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Can You Get an At-home STI Test Without Seeing a Doctor?

Stacy LawrencePatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Updated on November 13, 2023

Key takeaways:

  • You can test at home for many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. 

  • At-home STI tests are available with or without insurance, depending on the service.

  • Poor sample collection is always a risk in any type of diagnostic testing, so be sure to follow the instructions precisely.

A patient talking to their doctor on their laptop from their couch.
andresr/E+ via Getty Images

Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been on the rise in recent years. Many STIs are completely treatable. But some people have a hard time getting tested for STIs, which makes it impossible to know whether or not you need treatment. 

If you need to get tested for STIs but you can’t get to a clinic or you prefer not to see a healthcare provider for testing, you can still get safe and reliable results with at-home STI testing.

With at-home STI testing, a kit is shipped to your home. From there, you collect your sample and send it to a lab for analysis. Results are reported via email, a website, or an app. Here, we’ll go over how at-home STI tests work in depth, including how much they cost, where to find them, and more.

What are STI symptoms — and when do they usually happen?

Many people with STIs don’t experience any symptoms. People who do experience symptoms may notice:

  • Burning or itching in the vagina

  • A discharge or odor from the vagina

  • A discharge or redness around the urethral opening of the penis

  • Swollen testicles 

  • Pain around the pelvis

  • Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal

  • Pain during sex

  • Sores, bumps, or blisters around the vagina, penis, anus, or mouth

  • Burning and pain with urine or with bowel movements

  • Having to go to the bathroom often

Sometimes, STI symptoms can be difficult to tell apart from those caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bacterial vaginosis.

STI symptoms can take several weeks to appear after a sexual encounter. Some STIs, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, will show up on a test sooner than other types of STIs, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or herpes.

What are the pros and cons of at-home STI testing without a doctor?

If you’re considering at-home STI testing, there are some pros and cons to keep in mind.

Pros of at-home STI testing

Not visiting a healthcare provider’s office or clinic — and heading directly into STI testing — comes with some pros:

  • Saves time: Doing an at-home test may be quicker than a visit to a provider’s office or clinic. 

  • Potentially less expensive: Depending on your insurance, using an at-home STI test may be less expensive than a visit to a provider’s office. You don’t have to worry about a provider copay with an at-home test. 

  • No wait: If your provider’s office is especially busy, it can take time to get an appointment. While you’re waiting for that appointment, you may have to live with uncomfortable symptoms. Waiting to find out whether or not you have an STI can also be anxiety provoking. With an at-home test, you don’t have to wait to get your sample to a lab.

  • Privacy: You may not want your provider to know that you need an STI test. An at-home test offers increased privacy and discretion. 

Cons of at-home STI testing

While at-home STI testing comes with benefits, there are some downsides to consider too:

  • Not knowing which test to get: If you’re sexually active, it can be hard to know which STI tests you actually need and which you can skip. Some kits only test for 1 or 2 STIs. Depending on your situation, you may need more or less testing.

  • Sample collection: At-home STI tests are accurate, but only if you collect a good sample. It can be tough to collect a sample by yourself, which is something you don’t have to worry about at a provider’s office. If there’s a problem with your sample, your results may not be accurate. 

  • Treatment: If you do test positive for an STI, you will need to see a healthcare provider to get treatment. If your provider’s office is busy, you may need to wait for that appointment. But if you get tested at a provider’s office, they may be able to prescribe your treatment over the phone without an appointment. Some providers also offer in-office treatment, so you can get your treatment right away in just one dose. Many providers save an appointment for people who get STI testing, just in case they need treatment, so you don’t have to wait. 

How do lab-direct and at-home STI tests work?

At-home and lab-direct STI tests allow you to collect your own samples at home and then submit them to a lab for testing.

Different STI tests require different kinds of samples. Some examples include a: 

  • Urine sample 

  • Finger-prick blood sample

  • Vaginal, anal, or oral swab

Your test kit will tell you exactly what type of sample you need to collect and how to collect it. You’ll then take that sample to a lab or lab-drop off point, where the lab will then test your sample.

Make sure to follow instructions about how to store your sample if you can’t get to the lab right away. Your results may not be accurate if you don’t store your sample the right way.

Types of at-home STI tests

Many common STIs now have at-home test kits available. Test kits for the following STIs are available either in stores or via mail-order for home delivery: 

Keep in mind that STI tests that are run in a lab don’t have to be approved by the FDA. Those testing providers simply have to show that their laboratories are compliant with CLIA certification. This means the laboratories and their processes are up to the standards required by federal law.

What are rapid at-home STI tests?

Some at-home STI tests offer rapid results. They are designed to function like a home pregnancy test, with self-collection and results available within 30 minutes or so. Unlike STI tests that get run in a lab, tests that are run at home do need FDA approval. It’s a good idea to check and make sure any brand you choose has full FDA approval.

How accurate are at-home STI test kits?

If your at-home test is processed at certified laboratories, you can be confident that your results are accurate, so long as your sample was collected and preserved correctly until it was processed. 

A big review of more than 2,000 studies found that at-home tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea gave accurate results, as compared to tests ordered by a healthcare provider. However, the at-home tests had higher chances of a contaminated or unusable sample than if a provider had collected the sample.

How much do lab-direct or at-home STI tests cost?

Some at-home STI tests that detect 3 or 4 STIs start at just under $100. That goes up to about $400 for some of the most comprehensive offerings that detect 8 or 9 different STIs.

If the cost is a problem, some regional Planned Parenthood offices are also offering at-home STI testing. Their services are usually free or low cost, depending on your income level. There are also many free and low-cost clinics that remain open, perhaps with limited hours, for in-person STI and HIV testing. 

Below is a list of at-home and lab-based tests available without a visit to a provider, with information about costs, how long results take, and which STIs they can test for. 

Will insurance cover an at-home STI test?

Maybe. It depends on both your insurance provider and which STI test you choose.

Manufacturers of at-home STI test kits have information on how to get insurance coverage for your tests. A couple of them are able to incorporate your insurance information up front, or they offer information on how to submit for reimbursement from your insurer after you have already paid for the test. 

You may also be able to use funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for your test kit. Keep in mind that shipping costs may not be covered by insurance or be eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement. 

Can you get tested for STIs without insurance?

Yes. You can purchase at-home STI test kits without insurance. You will be responsible for all costs associated with the test. 

You may be able to find less expensive testing options in other locations like Planned Parenthood or your local federally qualified health center. Your city or state health department may also offer free or low-cost STI testing. Some health departments offer free rapid testing too — so you can get your results the same day. 

The bottom line

At-home testing for STIs is an affordable option for people who need testing but either don’t want to or are unable to see a healthcare provider. At-home testing is reliable as long as the instructions are followed closely and samples are collected and stored correctly. Some insurance providers will cover the costs of at-home STI testing. But you don’t need insurance for at-home testing. If your test is positive, you will need to follow up with a healthcare provider for treatment.

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