Here Are Your STI Testing Options if You Can’t Get an Appointment With Your Doctor Because of Coronavirus

With the coronavirus pandemic still raging on, people are starting to do more things from home than ever. While telehealth may have previously been something you never really considered, it’s become more and more popular for folks who wanna get non-life-threatening checkups done virtually.

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While at-home STI testing has been around for a while now (some Planned Parenthoods introduced it as early as 2015), it’s def becoming a more and more popular option for people who don’t want to physically go into an office to get an STI screening. And just a reminder: just because people are home more now, doesn’t mean STIs are just going away. The WHO says more than one million new cases of STIs are acquired every day, and some of these STIs can cause very painful symptoms, so it makes sense that you’d wanna get things taken care of ASAP.

Luckily, there are still options for you—ones that don’t even require that you leave the comfort of your home: at-home STI/STD testing kits. And yes, if used correctly, they can be just as accurate as your doctor’s office would be (since most of them use the same lab services anyway).

Nurx

Best for: Anyone who hasn’t been tested for STIs in more than a year (or ever) and just wants a no-rush, STI check up.

How it works: The Nurx kit comes with everything you need to collect a urine sample (which tests for genital gonorrhea and chlamydia), throat swab (which tests for oral gonorrhea and chlamydia), rectal swab (which tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the rectal region), and a finger prick blood card (which tests for syphilis and HIV). You mail the kit in within 48 hours of collecting the samples, and within seven business days, someone gets in touch with you.

What it tests: HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and Hepatitis C

Added benefit: Includes unlimited messaging with someone on the Nurx medical team about your tests or results. Buy Here

Planned Parenthood At-Home Testing:

Best for: Those who don’t have insurance, are looking to keep costs down, and or would like a telehealth appointment at the same time.

How it works: At-home testing options vary by region, but generally you’ll first have a telehealth appointment with a provider, who will then mail you an at-home STI test kit. Look up “planned parenthood [your state or region] at home sti testing” to get a better idea, or call up your local Planned Parenthood. As an example, here’s what the at-home STI process looks like for Massachusetts, the St. Louis region, and Northern New England.

What it tests: This may vary by region and availability, but the above examples test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

Added benefit: Access to Planned Parenthood’s expert providers during your telehealth visit and know that anyone you speak to about your test results is a pro in the field of STI testing. Buy Here

MyLab Box

Best for: Helpful consultation.

How it works: You request a specific test from its website (it offers a whole slew of tests, including herpes and syphilis as well as comprehensive tests for couples) and then once you’ve provided the sample, you send it back to the 100 percent lab-certified CLIA High Complexity lab in a prepaid protective package. Then, two to eight days later, you can review your results by logging in to your profile online.

What it tests: Its most popular STI kit, the Uber Box, tests for herpes, HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis—and it’ll put you out $269. It also offers other STI bundle boxes (ranging from $189 to $369) and individual STI tests starting at $79.

Added benefit: MyLab Box offers same-day free phone consultations with its affiliated physician network and STI experts to provide guidance and treatment options in the event that you test positive. Buy Here

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EverlyWell

Best for: Accessibility.

How it works: Order one of the tests at its website (you can also pick one up at Target or CVS stores nationwide). Depending on the test, you may need to provide one or two of the following samples: a dried blood spot, a urine sample, or a vaginal swab. Once you mail back your sample, you should receive results within five days. Customers who test positive for an STI will be contacted by EverlyWell’s independent physician network, who can offer a free consultation with a doctor, a prescription, or a treatment.

What it tests: EverlyWell’s STI test checks for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis for $199. Single STI tests are also available for $39.

Added benefit: It also offers tests for your general wellness (think thyroid, your metabolism, vitamin D levels, etc.) to monitor all facets of your health. Buy Here

Private iDNA

Best for: Your wallet.

How it works: The iDNA test works just like the tests from EverlyWell and MyLab Box. You order a specific testing kit from its website and then follow the instructions for the required sample. A few days after you’ve sent off the sample, you can see your results online. The main difference is that iDNA only provides lab results. You’ll need to consult with a doctor afterward should your test come back positive.

What it tests: The Complete Test Kit—its most popular offering—screens for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis C at a price tag of $198. For one specific STI test, you’ll probably pay between $68 to $98, depending on the test.

Added benefit: iDNA offers one free retest after a positive result (plus shipping and handling). Buy Here

LetsGetChecked

Best for: Urgency.

How it works: It promises that the kit of your choice will arrive at your house the day after you order it online. Which is fast! Then you collect your sample and return it using the prepaid shipping label. The nice thing is that the LetsGetChecked clinical team will give you a call when your results are ready (which should be within two to five days) so that they can walk you through everything and prescribe antibiotics if needed. After that, your results will be released into a secure online account and can be accessed at any time and/or shared with your primary care provider.

What it tests: Opt for its most popular Standard 5 Kit, which tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis for $179. Other bundles are available for purchase and will cost you between $99 to $299.

Added benefit: The price includes delivery, analysis, follow-up, and, if required, the prescription for a positive STI test too. Buy Here

SamedaySTDtesting

Best for: Feeling like a doctor’s office without being a doctor’s office.

How it works: You have the option to call the company directly at 877-721-2679 and speak with a sexual-health advocate, or you can visit its website. The sexual-health advocate will evaluate your symptoms, and if they believe you have been exposed to anything besides chlamydia or gonorrhea of the throat and/or rectum, they’ll set you up with the recommended test at your local Quest Diagnostics the very same day. If they think you need to be tested for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, a specimen box will be discreetly sent to your home. After you collect the specimen (as in, swab the infected area), you’ll take your sample to your local Quest Diagnostics to get quality testing and accurate results. (Okay, fine, this method does require you to leave your home.) A patient liaison will follow up with you within one to three business days, and if the test comes back positive, they’ll provide a treatment plan and a prescription.

What it tests: The at-home specimen box tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia for $189, but you’ll still have to physically drop it off at a Quest Diagnostics Lab. For all other STI tests, it’ll set you up with an appointment at a Quest Diagnostics Lab so you can provide a blood or urine sample with a starting price of $99.

Added benefit: It’ll take care of connecting you to a nearby Quest Diagnostics Lab, which has more than 2,000 patient locations in most major metropolitan areas. Buy Here

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