How does an STD test work? What you should know

Feeling nervous before a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test (sometimes known as a sexually transmitted disease or STD test) is totally understandable, especially if you’ve never had one before. 

Whether you’re scared about what the results will say or whether the test itself will be painful or intrusive, know that all of these fears are common and very normal. 

Finding out as much as you can before the test can help you feel more prepared. Knowledge is power, after all. So let’s get clued up on what happens at an STI test with a little help from a Flo expert.

Key takeaways

• STI tests can happen at your doctor’s office, at a public health clinic, or via an at-home test. 
• The appointment will usually start with your doctor asking some questions about your medical and sexual history. 
• Depending on the sexually transmitted infection you’re being tested for, the screening can involve taking a swab or providing a urine sample or blood test. 
• These tests are quick and generally not painful.

What is an STI or STD test? 

We’ll start with the basics. The purpose of an STI test is to figure out what’s going on if you’re experiencing any STI symptoms or check whether you have an asymptomatic (symptom-free) sexually transmitted infection. 

If you think you might have an STI, it’s natural to feel very worried and alone. But STIs are extremely common, with 1 in 5 people in the United States having a STI on any given day. 

It may also be reassuring to know that most STIs can be completely cured — and all are treatable. It’s when STIs are left untreated that more serious health problems can develop, which is why it’s so important to get tested and follow your doctor’s treatment advice. 

Depending on which STI you need to check for, you may have options on where you can take the test. It could be through your regular health care provider, at a public health clinic, or by simply taking an at-home test.

At-home STI testing

Taking an STI test at home can be more convenient and less nerve wracking than doing it at your doctor’s office. So it’s no surprise that at-home tests for certain types of STIs like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chlamydia, and gonorrhea have become more popular. 

These tests usually involve taking a urine sample or a swab from either your mouth or genitals. After collecting the sample, you’ll need to mail it to a lab to be tested. 

The downside is that at-home tests aren’t always accurate. If you get a positive result, your health care provider will need to test you again to confirm the diagnosis. Similarly, if you get a negative result but you have STI symptoms, you should speak to your doctor.

What does an STI test involve? 

Doing an STI test in person can be daunting if you’ve never had one before, so let’s break down exactly what to expect. An appointment will usually start with your health care provider asking some questions about your medical and sexual history. For example, they may ask: 

• How many people you’ve had sex with
• What kind of protection you’ve used 
• If you have any symptoms

These topics can feel super personal and awkward to talk about, but being open and honest will help your doctor give you the best possible care. Know that it’s normal for them. In fact, they probably have many of these conversations every day. They’re also bound by law to keep your medical information private, which includes your sexual history. Remember, you’re doing the responsible thing by getting tested, so the conversation is nothing to be embarrassed about. 

Swab tests

A swab test involves using a cotton swab to collect a sample from the vagina, anus, or urethra (the tube your urine comes out of). These types of STI tests are commonly used to look for: 

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea

Swab tests can also test for syphilis and herpes, but only if you have any ulcers or sores. If this is the case, your doctor may swab the ulcer or sore directly. This can be uncomfortable, but it’ll be over quickly.

Urine samples

Doing a urine sample involves peeing into a container. Your health care provider will give you the cup, which you can take to the bathroom. They may give you specific cleaning and collecting instructions, too. Make sure you wash your hands before and after collecting your urine, and when you’re done, take the sample back to your doctor’s office. 

Urine tests are often used to check for: 

• Chlamydia 
• Gonorrhea 
• Trichomoniasis

Blood tests

For some types of STIs, doctors need to check for the infection in your blood. These types of STI tests involve your health care provider taking a blood sample from a vein in your arm with a small needle. They’ll only take a small amount of blood, which will be collected in a test tube or vial. It shouldn’t hurt too much, just a sharp scratch when the needle goes into the skin. Your doctor may do a blood test to check for the following STIs:

• HIV
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis
• Herpes

How long do STI tests take?

Your sexual health appointment may take a while, as your doctor will want to chat through your medical history before they carry out the actual test. The type of test you have and whether your doctor also wants to perform a physical exam will have an impact on the time it takes too. But to give you a rough idea, at some clinics, sexual health appointments last between 30 and 40 minutes. 

How long it takes to get your test results can vary. Sometimes, you can get results on the same day, but in other cases, it can take days or weeks. The wait can be really tough, so make sure you’re getting the emotional support you need from a friend or family member you can trust.

How do I know if I need an STI test? 

You should get tested as soon as possible if you think there’s a chance you have an STI. “People should be screened after a new exposure (such as unprotected sex with a new partner),” says Flo expert Dr. Sara Twogood, obstetrician and gynecologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group, California, US. “They should also get tested if there are any concerning symptoms,” she says. Signs of an STI can include: 

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pain when you pee 
• A skin rash over your body, hands, or feet
• Blisters, sores, genital warts, lumps, or skin growths around your genitals or anus

But it’s important to know that STIs often have no symptoms. That’s why it’s good to get tested regularly. And if you have a new partner, it’s a good idea for both of you to get tested before having sex. It may also be good for you to discuss using barrier methods like condoms for added protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a handy quiz to help you figure out if you may be at risk for an STI.

 

STI risk factors 

Some people are at higher risk of catching STIs than others, such as teenagers, young adults, and men who have sex with men. 

Dr. Twogood adds, “People with multiple sexual partners and those who do not use condoms or other barrier methods are also at higher risk. And some STIs are recommended to be screened for regardless of exposures or symptoms.” For example, the CDC recommends the following:

• All women under age 25 should get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
• Women older than 25 who have new or multiple partners should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. 
• For men who have sex with men, HIV testing should happen once a year, along with screenings for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These tests should happen more frequently (every three to six months) if they have multiple or anonymous partners.

How do I prepare for an STI test?

Ask your health care provider if there is anything you need to do to prepare. If you’re going to have a urine or swab test, you may need to avoid using vaginal creams or douches for a while before the appointment. 

Take a note of all your symptoms to help you make sure you get all the important information across. 

Write down any questions you have for your doctor so that you don’t forget them when you’re there. You might want to ask them about how to talk about STIs with your partner, whether condoms provide enough protection, or if it’s worth getting retested in a few months’ time. 

Try to mentally prepare yourself for the test by reflecting on how you’re feeling. Anxious thoughts, stress, and nerves can be very normal before taking an STI test. Speaking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling can make the experience less lonely or scary. You could even ask them to go along with you and wait outside while you see the doctor, if that would be helpful.

What happens after you test positive for an STI?

If you do test positive for an STI, your health care provider will tell you the next steps and recommend the best treatment. They may want to do further tests to check for complications and/or to confirm the diagnosis. 

You should also speak to your partner or recent partners as soon as you can so they can get tested too. These conversations can be really tough, but a little preparation can go a long way. Our guide on how to tell someone they might have an STI can help you approach the conversation with more confidence. 

It can be incredibly distressing to get a positive STI result, but try to remember that it’s not the end of the world. Many can be easily cured with antibiotics. And as we’ve seen, your chances of getting an STI are reasonably high as they’re incredibly common. So a positive result is definitely not a reason to beat yourself up. 

Dealing with STIs is really just a normal part of being sexually active. By getting tested, finding treatment, and talking to your partner, you’re doing all the right things.