Learn about the pros and cons of at-home STI tests and when to see a doctor instead.
San Francisco: If you’re the kind of person who gets nervous at the doctor’s office, you might find that collecting your own samples doesn’t stress you out as much as when someone in a white coat does it.
Depending on where you live and how you get around, at-home STD tests might be easier to get than going to a clinic or setting up a doctor’s appointment. You can pay for them yourself, which could be better based on what kind of health insurance you have.
Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections have a stigma attached to them. You shouldn’t feel bad about checking up on your sexual health—nope, not at all. But if you’re worried about what others might think, at-home tests could be a better choice.
The Cons of At-Home STI Tests (3-4 syllables: tests, collecting, incorrect)
At-home STI tests can cost a lot. Some people might find them more affordable, and many can be paid for with special health accounts. But if you live somewhere with free testing through health departments or clinics like Planned Parenthood, those options will likely be cheaper.
There’s also a chance you might not collect your samples correctly. This can give you wrong results that say you don’t have an infection when you actually do. Some tests are trustworthy, but it’s important to make sure the lab analyzing your results is well-regulated.
Stella Safo, an infectious disease doctor, says “It’s important to follow the kit instructions exactly and collect the sample properly while avoiding contamination.” You should also follow warnings and avoid things that can mess up results, like storing the kit wrong or using certain products in the last 48 hours.
Your personal health and timing can also affect how accurate at-home tests are. For example, if you have your period or took antibiotics recently, these factors might impact your samples. A doctor can consider these things and adjust your testing plan.
If you need help quickly—if you have symptoms that worry you or you’re pregnant or know you were exposed to an STI—it’s really important to visit a health care provider rather than trying to treat yourself at home.
If privacy worries you, going to a regular doctor’s appointment might actually be better than having test packaging in your trash. And if you think you might test positive, it could be better to hear that news from a health care provider instead of finding out while opening mail at home.