Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections can feel complex, confusing, or embarrassing, but at-home STI tests can make the process easier and more private. Getting tested is important. STDs are more prevalent than they were a decade ago, with 2.2 million reported infections in 2024, according to the Center for Disease Control. Today, there are plenty of testing alternatives for people reluctant or unable to visit a doctor or clinic. But even though these tests can be convenient, they might not be for everyone. We break it all down below.
What Are At-Home STI Tests?
At-home testing is nothing new. You can get at-home medical tests for everything from Covid-19 to drug testing to hormone levels or food sensitivities. You can examine your gut, your blood, or even your DNA. At-home STI tests use samples of your blood, urine, and/or samples collected from the vagina or rectum to detect whether or not you have a sexually transmitted infection. You'll collect these samples with swabs, finger lances, and/or cups. Depending on the test, you'll either send in your samples by mail to await results from the lab, or you'll process them at home in a dedicated device. These tests typically cost between $100 and $400.
"At-home STI tests can be just as accurate as those performed in a doctor's office when used correctly, since they often use the same laboratory testing methods," says Dr. Shannon Chatham, Medical Director at online health care company Wisp. Chatham says the key to accuracy is carefully following the collection instructions and using tests from reputable, FDA-approved, or CLIA-certified companies.
Dr. Kate McLean, Chief Medical Officer at at-home test company Evvy, agrees that at-home tests can match lab accuracy since the underlying technology is the same, but cautions that if you get a positive result, the next step will still bring you in contact with a medical professional: “A positive result should be paired with a care conversation to understand next steps.”
What Can They Test For?
You can self-test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, depending on the test you purchase. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are easier to test for at home; viral infection testing for diseases like herpes, hepatitis, and HIV is more reliable if conducted at a doctor's office.
You can buy home tests for herpes or HIV I and II, but since those STIs have specific incubation periods and symptoms, they aren't necessarily recommended for routine tests unless you have specific concerns or symptoms.
Most available at-home tests screen for multiple sexually transmitted diseases. Some tests include follow-up consultations, either in person or through telehealth services, if you test positive.