New cases of the most common STDs are on the rise in both Boston and Massachusetts in general. The number of chlamydia infections increased by around 20% between 1999 and 2017, gonorrhea rates rose by nearly 60% between 2016 and 2017, and the number of recorded cases of syphilis increased by 400% since 2015. On the other hand, the rate of HIV infections dropped by 5% in 2017.
In order to deal with these massive STD outbreaks, people need to make regular STD screening a part of health checkups and combine it with timely therapy in case they test positive for some of the common sexually transmitted diseases.
This guide will list all STD testing options in Boston and outline their advantages and shortcomings in direct comparison so you could easily decide which solution is just right for you.
STD Testing Options In Boston
When it comes to different STD testing options in Boston, you can pick between at-home STD testing, online screening providers with clinics, STD testing at clinics, and free STD testing.
At-home (or direct-to-customer) STD testing is probably the optimal solution for most people. The testing protocol allows you to collect relevant samples in the privacy of your home and simply mail them to the processing lab instead of actually making a trip to a physical draw center. After the lab receives the said samples, your final report will be generated in 1 or 2 business days. If you test positive, major providers have in-house doctors and counselors who can explain your situation, offer options, and prescribe adequate therapy.
Online STD testing providers with clinics follow a similar screening pattern with one important difference – the actual sample collection is performed in a brick & mortar draw center instead of your home. Reputable providers usually partner with thousands of clinics all over the country so you should have no problems locating one near you. These are usually walk-in clinics, which means you do not have to make an appointment and the entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes. After your sample has been collected, the rest of the protocol pretty much mirrors at-home screening.
If you opt for private or state clinics, you will generally have to make an appointment and account for additional expenses like doctor’s fees and copays for medication. You will have to spend some time in the clinic’s waiting room and talk about your sexual experiences with a complete stranger. The average turnaround times are also longer due to overcrowded processing labs. Lastly, if you test positive, your STD status will be reported, which makes it a part of your permanent medical record.
Finally, some clinics offer free STD testing in Boston, but they usually operate on a sliding scale, which means your income will have to be extremely low in order to qualify. On top of this, some of them require visible symptoms as a prerequisite for a free screening, which is extremely dangerous since STIs need to be discovered and treated early on, before reaching their precarious stages.
| 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 |
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 Boston
- 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 available STDCheck locations in Boston include:
Quest Diagnostics
33 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM);
319 Longwood Ave First Floor, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02115
(Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM);
1180 Beacon St Ste 3A, Brookline, MA 02446
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
1 Brookline Pl Ste 120, Brookline, MA 02445
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
50 Tremont St, Melrose, MA 02176
(Mon-Thu 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM);
77 Warren Street, 1St Fl, Rm 158, Brighton, MA 02135
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM)
STDCheck features many more locations near Boston and you can find them all simply by entering your zip code in the proprietary Find-a-Lab tool featured on the official website.
STD Testing At Clinics
Here are some of the clinics in the Boston area that provide STD testing services:
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
75 Amory St, Roxbury, MA 02119, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 617-437-6200
Infectious Diseases at Boston Medical Center
725 Albany St 9th floor suite 9b, Boston, MA 02118, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 617-414-4290
Boston Living Center Inc
29 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116, United States
(Mon-Sat 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 617-236-1012
One Medical
28 State St #2860, Boston, MA 02109, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM);
+1 617-903-5000
Fenway Health
1340 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215, United States
(Mon-Thu 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
+1 617-267-0900
Codman Square Health Center
637 Washington St, Boston, MA 02124, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sat-Sun 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
+1 617-825-9660
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
10 Gove St, Boston, MA 02128, United States
(open 24 hours);
+1 617-569-5800
Free STD Testing
Here are some clinics that offer free or low-cost STD testing in Boston:
South Street Clinic
Boston – 145 South St. Boston, MA – 02111;
(617) 521-6713
South Cove Community Health Center-Chinatown Clinic
Boston – 885 Washington St. Boston, MA – 02111;
(617) 482-7555
Safe Harbor Community Health Center
Boston – 112 South Hampton St. Boston, MA – 02118;
(617) 534-2527
Pine Street Inn- Men’s Clinic
Boston – 444 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA – 02118;
(857) 654-1850
Pine Street Inn- Women’s Clinic
Boston – 363 Albany St. Boston, MA – 02118;
(857) 654-1865
North End Community Health Center
Boston – 332 Hanover St. Boston, MA – 02113;
(617) 643-8000
Boston also has a planned Parenthood office located at 1055 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 and the phone number is 800-258-4448