How painful is the STD exam for guys?

Most of us gays are on PREP so we get tested every prescription renewal (every 3 months). You do you own throat and anal swabs. There are no dick swabs anymore - just a urine test and of course, a blood test. I don't know of anyone having a swab shoved up their urethra.

I haven't had one myself, but I know that at least here it really depends on what's the purpose of the test. For a general STD test nowadays it can often be done from urine or with a pretty thin swab, which is not too bad. On the other hand, if you go to the urology department and you need swabs for culture, it can be quite awful. I know one hospital here where they use 3 swabs of increasing thickness, which is supposed to be quite unpleasant. But this is not a standard STI test. It's used on symptomatic patients to confirm the pathogen and antibiotic sensitivity.

I have never been examined for an STD. However, at the first appointment of my current PCP, within the first few minutes of her coming into the exam room, she tells me she offers all new patients an STI exam. I tell her I don't think that's necessary and we move on to the next topic. However, as soon as we change subjects, I start thinking about and wondering what exactly that procedure would have been like and what her process was for the exam. Urine test, blood sample, visual & manual exam, swab, ... I have no idea. I have no regret how I answered the question, but I do like to think back and ponder on that missed opportunity.

Like some have said my one and only test was 25 years or so ago, I was in college had an std scare. I went to the college clinic, they offered it free. I was taken back by a nurse into a curtained off area with a chair used to draw blood. She pulled the curtain and asked if I was here for an std test I said yes. She said take a seat as she got the testing supplies. She drew my blood and told me to stand up and lower my pants to swab my urethra. It was extremely uncomfortable to say the least that rough swab is so irritating to the urethra.

Personally no I have not had the exam done. But I have heard a lot of horror stories about this. I also realize that some of what I heard was probably exaggerated. When I was in the navy back in early eighties the ship I was stationed on ported in the Philippines. First time for just a few days the second time on the way back to the States for thirty days. Both times a few days after we were back underway the clap line began. It would start at the medical deck and end at the mess deck. I was stationed on an aircraft carrier, the line was rather long. There were guys in my division that ended up in the line and none of them had anything good to say about the exam. All of them mentioned the long Qtip and how bad it burned when it was stuck all the way up their penises. Not the exact words most of them used at the time to describe their experience shortly after they were back from seeing the medical officer. Hearing them talking about it was enough to make me realize it was definitely something I never wanted to have to experience for myself.

I had this done in college and it was terribly painful. But I have to say I later found out that the doctor was a well known predator and had a thing for doing unnecessary procedures and testing and often did them without regard to comfort. In talking to others I think a lot has to do with how far they insert the swab or collection device. I was laying flat on the table for this and at first it was very irritating but then he pushed farther down and began twirling while pulling back out, I pretty much saw stars at that point. I've mostly heard that usually they only go in as little as possible to collect a sample and withdraw right away causing just the annoyance that I experienced at first.

I'm a very sexually active trans woman, which means I'm high risk and have the same equipment most of you have.

They don't do rutine urethra swabs anymore, its a urin collection, throat swab, rectal swab, and blood test, depending on what you do.

They might do a urethra swab if they suspect something specific but I get tested every three months and have been getting tested since 2023 and never experienced it.

I’ve had urine, blood and a swab test done in the past as part of a general screening. The swab is not pleasant at all but it’s tolerable. It does cause considerable shrinkage tho!

The most I've ever presented with was one case of anal gonherrea, yeah of all the options, btw it sucks as much as it sounds it would.

It was confirmed with my normal std testing. Anal and oral swabs, urine, blood and sometimes a finger stick if it was a PrEP visit other wise HIV and all are done via a blood draw.

I've heard of urethral swabs being done in the past and would presume if you presented with active discharge from the penis it might still be done. Don't think it's as popular anymore but might be necessary to isolate strain for proper antibiotic treatment. Sounds like something an infectious disease doc might doore than a standard STD screening.

Having a long cotton swab inserted to the hilt up your prick is indeed uncomfortable. I was then diagnosed with a bad yeast infection, which was also very highly unpleasant.

I believe they do not do that test any more but I had it done over 20 years ago had to go to the STD clinic for a check up . It was but embarrassing as the Dr was a elderly gentleman with his young female nurse had to explain why I need to be examined and whether is was female or male

Then few test , blood taken then told to take my trousers and pants of and lay down on the examination table , where the Doctor examined my balls and cock , picking up magnifying glass and small comb , combed through my public hours. Then went to draw and pulled out small packed, as he was opening it informed that this might sting a but the test us required

Picking up what looked like long ear wax pod , grabbed hold of my limb cock and tried to insert it but my cock had other ideas and would not go where he wanted it to , blaming me for not keeping still , eventually it got inside my pis hole and slide it down a couple of times , it certainly was a bit of a shock .

