How do I get tested for STIs?

Depending on the STI and the type of sex you are having tests for STIs are done in different ways. The tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are really simple; all you have to do is pee in a cup. Another way to test for these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a swab where you might have been exposed, for example the vagina or cervix, your throat, or your butt. The tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C involve testing a blood sample, it could be a finger prick for a few drops of blood or you may need to have blood collected, depending on where you have your testing done. You can also get at-home tests for HIV and other STIs and use telehealth to get tested anonymously without leaving your house. You may want to be tested for other STIs, like herpes, depending on your symptoms; talk to a health care provider about whether other tests are a good idea.