Ulta Lab Tests

Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel

The Sexual Health & STI Screening Essential Lab Panel includes 3 tests and 5 biomarkers to support focused screening for common sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis. It uses molecular testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, hepatitis C antibody testing with reflex RNA confirmation when indicated, and RPR testing with reflex titer and confirmatory testing for syphilis screening support.

Varied, Serum
Phlebotomist
Sexual Health Panel, STI Screening Panel, STD Testing Panel, Private STI Panel, Confidential STD Panel, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Panel, Complete STI Panel, Sexual Wellness Panel, New Partner Screening Panel

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: ChlamydiaNeisseria gonorrhoeae RNA TMA, CT/GC APTIMA®, CT/GC TMA, CT/NG APTIMA®, CT/NG TMA, Hologic

Chlamydia Trachomatis

This test is looking for evidence of infection by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. About 75% of infected women and 50% of infected men have no symptoms; some may experience only mild symptoms. For women, symptoms, if they occur, include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and an abnormal vaginal discharge. For men, symptoms include pus or milky discharge from the penis and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) or of the rectal area (proctitis). Both sexes can experience painful or frequent urination.

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

The test is looking for presence of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 700,000 people in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. While many men with gonorrhea will experience symptoms, most women do not, or will mistake gonorrhea symptoms for a bladder or other vaginal infection. For men, symptoms usually appear within 2 to 5 days of infection but can take up to 30 days. Women who experience symptoms usually do so within 10 days of infection.

Also known as: Anti HCV, HCV Antibody

Hepatitis C Antibody

The Hepatitis C Antibody Test, sometimes called the Anti-HCV Test, looks for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus. Antibodies are chemicals released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected.

Signal To Cut-Off

Also known as: Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) with Reflex to Titer and Confirmatory Testing, RPR Diagnosis with Reflex to Titer and Confirmatory Testing

Rpr (Dx) W/Refl Titer And

*Important Information on Lab Test Processing Times: Ulta Lab Tests is committed to informing you about the processing times for your lab tests processed through a national lab. Please note that the estimated processing time for each test, indicated in business days, is based on data from the past 30 days across the 13 laboratories for each test. These estimates are intended to serve as a guide and are not guarantees. Factors such as laboratory workload, weather conditions, holidays, and the need for additional testing or maintenance can influence actual processing times. We aim to offer estimates to help you plan accordingly. Please understand that these times may vary, and processing times are not guaranteed. Thank you for choosing Ulta Lab Tests for your laboratory needs.

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel panel contains 3 tests with 5 biomarkers .

Overview

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel is designed for people who want a focused first-step sexual health screening panel for several important sexually transmitted infections.

This Essential panel includes testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis. These infections may not always cause obvious symptoms, so testing can help provide important information for personal health, partner health, and provider-guided follow-up.

This panel includes both direct infection testing and antibody/reflex-based testing. Reflex testing means the laboratory may automatically perform additional testing when certain initial results meet specific criteria. When reflex testing is performed, additional charges may apply.

This panel does not include HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, trichomonas, urinalysis, urine culture, or female-specific vaginal infection testing. Customers who want broader coverage may consider the Advanced or Comprehensive Sexual Health & STI Screening panels.

Why Order This Panel?

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel may be helpful for people who want a practical first-level STI screen after a new partner, possible exposure, routine sexual health checkup, or before beginning a new relationship.

This panel may help provide insight into:

  • Chlamydia infection
  • Gonorrhea infection
  • Hepatitis C antibody status
  • Hepatitis C RNA confirmation when reflex criteria are met
  • Syphilis screening support with RPR
  • Syphilis titer and confirmatory testing when reflex criteria are met
  • Common STI screening needs in a focused, lower-tier panel

This Panel May Be Helpful For People Who

  • Want a focused STI screening panel
  • Have had a new sexual partner
  • Want screening before a new relationship
  • Have possible STI exposure
  • Want routine sexual health testing
  • Have symptoms such as burning with urination, discharge, pelvic discomfort, genital irritation, or sores
  • Want testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis
  • Prefer a smaller entry-level panel before choosing a broader STI panel

What This Panel Helps Evaluate

This panel helps evaluate selected biomarkers and infection markers related to:

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Hepatitis C exposure
  • Active hepatitis C infection confirmation when reflex criteria are met
  • Syphilis screening
  • Syphilis activity and confirmatory testing when reflex criteria are met
  • Focused sexual health screening

Which Tier Is Right for Me?

