MyLab Box Review Summary
Summary
MyLab Box provides at home lab testing, including for STDs, at a competitive price without a doctor’s visit. While these tests are as accurate as those taken in the clinic, they are not covered by insurance.
This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.
January 7, 2021
Table of Contents
7 Facts from our MyLab Box Review
- MyLab Box location: Los Angeles, CA
- Products: 30+ unique testing options for wellness, nutrition, fertility, STDs, and more
- Ordering: you can order all MyLab Box products from mylabbox.com. STD tests for men and women are also available at Amazon.com and Walmart
- How it works: Customers order tests online, collect and mail their sample, and get their results online in 1-5 days
- Reports: Lab certified results for STDs, wellness & nutrition, drug tests, fertility, and infections like COVID-19
- MyLab Box cost: STD tests cost $79 for most individual tests – $399 for a 14 panel test; other tests cost from $49-$199
- Complimentary products: Nebula Genomics (Whole Genome Sequencing with weekly updated reports and data exploration tools. CLIA-approved labs and can be used in consultation with your doctor)
MyLab Box Introduction
This is a review of MyLab Box, a company founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, California by Lora Ivanova. It is the longest-running service that provides testing from the comfort of your home for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that is available in all 50 states. Their initial goal was to make STD testing easier, more affordable, and accessible to customers in their own homes. Today, the company sells over 30 unique health testing service options that provide lab results for things like wellness, nutrition, infections, and fertility, in addition to STDs.
The CDC recommends that sexually active individuals get tested for STDs yearly. MyLab Box aims to give customers peace of mind knowing they can get tested without the hassle and potentially awkward conversations with medical professionals.
MyLab Box accepts FSA and HSA payment cards. However, they do not allow for insurance payments.
Taking a MyLab Box Test
Before reviewing MyLab Box tests, let’s take a look at how to get started.
Customers order their kit on MyLabBox.com and receive their testing kit in the mail. MyLab Box claims that customers can collect their sample in as little as 5 minutes. Included instructions guide customers on how to collect and return their sample. Depending on the type of test, customers provide either a nasal swab, urine sample, vaginal swab, or blood sample via finger prick. They then return their sample in a pre-addressed and prepaid envelope provided.
Results are available via a secure HIPAA-compliant portal 1-5 days after the lab receives the sample. If a test is positive, customers can receive a free phone consultation with a MyLab Box physician affiliate. In some cases, treatments such as antibiotics can be sent to a customer’s pharmacy. Availability of consultation and treatment options vary
Review of MyLab Box Tests
MyLab Box offers 4 categories of testing kits (STDs, wellness & nutrition, drug tests, and fertility) as well as a COVID-19 test. Results are comparable to those obtained at a doctor’s office or clinical laboratory. All test components and any test that falls under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) purview have been reviewed. However, most MyLab Box tests have not been reviewed as the administration does not review laboratory-developed tests such as tests offered by MyLab Box. All testing is performed at MyLab Box’s partner CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratories, allowing patients to use the results in consultation with a physician.
Review of MyLab Box STD test
At home STD test kits are MyLab Box’s main focus. In this review, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are used interchangeably. Most diseases, including those that are sexually transmitted, start as infections. MyLab Box currently offers tests for 15 different infections via a selection of 18 different test kits that can be completed entirely from home and come with a free consultation if a customer receives a positive result. In 2018, the CDC reported increases in STDs for the fifth straight year, reaching an all time high. As an example, tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis saw 19%, 63%, and 71% increases respectively.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active adults get STD testing annually. Mild symptoms in positive individuals, combined with the awkwardness associated with discussing your sexual health with a professional, have largely contributed to many people skipping this screening. MyLab Box aims to improve public health and eliminate this stigma with at home tests that get more people screened and treated.
