STD Testing & Treatment for Men

Many STD/STIs have no obvious symptoms or, if any, are very mild; therefore, it’s very important to learn about STD/STIs. Yet no matter how minor the symptoms are, STD/STIs can still be harmful to you and to your sexual partner(s).

It’s important to seek treatment for sexually transmitted diseases as early as possible in order to restore your health as well as to stop the spread of the disease. If you have ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, RealOptions advises that you get tested. Not only do we provide STD/STI testing and treatment, but we also educate you on how sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted. Our services ensure you understand the importance of awareness and early detection.

Walk-ins are welcome, and testing is available with or without insurance. If a question can’t wait, our 24/7 helpline is available at 1-408-866-9645.

How STDs Spread and Why You Can’t Always Tell

Transmission isn’t always obvious, and that’s exactly why it’s worth understanding. There are many kinds of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, but a few basic facts apply across nearly all of them:

• Almost all STIs that can spread through vaginal sex without a condom can also spread through oral and anal sex without a condom.
• All STIs are treatable, and many are curable. Others can be managed with treatment.
• Many people with an STI don’t know they have one because infections often cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
• You can get an STI from someone who does not know they are infected.
• You can’t tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.
• They can also spread through intimate sexual contact, including skin-to-skin contact.

Supporting Sources: CDC: Know the Facts | CDC: STIs Overview

At RealOptions, we routinely test for gonorrhea and chlamydia using a urine sample (for uninsured or self-pay patients), blood test (for insured patients at Quest Diagnostics), or through a vaginal swab (for Well Woman patients). If the test is positive for an infection, then we will provide you with treatment and explain how your partner can be treated.

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STD Screening Guidelines for Men: When and How Often to Get Tested

At risk for an STD? Most STDs don’t come with obvious symptoms, which is exactly why routine testing matters, not just testing when something feels off.

Per CDC’s Talk. Test. Treat. guidance for patients:

• HIV testing: Sexually active men ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine care.
• Men who have sex with men: test at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and at least once a year for HIV.
• Multiple or anonymous partners: those with multiple or anonymous partners should test more frequently, every 3 to 6 months for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
• Shared injection drug equipment: anyone who shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
• After treatment: follow-up testing may be recommended for some infections because reinfection can occur.

These recommendations are a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all rule: the CDC notes that screening guidance is a source of clinical direction, not a prescriptive standard.

Comprehensive STD Testing, From Individual Tests to Full Panels

Ask about our men’s STD testing options. We use Quest Diagnostics for the lab work and will provide you with the required lab request form on your first visit.

Full-panel STD tests available:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
• HIV

If patients are seeking further testing, our nursing team refers them to their local public health department.

Blood, Urine or Swab: Your STD Testing Options

At RealOptions, we offer several ways to test for STDs depending on the infection and your symptoms. Here’s what to expect from each method.

Urine Testing

At RealOptions, we routinely test for gonorrhea and chlamydia using a urine sample for uninsured patients and through blood testing at Quest Diagnostics for insured patients. This is the standard testing method offered at our clinics for these infections. Our clinical team will explain what to expect during the visit and answer any questions you may have about the testing process.

Blood Testing

Several STDs, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, are diagnosed through a blood sample. Your provider may test for more than one at once depending on your risk factors and symptoms.

Urethral Swab Testing

A urethral swab collects a small sample that is sent for laboratory testing and may be used to test for chlamydia or gonorrhea, depending on the test your provider recommends. CDC guidance recognizes both urine and swab specimens as appropriate for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing.

RealOptions does not provide urethral swab testing. Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing at our clinics is performed using a urine sample or sent to Quest Diagnostics for a blood sample.

Have questions about STD testing or which test may be right for you? Our team can help you understand your options.

Get STD Testing Information

What STD Symptoms Look Like in Men

Many STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, often cause no symptoms at all in men, which is exactly why testing matters more than waiting to feel something.

When symptoms do occur, according to Mayo Clinic’s overview, common signs of STDs in men may include:

• • Discharge from the penis
  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Sores, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals
  • Pain or swelling in one or both testicles
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Rash, including on the trunk, palms, or soles of the feet
  • Swollen lymph nodes, including in the groin

  Remember: symptoms alone aren’t a reliable way to know your status; testing is. Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have an STI, as many can have other causes. A clinician at our clinic can evaluate your symptoms and help determine whether STI testing is appropriate.

  For information about symptoms and testing specific to women, visit our STD Testing for Women page.

  Affordable STD Testing With or Without Insurance

  RealOptions offers affordable STD testing and treatment for men, making inexpensive STD testing a convenient option for those with or without insurance who have high deductibles, want confidentiality, and/or whose doctors won’t prescribe them the lab testing they want to have done.