Essential Lab Panel

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel is best for people who want a focused first-step screen for several common and important sexually transmitted infections. It includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis testing.

Choose Essential if you want a smaller, focused panel for common STI screening.

Advanced Lab Panel

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Advanced Lab Panel is best for people who want broader infectious disease screening and more complete sexual health coverage. This may include additional markers such as hepatitis B testing, HIV testing when included in the selected panel, urinalysis, or other infection-related tests depending on the panel configuration.

Choose Advanced if you want more coverage than the Essential panel.

Comprehensive Lab Panel

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Comprehensive Lab Panel is the broadest option. It may include expanded STI, viral hepatitis, urine health, blood health, metabolic, and reflex-based testing depending on the panel design.

Choose Comprehensive if you want the broadest STI and sexual health screening review.

Tests Included and Why They Matter

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Molecular Testing

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common bacterial sexually transmitted infections. They may cause symptoms, but they can also be present without obvious signs. Molecular testing helps detect genetic material from these organisms and is commonly used for STI screening.

Chlamydia/Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA

This test uses transcription-mediated amplification, or TMA, to detect RNA from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

This test is included because chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most commonly screened sexually transmitted infections. They may cause symptoms such as burning with urination, abnormal discharge, pelvic discomfort, testicular discomfort, or genital irritation, but many infections may be asymptomatic.

Testing can help support timely provider-guided treatment, partner notification, and follow-up when results are positive.

Hepatitis C Screening and Reflex Confirmation

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can affect the liver. Some people may not know they have been exposed because symptoms may be absent or mild. This panel includes hepatitis C antibody testing with reflex RNA confirmation when indicated.

Hepatitis C AB with Reflex to HCV RNA, QN, PCR

This test begins with a hepatitis C antibody screen. If the antibody result meets reflex criteria, the lab may automatically perform HCV RNA quantitative PCR testing to evaluate whether hepatitis C viral RNA is detected.

This test is included because antibody testing can help identify possible past or current exposure to hepatitis C, while reflex RNA testing can help clarify whether active viral infection may be present.

Reflex Test Notice: If reflex HCV RNA testing is performed, additional charges may apply. Reflex testing is performed by the laboratory based on the initial result and the test’s reflex rules.

Syphilis Screening and Reflex Confirmation

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can progress through stages and may cause a wide range of symptoms. Screening can help identify possible infection and support follow-up with a licensed healthcare provider.

RPR, Diagnosis, with Reflex to Titer and Confirmatory Testing

RPR is a blood test used as part of syphilis screening. If the RPR result meets reflex criteria, the laboratory may perform a titer and confirmatory testing.

This test is included because syphilis can sometimes be present without obvious symptoms, and RPR testing can support provider-guided evaluation and treatment decisions when results are reactive.

Reflex Test Notice: If reflex titer and confirmatory testing are performed, additional charges may apply. Reflex testing is performed by the laboratory based on the initial RPR result and the test’s reflex rules.

Professional Reflex Testing Notice

Some tests in this panel include reflex testing. Reflex testing means the laboratory may automatically run additional tests when an initial result meets specific criteria.

This panel includes reflex testing for:

  • Hepatitis C AB with Reflex to HCV RNA, QN, PCR
  • RPR with Reflex to Titer and Confirmatory Testing

When reflex testing is performed, additional charges may apply. Reflex results can provide important follow-up information, but they should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare provider.

Related Biomarker Patterns This Panel May Help Identify

This panel may help identify or support provider-guided review of:

  • Chlamydia infection
  • Gonorrhea infection
  • Hepatitis C antibody reactivity
  • Hepatitis C RNA detection when reflex testing is performed
  • Syphilis screening patterns
  • Syphilis titer and confirmatory patterns when reflex testing is performed
  • STI exposure concerns requiring treatment or follow-up
  • Partner notification and retesting discussions when appropriate

Professional Safety and Interpretation Notice

This panel is designed to support sexual health and STI screening. It does not diagnose every sexually transmitted infection and does not replace evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider.

