In California, there were more reported cases of the most common STDs in 2017 than ever before. The numbers have been growing for four years straight and are at a 25-year high, which constitutes a public health crisis. The state is currently leading the nation in new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea – and Los Angeles is leading in both.
California’s funding for essential public health services has decreased by around 40% since the recession in 2008, which is usually followed by an outbreak of STIs. Prevention and education lose their effectiveness in times of epidemics, so early detection and therapy remain the best weapons in the battle against STDs in California.
STD Testing Options In Los Angeles
If you want to keep your sexual health in check, in Los Angeles, you can opt between at-home testing providers, online STD testing with partnered draw centers, STD testing at clinics, and free/low-cost STD testing.
At-home tests allow you to provide relevant samples and perform the entire screening process in the comfort of your home. Your chosen company will deliver a personal STD testing kit to the specified address and provide you with online results a couple of days after you mail your specimen back to the lab. This option is perfect if you are looking to avoid crowded waiting rooms, waiting in lines, and discussing your sexual activities with strangers.
Online testing providers with partnered clinics are pretty similar to at-home services, but you still have to visit a brick & mortar draw center in order to provide your samples. Apart from this, the testing process is exactly the same. You can still order specific testing options or panels online, you do not have to make an appointment, there are no lines, and your report will be available online in just a couple of days.
When it comes to state and private clinics, the situation is pretty different. You have to make an appointment (sometimes months in advance), the turnaround times are slower due to overcrowded labs, and your results will rarely be available online. On top of this, you have to factor in additional expenses like doctor’s fees and copays for prescriptions. Finally, your STD testing becomes a part of your permanent health record.
Lastly, there are a lot of STD testing options in Los Angeles that offer free or low-cost screening. However, these clinics usually have a rigorous qualification process, which prevents them from waiving their fees unless you cannot afford their services or already exhibit serious symptoms associated with the most common infections. In other words, they do not provide free testing unless you earn next to nothing or show advanced signs of certain diseases.
| Austin, TX | At-Home STD Testing | Online STD Testing With Clinic | STD Testing At Clinics | Free STD Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $80+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | $24+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | Single tests: $10-$30 w/ insurance; $50-$200 w/o insurance, STD panels: $300-$400 | Free, but you have to qualify |
| Insurance Accepted | N/A | |||
| Sample Collection | Your home | Partnered draw centers | Clinic | Facilities of the testing provider |
| STD Panels Available | ||||
| Appointments | ||||
| Same-Day Testing | Free clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so maybe | |||
| Anonymous Testing | ||||
| Testing Accuracy | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Turnaround Time | 1-5 days | 1-3 days | Up to 2 weeks | Depends on the number of samples in the lab |
| Online results | Rarely | |||
| Free Private Consultations | ||||
| Free Presciptions |
Let us now take a closer look at some of the most prominent representatives for each STD testing option in Los Angeles:
At-Home STD Testing
MyLab Box is a premium online service that allows its users to test potential exposure to STDs without ever leaving their homes. The company features a wide array of reliable FDA-approved single kits and convenient panels and delivers results with 99.99% accuracy in just 1-5 business days. The testing process is 100% discreet and helps you avoid awkward sessions with your doctor, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, and talking about your sex life with strangers.
- True at-home STD testing in Los Angeles
- Testing kits made in the US
- CLIA-certified labs in all 50 states
- Free shipping
- Free doctor consultations and prescriptions
- Partnership with more than 1,000 pharmacies nationwide
Online STD Testing With Clinic
STDCheck is one of the best STD testing providers on the market with more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide. Unlike regular clinics, it allows you to place your order online, pick the closest draw center, and provide the relevant sample in just 5 minutes without ever waiting in lines, talking about your symptoms or explaining why you suspect potential exposure to STDs.
- 100% confidential testing
- FDA-approved testing solutions/CLIA-certified labs
- Same-day STD testing/results in 1-2 business days
- Individual tests + panels
- Numerous payment options
- STD Test Recommender
- Free doctor consultations + sessions with care advisors
Some of the STDCheck testing locations in Los Angeles include:
Quest Diagnostics
420 E 3rd St STE 802, LA, CA 90013
(Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM; Wed 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM);
1632 E, Cesar Chavez Ave, LA, CA 90033
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Labcorp
1825 Cesar Chavez Ave, LA, CA 90033
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
1400 S. Grand Ave Suite 612, LA, CA 90015
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM);
1510 S Central Ave Ste 520, Glendale, CA 91204
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
STDCheck operates more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide, so you can find the closest location by using the Find-a-Lab tool on the official website.
STD Testing At Clinics
Some of the available clinics that offer STD testing in Los Angeles include:
STD Free Los Angeles
1435 Vermont Ave #100A, LA, CA 90006
(Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
STD Aware Los Angeles
1127 Wilshire Blvd #210, LA, CA 90017 (+1 323-503-4597)
What RU Into
McDonald Wright Building, 1625 Schrader Blvd, LA, CA 90028 (+1 323-993-7500)
Cutting Edge Testing
4835 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
AHF Wellness Center – West Adams
2146 W Adams Blvd, LA CA 90018
(Tue-Thu 5:30 AM – 8:30 PM)
FPA Women’s Health
601 S Westmoreland Ave, LA, CA 90005
(Mon-Sat 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
The Los Angeles LGBT Center WeHO
8745 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(Mon-Fri 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
Beverly Hills Urgent Care
822 S Robertson Blvd #350, LA, CA 90035 (+1 310-659-2555)
Free STD Testing
If you do not have insurance and cannot affords STD testing in Los Angeles, here are some options at your disposal:
- AHF Wellness Center – Western – 1811 N Western Ave, Hollywood (855/783-2434)
- Public Health Center – North Hollywood – 5300 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood (818/766-3982)
- STD Free Los Angeles – 1435 Vermont Ave #100A, LA, CA 90006 (213/261-4090)
- Planned Parenthood – West Hollywood – 825 N San Vicente Blvd (844/810-0064)
- The Los Angeles LGBT Center WeHO – 8745 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (+1 323-993-7440)