Key points
- If you are sexually active, STI testing is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.
- Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider to learn which STI tests are right for you.
- There are many ways to get tested for STIs.
Why get tested
STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one. But even without symptoms, infections can cause serious health problems and spread to others. It's important to know if you have an STI, so you and your partner(s) can receive treatment.
Who should be tested
What you should be tested for and how often can depend on several factors, including where you live and your age, sexual history, current sexual practices, and symptoms (if you have any). A healthcare provider can help you decide which tests you need. Here are some general guidelines:
- Everyone ages 13 to 64 years should be tested at least once for HIV.
- Most sexually active adults should be tested for syphilis based on where they live.
- Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy. Some people may need repeat testing and also need to be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
- Some women 25 years and older should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. This can include women who have new partners, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI.
- Sexually active men who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men should be tested:
- For syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year. Those with multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- For HIV at least once a year and may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- Anyone who shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
- People who have had oral or anal sex should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
How to get tested
You may need to provide blood, urine, or swabs from your vagina, throat, or rectum for STI tests.
There are three ways you can get tested for STIs:
- A healthcare provider can perform tests in their office. They may recommend testing for you, even if you do not have symptoms, since many infections do not have symptoms.
- You can self-test (or, at-home test) for some infections. Self-testing is when you collect a swab or your own blood from a finger prick and test it with a device that provides results within minutes. There are FDA-approved self-test options for HIV and syphilis. You can also use an FDA-approved self-test for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis by swabbing your vagina.
- You can self-collect (or, collect your own) vaginal swab, urine, or blood using a test kit and mail it to a laboratory for results. This can take a few days. FDA-approved self-collection testing options are available for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Talk to your healthcare provider
Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your sexual history and STI testing, even if you receive results from a self-test or a self-collection kit.
If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STIs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing. Visit the Get Tested website to find fast, free or low-cost, and confidential testing near you, including self-collection options.