*STDs are on the rise in the United States. Did you know that there’s been a 76% increase in the number of diagnosed syphilis cases — just in the past few years alone? That’s in addition to a 67% uptick in gonorrhea diagnoses and a 22% jump in cases of chlamydia.
Make no mistake, sexually transmitted diseases still pose a clear and present danger to Americans and others around the globe.
Of course, early diagnosis is often the key to successful treatment. And there’s only one way to know if you have a sexually transmitted disease: you must be tested. But are at home STD tests reliable? Or should you go to a clinic? Read on for the 411.
First, What Is an At Home STD Test?
It used to be that in order to find out if you had a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis C, or HIV, you had to visit a doctor’s office or a clinic. They would give you an examination and ask you intrusive (albeit important and necessary) questions about your sexual history and partners. Then they would send you home to wait for the results — and worry.
Now, you can determine whether or not you are infected by collecting your own samples in the privacy of your home. These samples may include blood, urine, or other bodily fluids and substances.
You send your samples off to the lab, and in about a week you’ll be notified of your results online. Everything is completely confidential; you never have to talk to another human being during the entire process of testing if you don’t want to.
The Benefits of This Testing
Almost everyone who uses an at home STD test reports “confidentiality” as the most significant benefit. That’s especially true for certain people, especially:
- Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who may face harassment, judgment or discrimination when seeking testing
- Sex workers, who must test frequently to maintain their health
- Residents of small towns or insular communities
- Teenagers whose parents might not know they are sexually active
Another big plus, though, is that it’s convenient. it literally takes just minutes to order the test, then once it arrives, to take it and send it back. Compare that to the hours that are required to visit a clinic or medical office. That can be a big hurdle to testing for many people.
To learn more about the benefits, read some of the MyLAB Box reviews. It can be helpful to read what real users have to say about their own experiences.
Are They Accurate?
Yes, say physicians and health experts who have been interviewed about at home STD testing. These tests have reliability and accuracy rates comparable to the ones that a doctor or clinician would use if you went to get tested in person.
Of course, you’ll have to make sure to get yours from a reliable company that conforms to FDA approved testing methods.
Final Thoughts
Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases is an important part of your healthcare. And using an at home STD test makes the experience easy, efficient, convenient, and private.
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