STD Testing Clarksville, TN

Screening for STDs should be on your healthcare to-do list. After all, if you’re sexually active, it is possible that you are carrying an infection and don’t even know it. Testing is confidential and affordable in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The state has had some struggles with rising cases of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to the most recent data from the Tennessee Department of Health. For example, Montgomery County, where Clarksville is located, was one of Tennessee’s hardest-hit counties in 2018, reporting 1,035 cases of chlamydia per 100,000 people. Tennessee also had the nation’s 11th highest rate of gonorrhea infections, though the Clarksville area rate wasn’t as troubling.

To get tested, make an appointment at one of Clarksville’s clinics. For example, The Montgomery County Health Department provides free STD testing and other health care services.

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Choose the STD testing option you’re most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctor’s orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you think you might have an STD, it’s best to get tested. STDs don’t go away if you ignore them; they’ll just get worse and could grow into more serious health consequences. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to issues like infertility and more serious infections. You can also spread STDs to sexual partners if you have an untreated infection.

Ask your health care provider for STD testing recommendations or follow CDC recommendations for STD testing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

You can request specific STD tests or a full panel. An STD clinic can recommend tests based on your sexual health and symptoms.

A routine STD panel may include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV 1 and 2
• Syphilis

A full-panel STD test adds:

• Herpes (oral, genital)
• Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Clarksville, TN?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing.

Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

Do I Need an Appointment for Testing in Clarksville, TN?

Appointment policies vary by location, so call ahead or check the clinic website before you head in for a test. Some clinics or testing centers accept walk-ins or have same-day or next-day appointments.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Clarksville, TN?

Your STD test results time will depend on the test. Some clinics offer rapid HIV testing, which can offer results in less than 30 minutes. Bacterial STD testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) takes several days to get results, while viral STD testing (HPV, herpes, or HIV) results can take just one to two days.

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

The Montgomery County Health Department offers free, confidential STD testing if you’re a Clarksville resident. You can visit the health department to get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. These tests are provided on a walk-in basis only. The health department also sponsors a number of related healthcare services, including pap tests, birth control counseling, and pregnancy testing.

330 Pageant Lane Clarksville, TN 37040, 931-648-5747
Website

The Matthew Walker Community Health Center provides comprehensive healthcare services to all Clarksville residents, even if you are uninsured or underinsured residents. Its primary care services include immunizations and physical exams, as well as a variety of screenings, including mammograms, pap tests, and STD testing. The center provides testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, and it also offers conventional HIV blood tests. Appointments are required. The center accepts TennCare and most private insurance plans, and for uninsured clients, it offers sliding scale fees and help applying for health insurance coverage.

230 Dover Road Clarksville, TN 37042, 931-920-5000
Website

Located in nearby Nashville, this health center is operated by Planned Parenthood. It provides an array of reproductive healthcare services, including testing and treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and other common STDs. It also offers rapid HIV testing, which allows you to get your results in as little as 10 minutes. In addition to its STD services, Planned Parenthood provides Pap tests, pregnancy testing, and testicular cancer screening. Appointments can be booked online or over the phone. The clinic accepts many insurance plans and provides discounts for eligible uninsured patients.

412 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard Nashville, TN 37203, 866-711-1717
Website

Nashville CARES is a nonprofit organization that provides many services to people at risk for or living with HIV. Drive-thru testing for both HIV and hepatitis C is offered every Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments aren’t required, and you’ll receive your HIV test results in five minutes and hepatitis C results by the end of the day. The organization also offers free in-home HIV testing kits. In addition to its testing services, Nashville CARES offers free condoms and help accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

633 Thompson Lane Nashville, TN 37204, 615-259-4866
Website

Nashville’s Hope Clinic for Women offers a wide variety of reproductive healthcare services. Women can contact the clinic for annual health exams, pap tests, and contraception counseling. The clinic also provides low-cost testing and treatment for several common STDs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and genital warts. You should call or text the clinic to book an appointment. Parking is limited, so the clinic recommends arriving early.

1810 Hayes Street Nashville, TN 37203, 615-321-0005
Website

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed September 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed September 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed September 2021