We go beyond birth control to make essential aspects of sexual healthcare private, convenient, and just better.

That’s why we offer tests for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

How to get STI testing

  1. Go to the MyHealth Portal  
  2. Login by entering your net ID and password.
  3. Click on “Secure Messages” > “New Messages”
  4. Select “I want STI testing.”
  5. Complete and submit a questionnaire.

A nurse will review your questionnaire typically within 24 hours and contact
you via secure messaging with instructions on how to schedule a lab appointment 

Cost for STI Testing

Price List

STI testing is NO COST for UC-SHIP
And low cost for everyone else.

Click on the price list for the cost 
for GAP and WAIVED

You might need further testing!

Did you know that chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect your rectum and throat, too? 
Peeing in a cup won’t find every infection!

  • If your penis has been in a mouth, vagina or anus, you need a urine test
  • If you’ve had a penis in your vagina or shared insertive toys, you need a vaginal swab
  • If you’ve had a penis in your mouth, you need a throat swab*
  • If you’ve had a penis in your anus or shared insertive toys, you need a rectal swab*

Rectal and throat chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is done at an appointment.
Go to the MyHealth Portal to schedule an STI screening appointment 

Be safe & use condoms

Image
What is a condom?

What is a condom?

Condoms are small, thin pouches that cover the penis during sex.
Condoms provide great protection from both pregnancy and STIs.

They’re easy to use and easy to get.
 Locate a
Condom Dispenser

FAQs

UCSB SHS is committed to protecting medical, mental health, and personal information about you (“Health Information”). We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your Health Information and can only disclose information to your parents with your written permission.

Any charges to your BARC account will have a generic label of STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES to protect your privacy. 

If you are accessing care outside of UCSB and you are on someone else’s insurance
plan in CA and are concerned about privacy, you can get free birth control and STI testing through a program called Family PACT that is available locally at the Neighborhood Clinic and Planned Parenthood 
You can also call your insurance provider and complete a Confidential Communications Request.

Visit MyHealthMyInfo.org for more information

Not necessarily. While symptoms always vary, it is most common to not have any symptoms.

The first thing you should know is that you are normal and that sexually transmitted infections are very common.
You are still awesome!
To stay healthy, it is very important that you follow your treatment plan.
It is also important to tell your partner(s) so that they can get themselves tested.
 

Before Sex: For HPV, you can get all three doses of the HPV vaccine. There are also vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. For HIV, you can take PrEP as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
During Sex: Use barriers, such as external and internal condoms, dental dams and capes. Don’t forget the lube!  
After Sex: For HIV, you can take PEP as prescribed within 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV.
 

Testing recommendations 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend yearly chlamydia testing of all sexually active young people.

At Student Health, chlamydia and gonorrhea are done together in one test.

  • This test may be performed on a urine specimen for people with penises or on a swab for people with a vagina.
  • If asymptomatic (no symptoms), this test may be requested online via MyHealth Portal.
  • If symptomatic or exposed, make an appointment to be evaluated by a clinician at Student Health.  This can be done through MyHealth Portal or by calling the appointment desk 805-893-3371.
  • It takes 1-3 weeks after exposure to show accurate results. Results come back within a week.
     

Routine herpes testing is not recommended for those without symptoms. Blood tests are done only in rare circumstances.
If you are having symptoms of herpes, your provider can swab the lesions (sores) to look for the virus. Results come back within one to two weeks.
 

The CDC does not recommend routine screening for HPV in young people.

  • For people with a cervix, a Pap test may be used to check for changes related to HPV.
    In some cases, if the pap smear shows these changes, the pap test may also include an HPV test.
  • Please discuss HPV testing and HPV vaccine with your provider.
     

The CDC recommends HIV testing for everyone ages 13-64 at least once in their lifetime.
It can take 3-12 weeks for results to be accurate - this is called the "window period".

Check out the CDC's HIV Testing page for more information on how often you should get yourself tested. 

  • This test is a blood test. 
  • If asymptomatic (no symptoms), this test may be requested online via MyHealth Portal.
  • If symptomatic and/or exposed you will need to make an appointment to be evaluated by a clinician at Student Health. This can be done through MyHealth Portal or by calling the appointment desk 805-893-3371. 
  • It can take between 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure to show accurate results. Results generally come back within one week. 
     

The CDC states all sexually active people can get syphilis through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom with a partner who has syphilis. If you are sexually active, have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider.
Ask them if you should get tested for syphilis or other STIs. Everyone who has sex should get tested for syphilis.
Having multiple sexual partners or engaging in high-risk sexual activities increases your risk, but if you’re having sex with one person, you should still get tested.

  • If asymptomatic (no symptoms), this test may be requested online via MyHealth Portal.
  • If symptomatic and/or exposed you will need to make an appointment to be evaluated by a clinician at Student Health. This can be done through MyHealth Portal or by calling the appointment desk 805-893-3371. 
  • It can take between 6-12  weeks after exposure to show accurate results. Results generally come back within one week. 
     

If you would like alternate site testing, you will need to make an appointment with a provider.
To do so, please call 805-893-3371 or schedule through the MyHealth Portal.

Visit Health-e-Messaging to request a chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and/or syphilis test online or get more information about any of the above tests. If you would like to be seen by our medical staff, please contact our Appointment Desk (805-893-3371) to schedule an appointment.

Good to know!

Emergency contraception, condoms, lube, and other safer sex supplies are at the Student Health Pharmacy. 

Prices are student-friendly!