STD Testing

If you think you may have been exposed to an infection, getting tested for STDs is a great way to protect your sexual health. It's also a great way to protect the health of your sex partners.

Highlights

• Should I Get Tested for STDs?
• How Do I Get Tested for STDs?
• Where Can I Get an STD Test?
• Which STD Tests Do I Need?
• How Are STD Tests Done?
• STD Testing Quick Reference Guide

Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you have symptoms of an STD, it's important to be tested. Some common symptoms of STDs include sores on the genitals, discharge from the penis or vagina, itching, and burning during urination.

But remember, many infections often do not cause any symptoms. Many people have sexually transmitted infections and never know it. Many people get or spread infections without ever having symptoms.

If you've had sex play with another person and did not use a condom, female condom, dental dam, or other barrier, it's a good idea to talk to your health care provider about STD testing. Getting tested can put your mind at ease or get you (and your partner) needed treatment. It's also important to learn about ways you and your partner can protect yourselves in the future.

How Do I Get Tested for STDs?

You must ask your health care provider to give you an STD test.

Some people assume they will be tested for STDs when they have an exam for another reason, such as when a woman has a Pap test or when a man has a physical. This is not true — you will not automatically be tested for STDs.

If you are seeing your health care provider for another reason, and are not sure if you need an STD test, just ask. Your provider can help you decide if you need any tests, and which one(s) you may need.

Where Can I Get an STD Test?

Your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, private health care providers, and health departments offer STD tests.

Which STD Tests Do I Need?

There is no single test for every sexually transmitted disease — tests are specific to each infection. And some infections can be found using different kinds of tests. 

You and your health care provider will decide what STD tests make the most sense for you. In most cases, your provider will first ask you questions about

• your sexual practices — such as how many partners you have, whether you use condoms or other barrier methods, and what body parts are used during sex play
• whether you have symptoms — and to describe the symptoms if you do have any
• whether you have had symptoms in the past
• whether you've ever had any STDs
• whether you have used over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms
• whether your partner(s) have any STDs or symptoms of STDs
• any drug allergies you may have
• your last period, if you're a woman — to see if you could you be pregnant

It is important to be honest with your health care provider. Your provider will be helping you make important decisions about what test(s) you may need.

How Are STD Tests Done?

It depends on which infection you may have. And some infections can be tested for in more than one way. Your test may include a

• physical exam — Your health care provider may look at your genitals and/or your anus for any signs of an infection, such as a rash, discharge, sores, or warts. For women, this exam can be similar to a pelvic exam.
• blood sample — Your provider may take a blood sample, either with a needle or by pricking the skin to draw drops of blood.
• urine sample — You may be asked to urinate into a special cup.
• discharge, tissue, cell, or saliva sample — Your provider will use a swab to collect samples that will be looked at under a microscope.

Sometimes a diagnosis can be made based on your symptoms and/or a physical exam. Treatment could be prescribed right away. Other times, your health care provider may need to send a sample to a lab to be tested. In that case, the results may not be available for several days or weeks.

STD Testing Quick Reference Guide

Which STD is being tested?	What's the Test?
HIV/AIDS	blood test oral swab test — a special tool is used to test cells from inside the mouth urine test (rarely used)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) (affects only women)	pelvic exam test of vaginal discharge
Chlamydia	physical exam test of discharge from the anus, urethra, or vagina test of a cell sample — cells from the cervix, penis, vagina, or anus urine test
Cytomegalovirus	blood test
Genital Warts	physical exam — some warts can be seen by the naked eye during a pelvic exam. A special tool called a colposcope may be used to detect warts that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Gonorrhea	test of discharge from the anus, urethra, or vagina test of a cell sample — cells from the cervix, penis, anus, or throat urine test
Hepatitis B	blood test
Herpes	blood test test of fluid taken from a herpes sore
High-Risk HPV	no HPV test for men test of cell samples from the cervix
Intestinal Parasites	test of a stool (feces) sample proctoscopy may be needed — a test that involves a health care provider inserting a thin lighted tube into the rectum
Molluscum Contagiosum	physical exam test of a cell sample
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (affects only women)	pelvic exam blood test test of discharge from the cervix or vagina laparoscopy — a special instrument is inserted through a small cut in the navel to look at the reproductive organs
Pubic Lice	physical exam may be self-diagnosed based on symptoms
Scabies	physical exam may be self-diagnosed based on symptoms test of a cell sample biopsy may be necessary
Syphilis	blood test test of fluid taken from a syphilis sore
Trichomoniasis	test of discharge from the vagina or urethra