Store At-Residence STD Assessments From TBD Well being – SheKnows

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Since COVID-19 turned a factor, we’ve gotten increasingly more snug testing ourselves for health issues at home. It is smart: residence testing kits, whether or not it’s for COVID or a UTIare faster, extra handy, and cheaper than making an appointment along with your physician. And in relation to sexual health particularly, the less limitations we’ve got to testing, the higher.

That’s why we’re so enthusiastic about at-home STD testing, particularly when it’s supplied by a sex-positive firm like TBD Health. By means of TBD, you should buy STD residence screening kits that goal to “reduce all the stigma, anxiety, and inaccessibility” that normally comes with getting examined, co-founders Daphne Chen and Stephanie Estey inform SheKnows. It’s one thing they are saying is particularly vital now, when reproductive rights are being attacked proper and left.

“More and more we’re seeing local sexual health clinics nationwide shuttering due to lack of funding and resources,” they are saying. TBD Well being needs to be an answer “for those living in sexual healthcare deserts and beyond, by offering a more accessible and approachable way to taking care of your sexual health.”

At-home STD testing has been round for a few yearshowever TBD Well being stands out, and never simply due to their vibrant colour scheme (which we love). The corporate additionally provides a critically spectacular vary of assessments. You’ll be able to select from 3-panel, 5-panelor 9-panel STD testsor check for particular STDs, corresponding to HPV or chlamydia and gonorrhea.

To provide you an thought of the scope, TBD’s most complete 9-panel check will display you for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, herpes II, and Mycoplasma genitalium — which is greater than the “full panel” you usually get on the physician’s workplace. TBD Well being additionally provides emergency contraception, PrEP (a day by day tablet for HIV prevention), and consultations with clinicians. You may as well take a brief questionnaire from TBD that can assist you wade by way of the choices and work out which one is best for you.

Right here’s how TBD’s at-home STD testing works. No matter package you select, it’ll be delivered to you in discreet packaging and with free delivery. Relying on the check, you’ll be requested to gather a number of samples of urine, blood (by way of a finger prick), or vaginal dischargewith TBD offering any swabs, assortment cups, or different instruments it’s possible you’ll want. From there, you bag up the samples as instructed and ship them to the CLIA- and CAP-approved labs TBD Well being makes use of (the identical labs that docs, hospitals, and universities use). TBD ensures that you simply’ll have check leads to lower than per week, and you may entry them by way of the corporate’s on-line portal.

“If you are positive, or if you just have questions, our clinical team will do a telemedicine consult and provide you with everything you need,” together with prescriptions, TBD notes on its website. You’ll even have limitless messaging with the corporate’s medical workforce about your assessments.

“The true differentiator of TBD is the care that comes along with the experience,” Chen and Estey clarify. “All of our clinicians are trained in sex positivitythey have sensitivity training, and they are trauma-aware.” Providing counseling on subsequent steps and sources for each sufferers and their companions, TBD “really walk(s) you through the entire process,” they are saying, not like the “transactional” expertise you might need with some healthcare suppliers.

After all, privateness is all the time prime of thoughts in relation to sexual well being. Chen and Estey say their objective is to “create the safest space possible” to debate STD outcomes, which incorporates utilizing military-grade encryption to retailer sufferers’ information. (Observe that for some STDs, TBD Well being is required by legislation to report a constructive consequence to the relevant Division of Well being.)

One factor to notice is that TBD Well being doesn’t settle for medical insurance, although the corporate’s FAQ page states that its assessments are “generally priced lower than the out-of-pocket costs associated with STD testing.” (HSA and FSA are accepted.) TBD additionally provides check package subscriptions for a decrease value, which is a good way to check persistently whereas saving some cash. The 9-panel STD check is $299 for a one-time buy, for instance, however $239 for those who get a month-to-month subscription.

In even higher information, we even have an unique low cost code: Simply enter SHEKNOWS20 at checkout till Oct. 15 for 20 p.c off of a TBD Well being buy. Take this as your signal to choose up a package, get examined, and take management of your sexual well being ASAP.

Earlier than you go, take a look at these merchandise for a greater night time’s sleep: