Where to Get Affordable STD Testing in Boston
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Sexually transmitted disease rates are on the rise in the United States, with a combined 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis recorded in 2016. According to a new report from the CDC, that’s the highest number ever.
Chlamydia is the most common STD both nationally and in Massachusetts, with 1.6 million and 26,807 cases, respectively. Rates drop off significantly for gonorrhea (4,980 local cases) and syphilis (1,447 local cases). All three of these conditions, the CDC notes in a statement, can be easily treated with antibiotics—but you can’t be treated for something you don’t know about.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active individuals undergo routine STD testing to stay knowledgeable and healthy. Many times this can be done at your gynecologist or PCP’s office, but there are also a number of STD testing centers around Boston, many of them free. Here’s where to go if you need STD testing in Boston:
Planned Parenthood: It’s a go-to sexual health clinic for a reason. Planned Parenthood offers affordable STD testing, counseling, and treatment for all genders, and many tests are covered by insurance.
1055 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, plannedparenthood.org.
Massachusetts General Hospital STD Unit: Everybody, regardless of insurance status, is welcome at this Mass General clinic. It offers walk-in hours at its primary Boston location and its Chelsea Health Center.
55 Fruit St., Boston, and 151 Everett Ave., Chelsea, massgeneral.org.
Project TRUST: This Boston Medical Center-affiliated clinic offers free drop-in STD screenings, no questions asked. Specialized services are available for LGBTQ individuals and those struggling with substance abuse.
721 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, bostonprojecttrust.com.
Fenway Health: Fenway Health offers STD testing at its own community health centers as well as through partnerships with AIDS Action and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition. Call a counselor at 617-267-0159 to find the location and option best for you.
Multiple locations, fenwayhealth.org.
South End Community Health Center: Through its Support Wellness program, the South End Community Health Center offers culturally sensitive testing, management, and care for STDs. Call or make an appointment online.
1601 Washington St., Boston, sechc.org.
The Clinic at BAGLY: The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth runs its own free youth sexual health clinic, which does not require insurance or proof of identity. The clinic can also make referrals to mental and primary healthcare professionals as needed.
14 Beacon St., Boston, bagly.org.
Project SHINE: This East Boston Neighborhood Health Center initiative offers comprehensive HIV screening and care to members of the community. You can also stop in for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C testing.
79 Paris St., East Boston, ebnhc.org.
The X Clinic: Codman Square Health Center’s X Clinic offers free walk-in testing on Monday through Thursday evenings. Nobody will be turned away, and French, Spanish, and Creole translators are available on-site.
637 Washington St., Dorchester, codman.org.
Boston HAPPENS: Boston Children’s Hospital runs this program, which offers free HIV and STD counseling and treatment to young people between the ages of 13 and 24. In addition to services offered at the hospital, Boston HAPPENS also works with a number of community partners.
333 Longwood Ave., Boston, childrenshospital.org.
Partners Urgent Care: An affiliate of Mass General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Partners Urgent Care offers STD testing and care at its variety of Greater Boston locations.
Multiple locations, partnersurgentcare.org.
