up to three sexual partners. Reportedly, 99% of patients who received the treatment didn't report re-infection within 90 days initial treatment period as per the OSHD.
The Ending HIV Oklahoma (OHHPC) is another important initiative in the state. It is basically an advisory body assisting the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Sexual Health, and Harm Reduction Service to promote coordinated STD/HIV Prevention and Care strategies. The state health department then submits the plan to the concerned authorities for implementation. Hence, the OHHPC plays a crucial role in carrying out the mission of reducing sexually transmitted diseases in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department offers a variety of prevention and treatment programs to reduce STDs in the state. From birth control and STD/HIV testing to the distribution of free condoms, the department offers a wide range of services. STI Clinics are also available throughout the state to increase access to STD/STI testing and treatment.
The State of Oklahoma has launched a program with two primary goals. One goal is to connect the newly diagnosed people with HIV to the HIV care providers within two weeks of the diagnosis and ensure that the individuals from the risk groups who were still HIV negative have access to a daily pill called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. The diagnosed patients with HIV would be given expedited linkages to medications, lab testing's, counselling and case management.
Rain Oklahoma is one of the nonprofit organizations working in the state to serve and support individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. This organization provides primary medical care for HIV patients, HIV testing facilities, and housing to low-income HIV affected individuals. Rain Oklahoma also creates awareness regarding the virus and provides education and outreach services.
Ryan White Plan B and AIDS drugs and assistance program, ADAP, are two federal initiatives that help HIV positive individuals belonging to the low-income groups by providing essential medication, case management, financial assistance and housing. These programs also fund several other organizations to provide counselling to the patients and their families.
How Does it Work?
Most people experience feelings of hesitation when going to get tested for STD, despite knowing they might have contracted one. EasySTD was created to change that.
Visit your nearest lab or clinic, order your home testing kit online, and follow the given instructions from an STD testing provider.
After ordering your STD test, visit the testing center to get tested or take a self sample including urine, cotton swab, or finger prick with the home testing kit and mail it back.
Receive the lab-certified results of your STD test from your test provider via mail or phone within 2 to 3 days. If the test comes positive, consult your doctor immediately.
Cities Nearby
Although NAATs are well-known for their accuracy and sensitivity in detecting most STDs, it is also subject to certain inconsistencies, especially in the case of herpes infections. In Herpes, outbreaks often result in a relative increase in the patient’s viral load – leading to a timeline that usually has specific peaks at certain intervals instead of a consistent rise in viral load throughout. As such, sensitive tests such as NAATs are still unable to accurately diagnose herpes conditions, especially in cases where the patient has recently become asymptomatic and is currently between outbreaks. Other tests such as culture testing and type-specific virologic tests are often employed instead as a confirmatory diagnosis for the patient’s condition.
It does vary on a case-to-case basis. Insurance policies are often particular with the instances that they would be covering with their program. Some may cover severe accidents, some may even consider “orphan disease,” and yes, some may also cover the expenses for performing STD diagnostic tests. However, considering that your insurance provider will have to verify the person's identity availing of the program, STD testing laboratories that employ a minimal collection of patient information may not accept insurance policies to prioritize privacy over affordability.
It would vary depending on the condition that is being tested. STDs behave differently due to the varying pathogenicity of each STD’s causative organism. In some instances, you can get accurately tested as early as two weeks following exposure, while some are intermittently inaccurate due to its recurrence (much like in the case of herpes infections). To avoid this, be sure to discuss the intricacies of the test with your physician to understand whether a particular test could provide you with a conclusive diagnosis or if it still needs another confirmatory test to establish its premise.
Yes. Certain companies offer at-home testing kits wherein you are the one that will collect the specimens necessary for the test at the comfort of your own home. Sure, it might sometimes be subject to errors due to the potential contamination of the sample from collection to transportation, but it does offer a great deal of privacy and convenience for patients who would prefer to have their identities hidden in fear that their community will judge them.
Depending on the test being performed and the testing physician's targeted diseases, various types of samples can be requested from you. In some instances, a minuscule blood sample of a few milliliters will be collected, some might ask for a urine sample, and others may opt for a genital swab. Again, the sample being collected will depend on the test being conducted and the outcome that is being targeted for this particular procedure.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
