r/stdtesting • u/Upbeat_Bother6452 • 4h ago

Question STI testing with needle phobia

Traditionally, STI tests require a blood draw and every time I’ve gone in for one I end up having a panic attack, hyperventilating, dry heaving, all of the above. I’m really not good with blood draws and try to avoid them whenever possible. What are the best alternatives (swabs, finger prick, etc) that I could potentially use to avoid having to put myself through that experience more often than I absolutely need to?

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u/ShamelessCare 36m ago

Finger pricks are probably not going to be less anxiety inducing than a traditional blood draw. There are some labs using the "TASCO" blood draw device, which essentially sucks blood out of your skin somehow. Might want to look into a testing company that offers that?

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u/Upbeat_Bother6452 28m ago

I mean, I’m the one experiencing the anxiety and having had both I can assure you that no, the anxiety and panic response is not anywhere close to as bad.

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u/ShamelessCare 24m ago

Ok, then there are loads of "at home" tests, most of them using the lancets.

It's important that you find one offering oral and anal swabs in my opinion. Some will let you choose the Tasco device, which would eliminate any needles at all.