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At-Home STI Tests Are Everywhere Right Now. How Well Do They Work?

You're not saving a ton of time by testing at home if you go with a mail-in option, which could take longer to provide results than a doctor's office or clinic, Dr. Gaither points out. (For instance, LetsGetChecked's test takes at least two to five days to provide results—and you're at the mercy of the USPS when it comes to how long it takes your sample to reach the lab.) Still, the privacy factor might outweigh that for some people.

They offer an alternative if you can't get to a clinic (or don't want to go to one).

STIs have social stigma attached to them, and this can be even more pronounced for people who need STI testing but have anxiety or trauma about seeking care due to having experienced dismissal or discrimination in connection to their health. Women, LGBTQ people, and people of color are more likely to have had negative experiences affecting their care. Due in part to historical medical racism, in particular, it's common for marginalized groups to have mistrust in medical systems and therefore avoid clinical settings.

A 2019 study found that Black people were 73% more likely to report mistrust in medical systems than white people were, and Latinx people were 49% more likely. This ends up having an effect on STI testing: According to the CDC, higher rates of STIs in communities of color are due to health inequity. Because of many providers acting on bias related to those statistics, marginalized people might not want to go to in-person clinics for STI testing if they can avoid additional encounters with medical racism.

For people with disabilities or mobility limitations, at-home kits might be a useful tool. The at-home STI kits might also be useful for people in health care deserts, which are (mostly rural) areas of the US where there's insufficient access to basic primary care services like STI testing, Dr. Gaither adds. Sadly, since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, at least 26 sexual and reproductive health clinics have closed nationally. Now, in many areas, there's only one reproductive health center per 5,000 people. (According to Power to Decide, a nonprofit tracking reproductive health care access in the US, regions in which a single clinic serves 1,000 people are typically known as contraceptive deserts, where people can't get the full range of birth control methods. These can also be sexual health care deserts, since people often go to the same clinics for a range of those services too.)

All of this comes with the massive caveat that most tests, like Know and the Let'sGetChecked kits, come with significant price tags. Since disabled people, people in health care deserts, and people of color are often also facing financial instability, it's unlikely that these are a magic solution to increased STI testing access for people who might especially need it.

The potential downsides to STI self-testing panels

At-home tests are sometimes less accurate.

Though they might test for the same amount of strains of STIs as a health care provider's office, at-home kits might not be as accurate as those conducted by a health care provider, Dr. Gaither says. A finger-prick test should usually be accurate enough to get proper STI results, but getting "enough" to test from a vaginal swab or urine test can be trickier if you're doing it yourself.

You'll pay more than you would in many clinics.

According to Planned Parenthood, clinical STI testing is often available for free or at a reduced cost with health insurance or with Medicaid; some states, like Indiana and parts of Oregon and California, offer free take-home options too. On the flip side, it's difficult to find a self-testing STI kit that screens for more infections than only chlamydia and gonorrhea for less than $100; often, the cost increases along with the amount of tests on a panel. If you have health insurance, it likely won't cover the cost of at-home testing. At-home tests might be eligible for reimbursement if you have a health savings account, but you'll end up paying out of pocket and then filling out paperwork to make that happen.

If you decide to take an STI test at home, it's important to get care afterward.

If you do receive a positive STI result, you'll need treatment, Dr. Gaither says. And some of the tests, like those from Know and Let'sGetChecked, only test for a few different infections, not including HPV, HIV, or herpes. Regardless of what a given test checks for: "These results are difficult to interpret and need to be within the clinical context," Andrew Rubenstein, MD, director of the generalist division of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Health, tells SELF. In the case of a positive result, you can follow up via a telehealth appointment, if the testing service offers that, or head to a sexual health clinic for additional care and treatment, Dr. Rubenstein says.

All told, if you can afford at-home tests and prefer the convenience and discretion of them, there isn't anything wrong with testing via (ideally FDA-approved) home kits. But for the best handle on your diagnosis and care plan, whether you receive a positive result or need additional testing for persistent symptoms after a negative one: Follow up with a provider who can help you figure out what's next.

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Yeast Infection Treatments

A vaginal yeast infection (also called vaginal candidiasis) happens when too many candida yeast cells grow in the vagina. These cells are always there, but factors such as pregnancy, taking antibiotics, having too much stress, or wearing a wet swimsuit for too long can cause an overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeast, making them outgrow the good ones.

Yeast infections typically cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling of the vagina and vulva; vaginal pain or a burning sensation; a vaginal rash; and/or a thick, odorless, white, cottage cheese-like discharge.

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) yeast infection treatments. If those don't work for you, or your yeast infections keep returning, talk to your doctor to see if you need a longer course of treatment.

Yeast infections are very common, affecting about 75% of women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) at some point in their lives. The duration, symptoms, and frequency of these infections vary widely from person to person. That's why there are several vaginal yeast infection medications on the market.

There are two main types of yeast infection treatments:

Short course. These antifungal medications range from a one-time pill (fluconazole) that you take orally to 3- to 7-day courses of antifungal creams, tablets, and suppositories. You can buy some of these over the counter, but others have to be prescribed by your doctor.

