4 of the best at-home gonorrhea tests

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process.

There is a range of home tests available to screen for gonorrhea. Some test kits involve self-collecting a sample at home, while others require a visit to a local lab to provide the sample. The companies that sell them offer a discreet service and often employ doctors to discuss results and treatments.

Quick links

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause infections in the rectum, vagina, or throat. It can affect everyone and is very common in people aged 15–24 years.

The disease spreads through anal, vaginal, or oral sex with a person who contracted the infection.

While some males with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms, those who do may experience the following symptoms:

Learn more about the symptoms of STIs in males.

Most females do not have symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are frequently mild. However, even those who are asymptomatic may develop serious complications. Symptoms in females may include:

Rectal infections in males and females may either produce no symptoms or cause:

Any person with symptoms or who suspects they may have gonorrhea should undergo screening for this infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend that the following people have the test every year:

sexually active males who have male partners
sexually active females younger than 25 years
sexually active females older than 25 years with risk factors, such as new or multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner with an STI

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that a gonorrhea home test is a safe and reliable method. If a doctor recommends home testing, people should follow the kit instructions carefully.

An older study reported that home tests for STIs are a feasible method to screen people. Because most individuals prefer home testing over clinic testing, the screening rate for STIs is much higher for the former. The research supports home testing as a reliable way to screen more at-risk people.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

LetsGetChecked

Best for combination STI testing

LetsGetChecked offers a range of at-home tests, including numerous STI tests that all detect gonorrhea.

Once people receive the test kit, they can collect a sample at home and return it to a LetsGetChecked lab using the free shipping label. The lab then sends results to the customer's online account within 2–5 days, while a nurse contacts them in the case of a positive result.

These kits have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, the company's labs have certification from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards and accreditation by the College of American Pathologists.

However, LetsGetChecked does not have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which gives the company an F rating. Common customer complaints reference shipping and delivery issues.

Learn more about LetsGetChecked here.

Everlywell

Best for free shipping

Everlywell uses FDA-approved laboratory tests and CLIA-certified labs. The company offers a combination gonorrhea and chlamydia test and screening for a broader range of STIs.

After a person orders a test kit, a board-certified doctor within their state reviews and approves their request. Upon receiving the test, an individual provides a urine sample and sends it to the lab on the label. In a few days, the company posts the test result in their account and offers guidance on the next steps.

While Everlywell does not have accreditation with the BBB, it has an A+ rating.

Learn more about Everlywell here.

STDCheck

Best for walk-in testing

STDCheck uses FDA-approved laboratory tests and CLIA-certified labs. The company offers a single test for gonorrhea and another screening for a full range of STIs.

After ordering a kit, a person goes to a local testing center to provide the sample — they do not need an appointment or paperwork. The company posts the test result in an individual's account within 1–2 days. If the test results are positive, they may call and speak to a staff doctor, who can prescribe treatment if needed.

STDCheck holds accreditation with the BBB, with an A rating with the agency.

myLAB Box

Best for follow-up advice from a doctor

myLAB uses FDA-approved laboratory tests and CLIA-certified labs. The company sells a combination gonorrhea and chlamydia test and a test for a fuller spectrum of STIs.

Upon ordering and receiving the test, a person provides a urine sample and mails it to the lab. Within 2–5 days, the company sends the test results to the individual, who can view them online. If the results are positive, they can schedule a phone call with a staff doctor, who explains what steps to take next.

myLAB Box does not hold accreditation with the BBB. However, it does have an A+ rating with the organization.

The following table compares the four gonorrhea tests in this article.

People should consult a doctor if they have any gonorrhea symptoms. Additionally, because it is possible to have an infection without symptoms, any at-risk individual should undergo screening.

If the result indicates an infection, it is vital to speak with a healthcare professional for prompt treatment. A person's sexual partners also need to take a test and receive treatment if required.

Prompt treatment of gonorrhea can prevent complications. The CDC notes that without medical care, gonorrhea infections may cause infertility or long-term abdominal pain in females, while it may lead to sterility in males. In rare cases, life-threatening blood infections are possible.

The CDC explains that sexual health involves more than the prevention of disease. It also requires a respectful approach to sexual relationships, along with consensual, pleasurable sexual experiences.

People can reduce the likelihood of contracting STIs by taking the following actions:

Learn more about at-home STI tests here.

Any person with gonorrhea symptoms should get a test to see if they have acquired the infection. Doctors also advise certain sexually active people to get tested every year. For those who need testing for gonorrhea, at-home testing kits are a reliable option.

Early diagnosis can lead to treatment that prevents complications. Because some complications are very serious, getting medical attention quickly following a positive test result is crucial.

What is HPV