At Home STD Test Kits FAQs:

Kit Questions

How Reliable are These STD Tests?

Test accuracy is defined by sensitivity and specificity from clinical trials. Sensitivity is the percentage of results that will be positive when a disease is present. Specificity is the percentage of results that will be negative when a disease is not present. myLAB testing is using similar methodologies to what you would get in a lab and accuracy levels are comparable.

HIV kits: Sensitivity 99.9% and Specificity 99.9%
Chlamydia: Sensitivity 96.1% and Specificity 98.0%
Gonorrhea: Sensitivity 97.8% and Specificity 99.2%
Trichomonasis: Sensitivity >95% and Specificity 98%

How do myLAB Box Costs Compare?

myLAB Box

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea $79
Trich $79 *most testing services don’t offer
HIV starting at $73

Other labs and clinics:

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea $139-150
Trich $90-110
HIV $65-80

Is it Painful to Test Using myLAB Box Kits?

No, our kits are very low impact and require only a vaginal swab, small urine sample or a prick of the finger.

How do These Tests Compare to Regular in-clinic Tests?

All tests are validated by myLAB Box clinical laboratory affiliates. Results are comparable to samples collected in a physician’s office or clinical laboratory. Disclaimer: Tests used in myLAB Box kits have been developed and performance characteristics determined by myLAB Box clinical laboratory affiliates. Tests have not been approved by the US Federal and Drug Administration (FDA), although individual components of some tests performed in the laboratory are FDA-cleared. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary for laboratory-developed tests such as those offered by my LAB Box. These tests are used for clinical purposes. They should not be regarded as investigational or for research. myLAB Box clinical laboratory affiliates are regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) of 1988 as qualified to perform high complexity clinical testing and follow the guidelines of the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

Can I Test with My Partner?

Sure! With the convenience of myLAB Box you can now take the test side by side with your partner if you are so inclined. Order today and take your love to a whole new level. Please note, each person requires their own myLAB Box account so if you want to get a kit for your partner, send them a gift card. Love more, test often, live better.

Where are the Kits Made?

myLAB Box works with top tier manufacturers in the United States. All of our partners have been carefully selected to ensure that you are getting the highest quality products that produce the most accurate results.

Are the Kits Certified?

All of our mail-in kits use either an FDA-approved test or are validated by a myLAB Box lab affiliate for self-collection and transport in the mail. These tests have the same diagnostic accuracy as going into a laboratory.

Why is a Blood Spot Test Better than Oral Fluid?

We offer the Home Access HIV-1 Test System that uses a self-collected finger stick blood mailed to a qualified lab for all of our HIV testing. According to the CDC, of the two home HIV tests approved by the FDA, blood based testing finds infection earlier than testing using oral fluid; Up to 1 in 12 infected people may test false-negative with tests that use oral fluid. See CDC website for more information.

Do Kits Expire?

Yes, a kit’s expiration date is marked on the box and may vary. Typically it is between 6-12 months from the time you receive it so you can buy in bulk and test as you go.

How Long Does it Take to Get Results?

Turnaround from order to results for all mail-in kits is estimated at 5-11 days. This includes 1-3 days for customers to receive the kit and 2-8 days for processing and posting of the results online. An email notification with a link to our secure portal will be sent as soon as the results become available. Please be advised mail delivery timelines may vary and in rare occasions result in longer processing timeframes. Rest assured we are working to get your test results ready as fast as possible.

Who Will Have Access to My STD Test Results?

When it comes to information about your health, we believe you should be the first to know. Only you will know the results of your test. Share them whenever and however you choose. Please note, if you test positive for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea or Trich the lab is required by law to report the result to the Florida Department of Health. Both the Florida Department of Health and myLAB Box’s physician network affiliate, PWN Health, are required by law to also report the result to the health department in your state. However, all this information is completely private. No one is able to access this data, not even a spouse or family member. The data is simply collected to track the prevalence of new infections and for public health follow up where necessary. As the HIV test is an anonymous product, no reporting occurs linked to any of your information. Only you will know your results. In case of a positive result, we encourage you to seek immediate assistance from a healthcare professional so you can be treated and be back on your way to safe sex as soon as possible.

Treatment Questions

Do you Offer Treatment for Positive STD Test Results?

All customers who test positive using the myLAB Box service are entitled to a complimentary phone consultation with a myLAB Box physician affiliate to be evaluated for treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhea and trich. Depending on your symptoms at the time of consultation, the physician may be able to send a prescription to the pharmacy of your choosing immediately. To request a physician consultation, e-mail customerservice@mylabbox.com with your order number. A brief questionnaire will be e-mailed to you to complete prior to scheduling a physician consultation. Please note, availability of consultation and treatment services varies by state of residence and symptoms. All myLAB Box test results are lab-certified so you can also take them to your personal physician or clinic for treatment. To download a PDF copy for your doctor use the Download button in your My Account section.

If I Test Positive for an STD Will I Get a Prescription?

Do you Have Counselors Available to Speak to if I Test Positive for an STD?

All positive results are eligible for a complimentary phone consultation with a PWN Health-authorized STD counselor who can address your questions or concerns. All myLAB Box test results are lab-certified so you can also take them to your personal physician or clinic for treatment. To download a PDF copy for your doctor use the Download button in your My Account section.

Screening Questions

What if I Am Experiencing STD Symptoms?

If you are experiencing symptoms, test immediately or contact your primary care physician or a licensed health practitioner to schedule an exam. Do not engage in further sexual activity until your healthcare provider advises it is safe to do so.

What Happens if I Get a Positive STD Test Result?

If a positive result comes up, don’t panic! The good news is once you become aware of a problem, you can immediately begin finding the solution. Early detection means you have more options and can minimize damage to your health or your partner’s. Contact your primary care physician or a licensed health practitioner for to discuss next steps. Do not engage in further sexual activity until your healthcare provider advises it is safe to proceed. If you do not have a preferred health practitioner, or would like to discuss your results with one of our affiliate physicians immediately, call (888) 362-4321 to talk to a trained PWN Health-authorized STD counselor. Additional information can be found on our Resources Page. Doctor Referral ServicesFor questions about your non-negative results or to be re-tested and treated if necessary, you may use any of the following resources to find a doctor in your state and local area: All States in U.S.You may search for a doctor in your area using any of the following resources:

http://www.zocdoc.com/ (able to search for doctors that accept your health insurance plan)
http://doctor.webmd.com/

To find a doctor that can test and treat STDs, you may search using the following specialties: Female

Generalist: Internal Medicine + Internal Medicine
Specialist: Search Obstetrics + Gynecology and Infectious Diseases

Male

Generalist: Internal Medicine
Specialist: Urology and Infectious Diseases

Can I Get a False Positive Result when I Test for STD?

Although the myLAB Box tests are up to 99.9% accurate, on rare occasions a false positive may occur. Should you get a positive result, immediately contact your primary care physician or a licensed healthcare practitioner to schedule an appointment and treatment. Do not engage in further sexual activity until your healthcare provider advises it is safe to proceed.

Does a Negative Result Mean I do Not Have an STD?

Every disease has window period during which the presence of the infection may not be detected. While you may test negative in the early part of this period, it does not mean that you will not test positive at a later date. This is why frequent and regular STD testing is critical. Estimated window periods are as follows:

HIV – 3 to 12 weeks
Chlamydia- 2 days up to 4 weeks
Gonorrhea – 2 days up to 3 weeks
Trich – 7-10 days

How Frequently Should I Get Tested for STDs?

The recommended frequency of testing would vary depending on your lifestyle. We consider the optimum frequency for sexually active adults to be every 3-6 months for sexually active adults and at least once per year. As a general rule of thumb, you should get tested if any or all of the following are true:

you believe you may have been exposed to a disease
have had sex within the past 6 months
have had unprotected sex
have never tested for STDs
before starting a new sexual relationship

In addition, if you test positive, our physician affiliate recommends that you re-test in 21-28 days after completion of treatment to ensure that the infection has cleared and to obtain a negative result. If you do not re-test to confirm successful treatment, you may risk infecting your partners and you risk getting re-infected yourself. You can order your re-test kit here so you don’t forget to re-test in 21-28 days.

Do I Still Need to See My Doctor for My Annual Exam?

Yes. While myLAB Box offers a convenient and easy option to keep your sexual health on track, it should not replace an annual visit to your preferred healthcare practitioner. We recommend you continue to get an exam by your primary doctor or a specialist every year, which is covered under most health insurance plans. You can bring your myLAB Box results with you to your doctor’s visit so they do not need to test you in-office.

If I Get STD Tested By My Doctor or in a Lab, is mM Testing Confidential?

When you test through a health professional or in a lab and use health insurance to cover the high costs, every test and the results are recorded in the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) database that every insurance provider in the U.S. has access to. While your health insurance provider can no longer discriminate based on this information, every other kind of insurance provider has access to this data and may use it to make decisions about your coverage and rates. At myLAB Box, your privacy is of our utmost concern. All of our testing is priced to be affordable without health insurance reimbursements and no middle man. Your testing data is completely private and there is no risk of information being shared with your health insurance provider or MIB.

Do you Accept FSA Payment Cards, HSA Cards or Health Insurance to Purchase an AT Home STD Kit?

We currently do accept FSA and HSA payment cards. To use your card, check out like you would normally with any other payment method. Please note, there is no guarantee that your FSA or HSA card will be accepted as these types of cards tend to have varying rules and regulations attached. If you have trouble using your FSA or HSA card on the myLAB Box web site, please reach out to your card’s bank or administrator and alert orders@mylabbox.com. At this time we are not able to accept payment by health insurance providers.

How Old / What Age do I Have to Be to Use a myLAB Box Home STD Test?

Customers 14 and older can use the myLAB Box platform without restrictions. There is no age restriction for HIV testing, however the FDA recommends that users are 18 or older.

Who Should Test for Hepatitis C?

The CDC recommends that all adults born from 1945 through 1965 be tested for Hepatitis C without consideration of HCV risk factors as well as individuals with specific conditions and lifestyle choices.

Who Should Test for HIV?

The CDC recommends that screening for HIV should be performed routinely for all individuals aged 13-64 years. In addition, individuals at risk for other STDs should be screened for HIV as part of their evaluation.

I am Transgender, Which STD Test Kit Should I Order?

If you are transgender, cisgender or other and would like to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, or trich, we recommend selecting the “Male” test type during checkout. That type of test uses urine collection rather than a vaginal swab which makes it more suitable for a diverse range of testing cases. Please note, because almost all research on laboratory tests has not specifically identified whether participants were transgender, there is little data available on the performance of these tests for transgender individuals. However, based on our scientific understanding of STD testing, we expect that test performance will have comparable accuracy for both transgender and non-transgender individuals. Our HIV, syphilis, HSV-2 (genital herpes type 2), and Hepatitis C tests are unisex and based on a blood sample. Gender will not affect the collection process or accuracy of the test results. HPV high-risk type testing is done for women 30+ years of and can be used for cervical cancer screening. This test uses a vaginal swab to collect a specimen. Depending on the type of surgery you have had, cervical cancer screening may or may not be necessary. Please consult with your health care provider.

Shipping Questions

What States and Countries Do you Ship Your Home STD Test Kits to?

While we are working as fast as possible to expand our coverage, please note at this time we are only able to fulfill orders for customers in the United States of America.

Is Shipping Your STD Home Test Kits Discreet?

Shipping is discreet with the return address of the Fulfillment Center. We do not show the product name or business name on the outside of the package and on the return envelope and use only generic mail packaging for your peace of mind.

Partners & Affiliates

I’m Interested in Partnering with myLAB Box. Who do I Contact?

We are always seeking synergistic partnerships with organizations and companies that share our values. If you are interested in partnering with myLAB Box, please reach out to customerservice@mylabbox.com.

How do I Become a myLAB Box Affiliate?

If you are interested in joining myLAB as an affiliate, please e-mail the following to customerservice@mylabbox.com

First name
Last name
Company
Web site URL
Audience size
General demographics (age range, gender, interests)
How do you plan to get the word out?

Reviewed by Luis Ferdinand M. Papa, MD, MHA

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