  A $20 office visit fee applies whether or not you have insurance. Insured patients pay only the $20 office visit fee. The CDD fee and STI testing fees apply to uninsured or self-pay patients only.

  Please refer to the table below for a clear breakdown of what insured and self-pay patients can expect to pay:

  Fee / Test	Insured Patients	Uninsured / Self-Pay Patients
  Office visit fee	$20	$20
  CDD fee	Not applicable	$4
  Chlamydia / Gonorrhea	Covered through insurance	$18
  HIV	Covered through insurance	$10
  Hepatitis B	Covered through insurance	$7
  Hepatitis C	Covered through insurance	$8
  Syphilis	Covered through insurance	$6
  Full Panel	Covered through insurance	$49

  Insured patients receive a lab requisition form to bring to Quest for urine and blood draw collection. Uninsured and self-pay patients have a urine specimen collected in-house and receive a lab requisition form to bring to Quest for blood draw collection.

  What to Expect at Your STD Testing Visit

  Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are optional. After you check in, you’ll have a chance to talk with a nurse or Optimal Health Coach about why you’re getting tested, any symptoms or recent concerns, and which tests may be appropriate for you. You can also ask questions before testing begins.

  Coverage	Where Samples Are Collected
  Insured	Lab requisition for urine and blood collection at Quest Diagnostics
  Uninsured / Self-Pay	Urine collected at the clinic; requisition for blood work at Quest

  Plan for up to 45 minutes from arrival to checkout. Most lab results are available within 3 to 4 business days.

  Confidential Testing, From Visit to Results

  RealOptions abides by strict privacy practices and follows the law in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Our patients can expect the utmost in privacy. When visiting one of our clinics, testing remains confidential; your results will be handled securely through your online portal and privately disclosed with one of our nurses via phone and/or certified letter as needed.

  Prefer to plan ahead? Schedule your visit at a time that works for you.

  Request an Appointment

  STD Cure for Men: What Happens If Your Test Is Positive

  One of RealOptions’ nurses will contact you confidentially, by phone or certified letter, to talk through your results and next steps. Many STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, are fully curable with the right medication, and others, like HIV, are manageable with ongoing treatment, per the CDC’s overview of STIs. You’ll also be told if or when to retest.

  And if a diagnosis brings up bigger questions — how to talk with a partner, how you’re feeling, RealOptions’ Optimal Health Coaches for Men offer support on communication and relationships too.

  Walk-In STD Testing Clinic Across the Bay Area

  You can access a range of low to no-cost STD services at one of our four Bay Area testing locations. We offer walk-in and by-appointment services with or without insurance, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. We also have a 24/7 After Hours Helpline if your questions can’t wait at 1-800-712-4357.

  Central San Jose

  • Call: (408) 978-9310
  • Visit: 1671 The Alameda, Suite #101, San Jose, CA 95126
  • Hours: M–F, 9 AM–5 PM
  • Learn more about STD testing in Central San Jose.

  East San Jose

  • Call: (408) 272-5577
  • Visit: 12 N. White Road, Suite #1, San Jose, CA 95127
  • Hours: M–F, 9 AM–5 PM
  • Also serves patients near Alum Rock — see STD testing near Alum Rock.

  Oakland

  • Call: (510) 891-9998
  • Visit: 400 30th St, Suite #401, Oakland, CA 94609
  • Hours: M–F, 9 AM–5 PM
  • Patients from nearby Berkeley can also get STD testing near Berkeley.

  Union City

  • Call: (510) 487-4357
  • Visit: 33523 Western Ave, Union City, CA 94587
  • Hours: M–F, 9 AM–5 PM
  • Also an option for STD testing near Fremont or STD testing near Hayward.

  Book Your Appointment

  What Patients Say About Our Care

  Care for Your Sexual, Reproductive, and Overall Health

  You owe it to yourself to be safe. Don’t ignore the important step of being tested.

  We are here to help. The caring staff at RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics provides confidential (private) consultations and is sensitive to your needs and concerns.

  As a comprehensive reproductive health care clinic, we understand that your physical and sexual health is just one component of your life. We are devoted to providing services with a holistic view and treatment of the whole person by considering social and mental factors along with physical symptoms. Our trained Optimal Health Coaches for Men are available to share tools and information with you to help you build healthy relationships and live your best life.

  Reviewed by our licensed nursing staff: Tasha Keirns, RN, BSN
  Last medically reviewed: September 30, 2026

  Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and does not replace a one-on-one consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

  Frequently Asked Questions About STD Testing for Men