Finally, You Can Test for STIs at Home in 30 Minutes—Here's Why That Matters

A groundbreaking at-home sexually transmitted infection (STI) test now delivers results in just 30 minutes, potentially preventing thousands of women from losing their fertility each year. Visby Medical's Women's Sexual Health Test has partnered with Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp to make this palm-sized device widely available to consumers.

How Does This 30-Minute Test Actually Work?

Unlike traditional at-home STI kits that require mailing samples to laboratories and waiting days for results, this device uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology—the same method labs use for accurate testing. Users simply collect a vaginal swab, insert it into the device, and receive results through Visby's smartphone app within 30 minutes.

The test screens for three common STIs that often show no symptoms but can cause serious reproductive damage:

• Chlamydia: Can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility if untreated
• Gonorrhea: May cause chronic pelvic pain and pregnancy complications
• Trichomoniasis: Associated with increased risk of other STIs and pregnancy issues

Why Speed Matters for Women's Health

The timing couldn't be more critical. Nearly 100,000 women in the United States lose their fertility each year due to complications from untreated STIs, according to Visby Medical. Many of these infections present without symptoms while silently damaging the reproductive system.

"Infectious disease management relies heavily on the speed of diagnosis, and for too long, women's health has been hindered by delays," said Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Chief Medical Officer of Visby Medical. "When a patient has to wait days for a result, we risk the infection spreading or developing into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. The expansion of this test provides immediate, lab-quality accuracy at home, which can move patients from diagnosis to treatment in a single day, preserving their long-term health."

Where Can You Get This Test?

The Visby Women's Sexual Health Test is now available on questhealth.com and Labcorp OnDemand. Ovia Health, Labcorp's women's health app, plans to offer the test to its employer and health plan partners in early 2026.

This development comes as STI rates continue climbing nationwide. In 2022, more than 2.5 million cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with increases over five years for gonorrhea at 11% and syphilis at 80%.

"For many patients, privacy and convenience are essential to seeking care," explained Dr. Leslie Saltzman, Medical Discipline Director of Consumer Health at Labcorp. "As a physician, I see firsthand how a timely and accurate diagnosis is critical to preventing complications from STIs."

The rapid testing capability addresses a crucial gap in women's healthcare, where delayed diagnosis can mean the difference between successful treatment and permanent reproductive damage. With this technology now widely accessible through major healthcare providers, women have a new tool to take control of their sexual health from the privacy of their homes.