Long course. If you have very severe symptoms, or yeast infections that keep returning, your doctor may recommend long-course treatment. This may be an antifungal vaginal medication that you use for 2 weeks or two to three doses of a pill that you take by mouth. Your doctor may also recommend boric acid tablets that you insert in your vagina (these pills can be fatal if taken by mouth, so talk to your doctor before using).

You can get antifungal vaginal creams from your doctor or buy them without a prescription at most large drugstores and supermarkets. Some creams you can apply inside the vagina; these usually come with an applicator that helps you measure the right dose. Others are suppositories or tablets you place in your vagina where they dissolve.

Many yeast infection treatments come in 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day strengths. OTC vaginal creams and other antifungal products have the same ingredients to fight a yeast infection as the medication your doctor might prescribe but in less-concentrated doses.

Clotrimazole (Lotrimin and Mycelex)

Miconazole (Micatin and Monistat)

Tioconazole (Vagistat-1)

Some creams also cover different strains of yeast. You'll need a prescription for these:

Butoconazole (Gynazole-1)

Terconazole (Terazol)

In general, the more concentrated the drug, the shorter the time you have to take it. A vaginal cream that has the number 7 after its name, for instance, would usually be used for 7 days. If the same product name had a number 3 behind it, it would be a more concentrated version of the vaginal cream and you'd only need it for 3 days.

Your doctor may also prescribe a steroid cream for a few days to ease more serious inflammation, redness, and soreness at the opening of the vagina and the surrounding tissue, called the vulva.

OTC yeast infection creams

First, read all package directions carefully. Vaginal creams can be messy and may leak out during the day, so you might want to use them only at bedtime.

When you use a vaginal cream that's oil-based, you may need to use birth control that's not a condom or diaphragm or skip sex while you're using the cream. That's because the oil in the cream could damage the latex in a condom or diaphragm.

Yeast infection suppositories

Medications in vaginal creams (such as clotrimazole and miconazole) may also be available as vaginal tablets or suppositories. You put these into your vagina and let them dissolve. Some brands call them "ovules" because they're oval-shaped. These products often come packaged with a plastic inserter that helps you get the medication to the right place.

One benefit of a suppository is that it's less messy than a vaginal cream and less likely to leak during the day. Another benefit of tablets or suppositories is that you use the doses for fewer days, so you get relief from your symptoms sooner.

Safety tips for OTC yeast infection treatment

Before you use any of these products, you need to know for sure that you have a yeast infection, not something else. See your doctor if you're not sure because using the wrong medicine can make an infection harder to diagnose.

Always follow the package directions exactly. Pay special attention to how often to use the product and how much to use. You need to get those two things right because the dose targets the growth cycle of the yeast.

Complete the entire course of medication, even if your symptoms go away early.

Antifungal medications can change the way some drugs work. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking an antifungal if you are taking other medications.

No matter which yeast infection treatment you try, see your doctor if your symptoms don't clear up after you finish it.

If you have a severe infection, your doctor might prescribe an oral medication. Ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme) is taken twice a day for 1 day and targets the specific fungal cells behind the infection. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a pill that kills fungus and yeast throughout your body. You would take fluconazole for a week -- every third day (days 1, 4, and 7) -- initially, for three doses total. Then, your doctor might have you take it weekly for 6 months to make sure the yeast infection doesn't come back. Side effects for either include stomach upset, diarrhea, or headaches.

You shouldn't take either of these oral medications to treat yeast infections if you're pregnant.

Another antifungal medicine, oteseconazole (Vivjoa) has been approved for people who have repeated infections and who are not able to get pregnant due to being postmenopausal or permanently infertile. Infertility might be because you've had your uterus or your ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, or you've had your tubes tied (tubal ligation).

Never take any medication or use a nonprescription vaginal cream while you're pregnant unless you've spoken to your doctor about it first.

If you think you may have a yeast infection you should talk to your doctor. Everyone's symptoms are different and yeast infection symptoms can be confused with other vaginal conditions, including skin allergies, sexually transmitted diseases (such as trichomoniasis), bacterial vaginosis, and hormonal changes.

You may have heard of several home remedies to treat yeast infections. One study showed that coconut oil may effectively kill candida, but it wasn't tested in people. Other at-home treatments that you may find include garlic, essential oils, and vinegar, but none are proven to cure the condition.

You may not always be able to prevent a yeast infection. But if you've had one before and you want to avoid them in the future, some of these tips may help:

Avoid eating foods with lots of sugar (which yeast uses to grow) and refined flour.

Avoid foods fermented with yeast (such as breads and beer).

Take probiotic supplements or eat foods with probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi to increase the good bacteria in your vagina. Supplements with lactobacillus are particularly helpful for a yeast infection.

Keep your vaginal area dry. You can wear cotton underwear, which lets air circulate. After you've been swimming, get out of your suit and dry off. And wear pants that aren't too tight to avoid trapping moisture.

Choose products such as tampons and feminine pads without added fragrances and dyes.

Most yeast infections clear up within about a week. But the time it hangs around will depend on how severe it is and if you get the right treatment.

Will a yeast infection go away on its own?

