For those who have trouble getting to a doctor’s office or lab, an at home STD test kit is a convenient alternative. These kits provide rapid lab-certified results from the comfort of your own home and often come with a free doctor consultation if you’re positive.

These tests can be purchased online and include a swab for a vaginal or rectal sample. Several different companies offer testing options, including LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box.

Cost

There are dozens of at-home STD test kits that you can purchase online. Depending on the brand, these tests can be more convenient and affordable than visiting a doctor’s office.

The At Home STD Test Kit Walgreens offers a comprehensive 8-panel test option that includes HIV, hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. This is a great option for couples who want to screen for all the most common STDs and stay at home.

Taking an STD test at home is much less expensive than going to a doctor’s office, so it’s often worth the savings. At-home test kits typically offer consultations before or after testing to answer any questions you may have about the tests and their results.

Convenience

Many people do not get tested for STIs and STDs because of the shame and stigma associated with them. Thankfully, there are now a number of companies that offer at home STI testing kits that make the screening process more convenient than ever.

Oftentimes, they also offer a free consultation with a healthcare professional before and after you test to help you understand your results. In addition, they use secure sockets layer technology (SSL) to keep your information private and compliant with HIPAA regulations.

Depending on which company you choose, they will provide you with instructions for collecting your sample, either a urine or a blood sample. These instructions are usually very clear and easy to follow.

Accuracy

After any unprotected sexual contact, it is recommended that sexually active people get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If an STD is detected early, it can be treated with antibiotics and prevent serious health complications.

Fortunately, many companies offer at-home STD tests that allow you to test yourself from the comfort of your own home without a trip to the doctor’s office. These kits usually require a urine, pinprick blood, anal, or vaginal sample.

A good at-home test kit should be accurate and simple to use. The company should also be able to give you results within a few days of collecting your sample.

The accuracy of at-home STD testing can vary from one company to another, but most modern tests are highly reliable and efficient. However, poor sample collection can lead to inaccurate results, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Privacy

Most at-home STD test kits are capable of testing for a variety of sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis. Many of them also offer multi-disease tests that can be a good idea when you’re not sure what infection is causing you a problem.

The most exciting aspect of at home STD testing is how confidential the results are. Most brands on this list encrypt all your private information using secure sockets layer technology, also known as SSL. This ensures that you’re not only getting the most accurate results but that they are also safe to share with other people, a good idea if you’re prone to sharing sensitive medical details like your social security number or financial info.

Among the most impressive at-home STD testing kits is the Nurx one, which uses a combination of finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample, and throat swab. It takes about seven days for the kit to come in the mail and about three for the results to hit your inbox.