Covid-19 is ushering in a new era of at-home sexual health tests

Covid-19 is hogging the infectious disease spotlight for 2020. But that doesn’t mean that other illnesses have disappeared. Many experts fear that in the absence of routine preventative healthcare visits, sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, have the potential to skyrocket. That concern, however, has created a new kind of market: one for at-home STI testing collection kits.

  Young people are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections, but they face several barriers to getting tested

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have afflicted humans for as long as records exist, but despite significant medical advances, we are not managing to keep them at bay. Instead, we see rising infection rates and even the re-emergence of some old foes, including syphilis.

 'I Took An At-Home STI Test—Here's What Happened'

Raise your hand if you agree that down-there doctor appointments are the worst. Extended waiting room sojourns, rushed consultations, urine samples, vaginal swabs, cold stirrups, needles, and a “see you in a year” wave on the way out.

 At-Home STD Tests Could Help More People Get Screened

Twice as many Londoners got tested when they had this option.

 Here Are Your STI Testing Options if You Can’t Get an Appointment With Your Doctor Because of Coronavirus

If you were experiencing STI symptoms pre-pandemic, you had options: primary care doctors, testing centers like Planned Parenthood, gynecology offices, etc. But now, with the influx of patients and reduced staffing, it may be harder than ever to get an appointment when you need it most. Luckily, there are still options for you—ones that don’t even require that you leave the comfort of your home: at-home STI/STD testing kits.

 You Can Order a Dozen STD Tests Online — But Should You?

So startups are popping up online to help serve what they see as unmet demand for STD testing. One advertises that you can "get a sexy deal" by ordering. The question is whether those companies can survive — at least one left the market before its product even launched — and whether the services they offer get the right tests to the right people.

Get tested

Most people think they would know if they had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) . . . Wrong! The truth is many of STIs have no signs or symptoms in the majority of people infected. Or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. This is why the term “disease” (as in STD) is starting to be replaced by infection (or STI).

Finally, the Amazon Prime of STD Testing Is Here

Virtual STD clinics take stress and stigma out of getting screened.

Get Your STD Results in Minutes

Getting tested for an STD is a pain. There's a doctor's appointment, a week of waiting for results and a wealth of opportunity for embarrassing human interaction. These hassles may be part of the reason STD infection rates are on the rise—so now a clinic in London has begun to reimagine the process for the digital age. Its walk-in facility, called Dean Street Express, seeks to provide a self-service, stigma-free experience that requires almost no eye contact with strangers.

Everlywell now has an STI test subscription. Is it worth it?

Not everyone in the United States has access to medical care; that's an unfortunate fact. For those who do, visiting a doctor will provide more answers than a monthly STI test delivered to you — as well as advice on how to prevent them in the future. For those who don't, Current may provide some peace of mind, as long as the user is aware of the drawbacks.

Guys, Please Get Your Dicks Checked

Straight men are the worst when it comes to getting regular STI tests, and that needs to change.

Home Testing Kit Will Check For Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Every year about 20 million Americans are infected with a STD. An over-the-counter testing kit could help — checking for everything from herpes to HIV, in the privacy of your home.

Screening for sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem in both resource-rich and limited settings. STIs are frequently asymptomatic and can lead to various complications. The immediate goal of screening for STIs is to identify and treat infected persons before they develop complications and to identify, test, and treat their sex partners to prevent transmission and reinfections.

Silicon Valley To S'pore: This Millennial Built A Platform For Home-Based STI Screening Kits

Sharing future business plans, Xi said that she is looking to expand their services to the rest of Southeast Asia. They are eyeing to launch in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia markets by next year. She added that she hopes to see Ferne Health grow to be the leading sexual healthcare platform in Asia.

Which STD Tests Should I Get?

All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women 25 years and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.

Why Aren't Straight Men Told to Get Regular STD Tests?

Women and gay men carry the STD-testing burden.