STD Testing in Milwaukee, WI

Don’t wait, get tested. Regular STD screenings should be part of your health routine, and it’s never been easier or more affordable to protect your own sexual health, and that of your partners. Just visit a health center in your area for confidental testing and leave with peace of mind.

Here’s one big reason why your sexual health as a Milwaukee resident is not somehting you want to take lightly: Milwaukee County ranked 20th in the nation by number of reported cases of Cchlamydia. For gonorrhea, Milwaukee County ranked 16th.

The good news is that there are many STD screening options available. For instance, you can even get free testing, treatment, counseling, and referrals for STDs from The Milwaukee Health Department.

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 Milwaukee, WI?

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 Milwaukee, WI?

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 Milwaukee, WI?

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 Milwaukee Health Department offers free testing, treatment, counseling, and referrals for STDs, including confidential HIV testing and partner services. The Keenan Health Clinic provides these services on a walk-in basis to residents of Milwaukee and surrounding communities. Available STD testing includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes. The clinic also offers HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines. You may visit the clinic on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., or Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

3200 North 36th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53216, 414-286-3631
Website

Holton Street Clinic offers PrEP for uninsured individuals; free screening for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis; and free HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccinations. It performs HPV and herpes treatments for a $20 fee. For a $40 fee, the clinic provides comprehensive STD testing/screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, same-day HIV, trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes, and mycoplasma genitalium. Clinic hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; for Friday and Saturday, call for the schedule. You must call for an appointment.

3251 North Holton Street Milwaukee, WI 53212, 414-264-8800
Website

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin operates the Wisconsin Avenue Health Center and six other clinics throughout Milwaukee that provide HIV testing and STD testing and treatment. Testing is offered for herpes, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, and trichomoniasis by appointment. Available STD prevention services include male and female condoms, dental dams, and STD/safer sex education. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or lower fee scale. The Wisconsin Avenue Center’s hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2207 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53233, Multiple Milwaukee locations, 844-493-1052
Website

MLK Heritage Health Center offers free rapid HIV testing, counseling, medication management, primary medical care, and social services through its Early Intervention Program. It also provides PrEP/PEP, HPV, and hepatitis A and B vaccines, rapid testing and treatment for hepatitis C, and testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes. It’s preferred that you make an appointment; low-cost services are based on a sliding scale fee. Center hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2555 North Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Drive Milwaukee, WI. 53212, Multiple Milwaukee locations, 414-372-8080
Website

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers provides free chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and rapid HIV testing. It also provides HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines, PrEP, PEP, and safer sex and harm reduction education. The clinic accepts insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare and offers low-cost, fee-based services with a sliding scale if you are uninsured. Center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

1032 South Cesar E. Chavez Drive Milwaukee, WI 53204, Multiple Milwaukee locations, 414-897-5645
Website

All services at BESTD Clinic are free, including HIV testing with 20-minute results and STD testing with results in about one week. It offers testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes, and treatment for genital warts and trichomonas for men and transgender/non-binary men and women. It also provides free HIV testing and resources and other sexual health services for women. You will receive HIV counseling and PrEP discussions/referrals. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are suggested. Clinic hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

1240 East Brady Street Milwaukee, WI 53202, 414-272-2144
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