Getting tested
Getting tested, what to expect
A standard STI check is fast, often free, and nothing to dread. Here is the whole visit, start to finish.
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What happens at the visit
You check in, answer a few questions about your sex life, and give samples. Most checks need no exam. The questions are routine, so answer honestly. The clinic has heard it all.
What the tests are like
Most checks are a pee cup, a quick swab, or a finger prick. Swabs go where you had sex: throat, dick, pussy, or ass. None of it hurts more than a moment.
What it costs
Many clinics test for free or charge based on what you earn. At most public clinics you do not need insurance. Ask when you book. It is a normal question.
When results come
Rapid tests give an answer in minutes. Lab tests usually take a few days, and the clinic calls or texts you. If you hear nothing, check in. No news is not an answer.
If a result is positive
Most STIs are curable, and the rest are treatable. Treatment often starts the same day. Tell recent partners so they can get tested too, and the clinic can help with that without naming you. If the result is herpes or HPV, it is more common and more manageable than it feels.