Multi-test boxes
Multi test boxes are available which contain different combinations of tests. These options are designed to provide comprehensive and also targeted testing options in one box. All multi test kits except for the V-Box offer both male and female versions (V-Box is designed for females only). All boxes contain syphilis and gonorrhea tests, which are 2 of the most common STIs. MyLab multi test boxes are temporarily unavailable in New York state.
| Tests included | Cost | |
| Safe Box – 5 panel STD test, highest risk factors | Chlamydia Gonorrhea HIV (I & II) Trichomoniasis | $189 |
| Uber Box* – 8 panel STD test, as thorough as clinical testing | HIV (I & II) Hepatitis C Herpes Simplex Type II Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis | $269 |
| Total Box – 14 panel STD test – the most comprehensive | HIV (I & II) Hepatitis C Herpes Simplex Type II Syphilis Chlamydia & Gonorrhea (3-site) Trichomoniasis Mycoplasma genitalium human papillomavirus – HPV (optional) | $369 (without HPV) $399 (with HPV) |
| V-Box – 5 panel vaginal health – common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge | Yeast BV Trich Chlamydia Gonorrhea | $189 |
| Boomer Box – screening test for common STDs and Hepatitis C for older adults | Chlamydia (genital) Gonorrhea (genital) HIV I/II Hepatitis C | $189 |
| PrEP Box – Screen for all STDs required to start and continue on PrEP (HIV prevention) | HIV Hepatitis B (not included in quarterly panel) Hepatitis C (not included in quarterly panel) Syphilis Chlamydia (rectal and genital) Gonorrhea (rectal, oral and genital) Creatinine Pregnancy test (women only) | $289 (Baseline panel) $399 (3-month quarterly) |
*Most popular option and the best deal. For 2 kits, customers can order a Love Box – Couples Kit and save 10% on each kit.
Individual tests
If customers are only interested in a single STI, customers can purchase individual testing kits. Currently, only Trich and Mycoplasma Genitalium tests are available in New York state.
| Test | Cost | MyLab Box Notes |
| Chlamydia + Gonorrhea | $79 | Chlamydia + Gonorrhea are 2 of the top 4 new STIs |
| 3-Site Chlamydia and Gonorrhea | $179 | Includes tests for 3 sites (oral, anal, and genetial) |
| Genital Herpes | $79 | Genital Herpes is the 2nd most common STD |
| HIV | $79 | In clinical trials, the MyLAB Box at-home HIV test system was 100% sensitive and 100% specific |
| Trich | $79 | Trich is the 3rd most common STI |
| Cervical cancer screening using HPV | $79 | HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. This test is for women 30 years of age and older |
| HPV Women 30+ | $79 | HPV is the #1 most common STD. This test is only available for women 30 years of age or older. It should not be ordered by men of any age or by women under 30 |
| Mycoplasma genitalium | $79 | First to offer at home screening for this new and important STI |
| Syphilis | $79 | Syphilis is the 8th most common STD |
| Hepatitis B | $95 | Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause liver damage |
| Hepatitis C | $79 | An estimated 2.7 to 3.9 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis C |
Each product page provides an extensive overview of the condition(s) tested for, including definitions, symptoms, when to get tested, and how to prevent spread.
Review of MyLab Box General Health Tests
MyLab Box offers tests for multiple healthcare needs. The rapid tests are designed to return test results in 10 minutes or less, much like an at home pregnancy test.
| Test | Cost |
| Heavy metals | $89 |
| Gluten sensitivity + celiac | $199 |
| Rapid anemia | $59 |
| Rapid flu | $59 |
| Rapid UTI | $59 |
| Rapid strep | $59 |
| Vitamin D | $89 |
Drug Tests
At home drug tests that determine the type and approximate amount of the most common legal and illegal drugs a person has taken.
| Tests included | Cost | |
| 5 panel drug test | 1. Cocaine 2. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine 3. Opiates 4. Phencyclidine or PCP 5. THC (marijuana) | $49 |
| 10 panel drug test | 1. Cocaine 2. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine 3. Opiates 4. Phencyclidine or PCP 5. THC (marijuana) 6. Oxycodone 7. Methadone 8. Barbiturates 9. Benzodiazepines 10. Diazepam | $59 |
| Comprehensive drug test | 1. Phencyclidine or PCP 2. THC (marijuana) 3. Benzodiazepines 4. Buprenorphine 5. Cocaine 6. Amphetamines/Methamphetamine 7. Oxycodone 8. Methadone 9. Opiates 10. Barbiturates 11. Ecstasy 12. Propoxyphene Fentanyl Tramadol (Ultram) | $69 |
Fertility Tests
MyLab Box offers 3 fertility tests for men and women.
