Why the Male STD Test Procedure Isn’t as Bad as You’ve Heard

Why the Male STD Test Procedure Isn’t as Bad as You’ve Heard

At Same Day, we’re accustomed to fielding questions about the STD testing process. Indeed, if you’ve never had an STD test before, you might understandably be concerned about how certain tests are administered. In particular, the male STD test procedure inspires a good deal of anxiety for many men. The good news is, getting tested for STDs doesn’t have to be a stressful –– or painful –– experience. Instead, men can get tested for STDs without having to worry about uncomfortable situations or protracted delays. Here’s everything you need to know about how we test for STDs:

Say Goodbye to the Swab Forever

In the past, talking about STD tests could make any man go squeamish. That’s because for a long time, doctors and other medical professionals needed to insert a swab into the penis to collect a sample in order to test for diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Thankfully, those days are over. Now, men can receive tests for common bacterial STDs simply by producing a urine sample –– no swabs necessary.

Note that other testing facilities might not have the capacity to use urine tests like Same Day. So free clinics and doctor’s offices may still utilize the dreaded swabbing method.

Types of STD Tests

As mentioned above, all that’s required to administer a test for gonorrhea and chlamydia is a mere urine sample. However, some STDs can’t be detected through urine. (Relax, the swab isn’t coming back!) Diseases like herpes, syphilis, and HIV, for instance, call for a blood test in order to determine their presence. Fortunately, only a small amount of blood is needed to complete an effective STD screening.

How Can I Get Tested?

At this point, all men should realize they have nothing to fear in regard to STD testing. If you’re worried about your well-being and wondering how you can get tested, you should know you’ve got a few options. You can always ask your doctor to perform an STD test, though, not all doctors are specialists in sexual health and may not have the most up-to-date testing methods available. (Again, the swab.) What’s more, any STD test performed by your doctor or will go on your medical record and be made available to your insurance company. Similarly, clinics like Planned Parenthood have to deal with hundreds of visitors a day and don’t have the time or resources to provide one-on-one service or consultation. And lastly, at-home tests simply aren’t reliable enough to be trusted.