Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are on the rise in the United States, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis topping the charts as the three most commonly-reported STDs across the nation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Worse yet, the majority of people who have an STD don't even know it - that means you, your partner, or someone else you've had sexual contact with could be infected with
To help you take control of your health and keep you protected against genital herpes, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases, we've put together a list of STD testing services that make getting checked simple and stress-free.
STDcheck.com is designed to provide you with an easy-to-access STD testing service at highly competitive prices that are significantly less than what you'd pay through a traditional clinic or hospital. They offer same-day testing in some locations, and because the collection is done at the lab, you don't need to worry about a herpes test kit arriving in your mailbox.
STDcheck.com is affiliated with over 4,500 test centers (labs) throughout the country where you simply walk in with a test order that you can purchase online using your choice of payment options (they even accept PayPal, Cryptocurrency, and pre-paid debit cards). You don't even have to show ID - all of the testing is tracked with your own personalized ID code that gives you access to the results through a secure online portal within a few days.
Right now, STDcheck.com does not accept insurance, but they will provide you with an itemized receipt that can be used to file a claim with your provider, plus if you use our referral link you will get $10 off your order.
myLAB Box is an online STD testing service that's designed to make herpes testing, checking your HIV status, and screening for all other major STDs discrete, reliable, and approachable. They offer a variety of 'boxes' that you simply order online, including the myLAB Love Box - a couples-orientated STD testing kit that includes two 8-panel kits for the most common sexually-transmitted infections such as syphilis, trichomoniasis ('trich') and herpes.
You'll receive your STD testing box in the mail along with instructions on how to take the samples needed - a process which takes about 5 minutes. Once you've completed the collection process, pack everything up and mail it in - your lab results will be delivered directly to you within 3 to 5 business days via a secure online interface.
One of the unique features of myLAB Box is the complimentary phone consultation with a myLAB-affiliated physician - it's included for every customer who has one or more positive test results using the service.
If you're a fan of the TV show 'Shark Tank', this Austin-based company might sound familiar to you. Launched in 2016, EverlyWell pitched the 'sharks' and landed a deal with investor Lori Greiner to develop over 30 at-home test kits, including tests for all major sexually transmitted diseases.EveryWell features physician-reviewed results, free shipping, and access to your results via a secure platform that is accessible from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer. All the samples are processed at a CLIA-certified lab then reviewed by an independent physician, and EverlyWell often offers discounts for new customers on their website.
Personalabs gives you on-demand access to a wide range of health tests, including over 30 types of tests and test panels for STDs such as hepatitis, chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS for both men and women. Simply order the tests you want on the secure website - there's no prescription needed - and have your specimens collected the same day at one of the over 2,300 partner patient service centers nationwide.
Within as few as two days your results will be ready - simply log in to your secure online account. If you need a prescription to treat an STD or you require a consultation with a physician, the Personalabs Telemedicine option lets you speak directly with a doctor from the comfort of your home or office, saving you the trouble of making an appointment at a traditional health care clinic.
Personalabs accepts HSA/FSA cards along with PayPal and all major credit cards, and discount codes are often available through the Personalabs website.
Before the advent of at-home STD test kits and on-demand STD checks, getting checked for STDs meant booking an appointment with your family doctor or heading to your local county-run STD clinic, and those options still exist today.
While getting tested at your local walk-in clinic or through your primary physician is better than wondering about your sexual health status, there's plenty of reasons why alternatives to traditional STD testing are so popular today. At a regular doctor's office you'll likely have to deal with a busy waiting room, need to worry about your privacy, and maybe even bump into friends or family members who you really don't want to encounter while you're getting an STD check.
And if you've had the same family doctor since you were a kid, talking about STDs can feel really awkward, making the experience more difficult than it needs to be.
While there's really no bad way to get checked for herpes, trich, or other STDs, nothing beats the convenience and confidentiality of online-based testing services. After all, these services all let you skip that uncomfortable wait in the doctors' office, avoid an awkward convo with your parents, and give you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you're taking care of business.
Our pick for the all-around best STD test is STDcheck.com - they've got the lowest prices, the most payment options, and nothing gets mailed to your home, which is a big bonus for folks who live with roommates, family members, or other people who might ask too many questions about that discrete little box that just showed up.References
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This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.