If you have a very mild yeast infection, it may go away on its own. But you'll need medication to treat most moderate and severe yeast infections.

Frequent yeast infections

If you have four or more vaginal yeast infections in a year, it could be a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. It's not common, but if you have it, you may need to take an antifungal medication prescribed by your doctor for up to 6 months.

Frequent, repeated yeast infections can also be a sign of a resistant strain or more serious condition, including untreated diabetes. You are also more likely to have recurrent yeast infections when you have hormonal changes, (such as during pregnancy) or when your immune system is weakened because you have HIV or have had an organ transplant.

If you have frequent yeast infections, talk to your doctor who may do some testing to find out why.

Reach out to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your prescription and how to take your medicine. Let your doctor know if your symptoms don't disappear after you finish taking all your medicine as prescribed. You should also call your doctor if you have any new symptoms because they might be related to other conditions.

Yeast infections can be uncomfortable to have, but antifungal medications can help treat them in as little as one day. Symptoms of a yeast infection can be the same as those of other conditions including skin allergies and sexually transmitted diseases. If you think you have a yeast infection or have ones that keep coming back, talk to your doctor to figure out the best treatment for you.

Vaginal Yeast Infections

The vagina normally contains a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast. The hormone estrogen helps bacteria called lactobacilli to grow. These bacteria kill harmful organisms in the vagina and keep you healthy. But when something happens to tip that balance, a fungus called candida can grow out of control and cause a yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis.

They're itchy and uncomfortable, and no one really likes to talk about them. But vaginal yeast infections are very common. It's estimated that 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime.

Though yeast infections can happen to anyone at any time, certain things make them more likely. Most infections can be cleared up quickly and easily.

Yeast infection vs. Bacterial vaginosis

Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are both vaginal infections called vaginitis. While the conditions may have similar symptoms, they happen for different reasons and need different treatments. You can use an over-the-counter treatment for a yeast infection but will probably need prescription medicine for BV.

You can treat some vaginal infections with over-the-counter medicine, but others require a prescription. Your doctor can help you figure out which condition you have and the right treatment. (Photo Credit: DigitalVision/Getty Images)

Itchiness and discomfort are the main symptoms of a yeast infection, but there are others:

Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals)

Pain or burning when you pee

Pain during sex

A thick, white, odorless discharge, similar to cottage cheese

Watery discharge

Vaginal rash

Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva

If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor before treating yourself. The symptoms of yeast infections are similar to other, more serious conditions, including sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (bacterial overgrowth in the vagina). An accurate diagnosis is important so you can get the best treatment.

There are many reasons you could get a yeast infection, including:

Hormones. Changes during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause (or if you're taking birth control pills) can change the balance in your vagina.

Diabetes. If your diabetes is not well-controlled, the increase in sugar in the mucous membranes of your vagina can create a place for yeast to grow.

Antibiotics. These drugs can kill off many of the good bacteria that live in your vagina.

Douches and vaginal sprays. The use of these products can change the balance in your vagina.

A weakened immune system. If you are HIV-positive or have another immune system disorder, the yeast may also grow uncontrolled.

Sex. Though a yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can be passed from person to person through sexual contact.

Stress. Research shows that the candida fungus, like other organisms, responds to stress. Our knowledge of this response mostly comes from lab studies where scientists grow it in glucose. But in the human body, the fungus faces different conditions and is exposed to many stresses at once, which impacts its ability to cause disease.

Are yeast infections contagious?

You can get a yeast infection both through sex and without sexual contact, but it's not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Diagnosing a yeast infection involves your doctor or nurse examining your vulva and vagina. They'll also get a sample of discharge by swabbing your vagina, then send the sample to a lab to be examined.

The most common way to treat yeast infections is with over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or suppositories (with clotrimazole or miconazole). Treatment can take 1 to 7 days. Your doctor may also prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme). 

If you're pregnant, it's safe to use creams or suppositories, but avoid oral medications. 

It's important for you to know that some yeast infection medications weaken condoms or diaphragms. That makes it easier for you to get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease. Be sure to read instructions and warnings before using.

Recurrent yeast infections

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you may get yeast infections over and over again. It's a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). If you get yeast infections at least four times a year, your doctor may recommend that you take a weekly fluconazole pill for 6 months to fight them. Oteseconazole (Vivjoa) has been approved for those with recurring problems with infections who do not want to have children (or have more children).

Some studies have shown that eating probiotic yogurt or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements may slow the growth of yeast in the vagina, lowering the risk of infections. More research is needed before a clear connection can be made. Other ways of avoiding a yeast infection include:

Wear cotton underwear.

Keep your skin dry.

Don't douche.

Avoid feminine deodorants.

Use scent-free tampons or pads.

Use water-based sexual lubricants.

Keep your blood sugar in check if you have diabetes.

Vaginal yeast infections are common, with symptoms including itchiness, redness, swelling, pain during urination or sex, and a thick, white discharge. Treatments range from over-the-counter antifungal creams or oral medications to prescription options. Infections that continue to come back may require long-term treatment. Probiotics like yogurt or supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus might help prevent yeast overgrowth, but more research is needed to confirm how well they work.

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