“What’s the deal with at-home STD tests?”
You ask. Tia answers. #TiaTalkTuesday
STD-tests are about as anxiety-producing of a human experience as it gets 😰
First you have to decide *to get tested.*
Cue the 1,000 circuitous convos in your head flip-flopping between: “I’ve got every STD under-the-sun” and “there’s zero-chance-on-earth I could possibly have one.”
Then, once you get over that psychological warfare hump, you actually need to take the plunge and go to the doctor, a clinic, or the least-warm-and-fuzzy of all health care places — a lab — to get the thing taken care of.
Needles. Stirrups. Waiting room awkwardness.
Good news is, I’ve got a solution for you 😍
This #TiaTalkTuesday, I’m joining forces with EverlyWell — the home health testing pro of PROS — to answer:
Did you say testing. At home?!
Yupppp.
If you’re sitting there wondering if the words “home” and “testing” in the same sentence is too good to be true, it’s not. Like yours truly, EverlyWell is an innovative healthcare co created BY women FOR women (with some sweet tests for men too!).
Their 💣.com Female STD Test checks for 7 STDs — Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Herpes Simplex Type 2 and HIV.
The full shebang — all via a DIY vaginal swab and blood sample kit delivered right to your door (or wherever you want to ship it) in discreet packaging so you can take care of business whenever and wherever you see fit.
#TiaPick !
So, how does it work?
The test has two parts — a vaginal swab and a blood sample that you do yourself.
The vaginal swabbing portion is legit is as easy as putting in a tampon (AKA the opposite of the heart-palpitation-inducing pelvic exam experience we all know too well).
And for the blood sample part, you use a super simple blood pricker (far more akin to a stapler than those nightmare-inducing needles we know too well) to get 5 itty-bitty blood drops.
And that’s it!
How do I get the results?
IMO, the best thing about the EverlyWell test is you get the benefits of the doctor’s office without the office part. EverlyWell processes your samples through a CLIA Certified Lab — a fancy way of saying, your at-home samples go through the very same testing process as the samples taken at a doctor’s office.
About five days later, you’ll be sent an email to notify you that your results are ready and viewable in an easy-to-understand report online — for your 👀 only.
If the test does come back positive for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas, or HSV2, EverlyWell will hook you up with a physician for a phone or video consultation to discuss your results.
In most states (full deets here), these doctors can prescribe treatment too! No office visit necessary.
So, is the test accurate?
Yup! At-home tests have shown to be just as accurate as STD-tests done in a clinical setting.
As mentioned, the actual sample is processed in the same type of lab with quality control metrics in place to ensure the most accurate results.
How much does it cost?
EverlyWell’s STD test is $239, which includes the follow up doctor consult and treatment if needed. While it’s a bummer that these at-home tests are not covered by most insurers, you can use an HSA (Health Savings Account) or an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) if you’ve got any 💰💰💰 in one of those.
And importantly, there will never be any hidden costs that show up in the mail months later!
If you’re keen on an STD testing option that doesn’t show up on your insurance bill, or just prefer taking one in the comfort of your own home, it’s a worthwhile splurge for your health and peace of mind!
Because #KnowledgeIsPower 💪🏿 💪🏽 💪
Until next time,
✌️ Tia
Tia is a personal, private women’s health advisor you message with about birth control, sexual health, periods and more. Made by a team of women’s health experts, Tia knows you, learns you, and is your go-to for all those “ugh!” , “oops…”, and “huh?” moments. On Tuesdays, we surface the top *anonymous* questions from the community and report back with the answer. Have a burning q you want us to tackle? Leave it in the comments below or email info@asktia.com.