But had to be done , once that was done told to dress and results would be ready in couple if days .

When I thought I was going to have a test for an infection, I was fearing the swab based on what I had heard from someone else. Fortunately it didn't happen. I did have to get a midstream urine test which felt a bit uncomfortable, but far less than a swab would have been.

It is as painful as getting a blood test and giving urine sample, because it is how it is done. Penile swabs are thing of the past. Last time I had a swab was in 2017, I think, since then blood tests only. And I used to do tests at least every 3 months.

Gonorrhea/chlamydia testing can be done off of the urine in men very reliably; routine urethral swabbing is not routinely done anymore. BV/trichomonas/yeast is also kind of hard to do a urethral swab for, so if its a concern you usually just treat for it at that point. If your provider wants to do HIV/hepatitis/syphilis testing, those are blood tests.

I had it done once a long time ago in my teens after a girl I had some fun with told me a week later that she had tested positive for an STD. I called my pcp and explained the circumstances and they told me to come in.

I was called back and asked to give a urine sample then put in a room where the nurse drew blood then gave me a sheet and told me to undress from the waist down. The doctor (middle aged female) that I seen for most of my life came in and asked some questions about why I thought I needed to get tested. I explained everything to her and she agreed I should get tested. She asked if there was any “back door play” and I said yes, I let her insert a finger while we were fooling around. She looked in my mouth and took a swab, then had me lie back and uncovered my genitals and looked all around the area. At this point I was starting to get hard. She had me stand up and face the table and bend over and inspected all around my rectum, then told me she was going to swab my rectum before inserting her finger to feel for any lumps. I felt a dry swab push into my ass then get pulled out. She then inserted her finger with lubricant and withdrew. I wiped myself up and apologized for being fully erect. She said no worries it will actually make the swab easier. She had me lay on my back again, boner pointing to the ceiling and grabbed my penis then stuck a small swab into my urethra. As she pushed and twisted I instantly went flaccid in her hand.

Everything came back negative but after that I definitely didn’t recommend having to get tested.

I had the urethrae swab once; and it was painful at the beginning when he inserted the swab into the tip of the penis. I think after that it is now a blood test?

Worked in a med check, I had to do the swab insertion, looked very uncomfortable. Tears was the clue.

I went and had a full STI test done last week. All I had to do is give a sample of blood, urine. Nothing else was required. No visual inspection or undressing. I got the results back within 7 days, everything negative.

I did my PrEP STD testing yesterday. Blood, urine, a throat swab and rectal swab (self done and optional, they test all areas you use). No pain, simple blood draw. Test results this morning, all clear and just started injections for PrEP and got a bottle of Doxy PEP.

Always relieved after a clean STD experience (only had one positive in 57 years). Much more relaxed knowing I have PrEP in oars for future encounters. AMA

I have had urethral swab during STI screening. It is a different sensation if you are not used to it I never found it too painful.

These does not much at all. Just pee in a cup and get your blood drawn. Although I do hate needles

Not painful at all. My testing experience is just like Joe467. As a gay male I also go through the same testing. The rectal swab is totally comfortable, especially considering I'm a bottom and used to using that area for much more vigorous activities 😉

@Running7 did you do your own rectal swab or did someone do it to/for you?

I have only ever had urine tests to check for STIs in the urethra. Except for once. Doctor said that there was a shortage of urine kits and therefore they were doing swabs. It was a self swab so I just got directions on how to do it just like you always do for the rectal swab.

Didn’t hurt but don’t know if I did it right.

In real life, I did get a swab test because I was showing symptoms of an STD. I am not going to lie, it hurt like hell. Granted, I was already inflamed but it was enough to convince me to never want it again, and I do not do such swabs when giving play exams. It was god awful and do not wish it upon my worst enemy.

@drmyk2 My health provider swabs my rectum for me saying something along the lines that they have to sample all necessary surfaces while passing the swab in and kinda swirling it around before removing it and placing the swab in a tube for testing. The swab is inserted after they spread my buttocks and visually examine my anal area.

I had it done it college. It lasted about 5 seconds and they were the most painful 5 seconds of my life. Brutal, and I guarantee you that I will refuse it no matter what for the rest of my life.