STD Testing

You should consider getting an STD test if you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or you are experiencing symptoms of an STD. You may also need an STD test if you are at high risk for having an infection, reports the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

People at high risk for STIs, according to the NLM, are:

• Women under the age of 25 who are sexually active. Women in this age group should be tested every year for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Women aged 25 years and older who have new or multiple sex partners.
• Women aged 25 years and older who have a partner who has been diagnosed with an STI.
• Women 21 years and older. Women in this age group should get regular Pap smears to check for cell abnormalities in the cervix.
• Women who are pregnant. During pregnancy, women should be tested for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C.
• Men and women who are sexually active and who have unprotected sex with people with whom they are not in a monogamous relationship.
• People who have sex without using barrier methods of protection, such as condoms.
• Men who have sex with men. Men in this group should be tested every year for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• People who have HIV. The NLM recommends that people with HIV undergo regular STI testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia.
• People who use injectable drugs with shared or unsterile needles. This group should be tested regularly for HIV, suggests the NLM.

STD testing is a service offered by many healthcare clinics. According to Planned Parenthood, you can get an STD test at your doctor’s office, a community health clinic, or your city or county health department. STI testing is also available without an appointment at many walk-in clinics, urgent care centers, and walk-in labs. Planned Parenthood adds that STD testing may be free or covered by your health insurance and that these tests usually cost anywhere between $0 and $250 out of pocket.

Contact your healthcare provider directly to find out if you need an appointment or if it welcomes walk-ins. You can also use Solv to book a same-day or next-day appointment directly from its website with no telephone call necessary.

During an STD test, your doctor will collect a sample of your blood, urine, or fluids from the infection site, says the NLM. Your doctor may also perform a physical examination to check for signs of STDs such as warts, rashes, sores, and irritation.

Blood test

Blood tests can check for the presence of STIs, including HIV, syphilis, and herpes. During a blood test, your doctor will use a tiny needle to draw a small sample of blood from your arm. Your blood is collected into a test tube and sent to the lab for analysis.

Urine test

A urine test can check whether you have trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. During a urine test, you will be asked to urinate into a small cup, which is then analyzed by the STI testing provider.

Swab test

Swab tests can be used to diagnose chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). During a swab test, your doctor will use a swab to collect a sample of cells or fluids from the site of the infection, such as the penis, vagina, or cervix.

In most cases, STD testing does not require any special preparation. Women are usually advised to avoid using douche products and vaginal creams for 24 hours before getting a urine or swab test. Your doctor will also tell you whether you need to do anything to prepare for your STD test.

According to the NLM, the risks associated with STD testing are very minor. For example, the NLM notes that the main risk of having a blood test is experiencing slight pain or bruising at the site where the needle was inserted. The NLM notes that urine and swab tests do not come with any risks.