A negative result does not always rule out recent exposure, especially if testing occurs too soon after possible exposure. Some infections have window periods before they can be detected. Positive or abnormal results should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, partner notification, retesting recommendations, and follow-up care.

Do not delay medical care if symptoms are present.

How to Prepare for This Panel

Preparation may vary depending on the test and specimen type. In general:

  • Follow all specimen collection instructions carefully.
  • Bring a valid ID to the collection site.
  • For urine-based STI testing, follow the lab’s urine collection instructions.
  • Avoid urinating shortly before urine collection if instructed by the lab.
  • Bring a list of symptoms, exposure timing, medications, recent antibiotics, and prior STI history to discuss with a healthcare provider.
  • If testing after a recent exposure, ask a healthcare provider whether repeat testing may be needed due to window periods.

What Happens After You Receive Your Results?

After results are available, a licensed healthcare provider can help interpret what the results may mean and whether treatment, confirmatory testing, partner notification, or retesting is recommended.

If chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, or syphilis results are positive or abnormal, follow-up care is important. Customers should avoid relying on lab results alone without provider interpretation.

Additional Panels to Consider

Customers interested in the Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel may also consider:

  • Sexual Health & STI Screening - Advanced Lab Panel
  • Sexual Health & STI Screening - Comprehensive Lab Panel
  • Sexual Health & STI Screening - Female Add-On Panel
  • HIV Screening Lab Test
  • Hepatitis B Screening Lab Panel
  • Hepatitis C Screening Lab Test
  • Urinalysis and Urine Culture Lab Panel
  • Women’s Wellness Lab Panel
  • Men’s Health & Vitality Lab Panel
  • General Wellness Lab Panel

FAQ: Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel

What is the Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel?

The Sexual Health & STI Screening - Essential Lab Panel is a focused STI screening panel that tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis. It includes molecular testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, hepatitis C antibody testing with reflex RNA testing when indicated, and RPR syphilis testing with reflex titer and confirmatory testing when indicated.

What STIs are included in this Essential panel?

This panel includes testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and syphilis.

Does this panel include HIV testing?

No. This Essential panel does not include HIV testing. Customers who want HIV testing should consider a panel that includes HIV or order HIV testing separately.

Does this panel include herpes testing?

No. This Essential panel does not include herpes testing. Customers who want HSV-1 or HSV-2 testing should consider an expanded STI panel or herpes-specific testing.

Does this panel include hepatitis B testing?

No. This Essential panel includes hepatitis C testing but does not include hepatitis B testing. Hepatitis B testing may be included in higher-tier panels or ordered separately.

What does reflex testing mean?

Reflex testing means the lab may automatically perform additional testing if the first result meets certain criteria. This panel includes reflex testing for hepatitis C RNA and syphilis titer/confirmation when indicated.

Will reflex testing cost extra?

Yes. If reflex testing is performed, additional charges may apply. Reflex testing is based on the laboratory’s testing rules and the initial result.

Why are chlamydia and gonorrhea tested together?

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are commonly screened together because they can cause similar symptoms and may occur without obvious symptoms. Molecular testing can help detect these infections from the appropriate specimen type.

When should I test after possible STI exposure?

The best testing time depends on the infection and the timing of exposure. Some infections may not be detectable immediately. A healthcare provider can help determine whether repeat testing is needed.

Can this panel diagnose every STI?

No. This panel does not test for every STI. It is a focused Essential panel. Additional testing may be needed for HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, or other infections depending on symptoms and exposure history.

What should I do if my result is positive?

Review the result with a licensed healthcare provider. Treatment, partner notification, confirmatory testing, and retesting may be recommended depending on the infection and result pattern.

Important Note

This panel is designed to help evaluate selected biomarkers and infection markers related to sexual health and STI screening. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease by itself. Results should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare provider.

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