| Test | Cost | MyLab Box Notes |
| Testosterone | $69 | Testosterone testing for men having concerns with fertility |
| Male fertility | $89 | Intended for men to conveniently and routinely measure sperm count |
| Ovarian reserve | $139 | Egg count testing determined by hormone levels in the blood |
Review of MyLab Box COVID-19 Viral Detection Test
The MyLab Box COVID test detects COVID-19 with a saliva sample. This is different from most COVID-19 tests that test with the more invasive nasal swab. This test is approved by the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for conducting COVID-19 testing. Results are available in as little as 3-4 days after ordering, allowing for shipping the sample overnight to the MyLab Box laboratory. The COVID-19 test must be ordered by a physician. It is currently available in all 50 states.
Interested in COVID-19 travel tests? Kurix Health and Project Screen offer special testing meeting requirements for departing and arriving in the UK.
MyLab Box Reviews
Reviews of MyLab Box Women’s STD test on Amazon: 4.2/5 stars*
Reviews of MyLab Box Men’s STD test on Amazon: 3.3/5 stars*
MyLab Box reviews on Trustpilot: 3.6/5 stars
*There are currently only 11 and 15 reviews for the women and men STD tests on Amazon respectively.
On Trustpilot, positive reviews focused on the speed of the process and the discrete nature of the tests. Negative reviews mainly indicated that they had been sent kits without all the necessary supplies.
On the MyLab Box website, most customers ranked their products with 5/5 starts. The majority of the customers that gave lower ratings (3-4 stars) cited that they wished the company would offer reduced prices for returning customers. Reviews can be found under each product’s ordering page.
Review of MyLab Box Privacy
MyLab Box is serious about customer privacy when it comes to discreet packaging and shipping. All collection kits are delivered to the customer’s home in non-identifying shipment containers, with only the fulfillment center on the return address. The envelope to return the sample is equally discreet.
According to the MyLab Box privacy policy, they do not share personal information except in certain cases, such as fulfillment and shipping services that are necessary to provide the ordered services. Positive cases of STDs are required to be reported to the customer’s Department of Health in some states. The information is used for aggregated statistical reporting and disease tracking. The law forbids Departments from sharing information with third parties.
myLAB Box bases its privacy standards and requirements on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and uses HIPAA web security protocols and data storage systems, along with SSL encryption, to protect customer data.
In case of concerns, customer service can be contacted via phone at 213-290-4571 or email at customerservice@mylabbox.
Review of MyLab Box Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customers can test for STDs in the privacy of their own home
- More affordable than most in-person lab tests
- Free phone consultation with a MyLab Box doctor if a result is positive
- Accuracy is comparable to in-person diagnostic tests
- Fast lab results in 1-5 days
Cons
- Does not accept health insurance
- Does not test for oral herpes, ureaplasma or gardnerella
- Only available in the United States
Nebula Genomics
We finish our MyLab Box review with a comparison to Nebula Genomics.
Nebula Genomics offers the most affordable 30x Whole Genome Sequencing service that sequences 100% of your DNA. MyLab Box uses blood spots to detect STD biomarkers and does not sequence DNA. These tests answer different questions about health and wellness. Thus, biomarker tests and DNA tests should be seen as complementary to each other rather than alternatives.
Neither MyLabBox nor Nebula Genomics can diagnose disease. However, our Whole Genome Sequencing data is of the highest quality and can be used by physicians and genetic counselors.
Individuals who believe they are at risk for a genetic disorder consult a healthcare provider before taking DNA sequencing tests. In coordination, patients can use at home lab tests like MyLab Box to screen for current health problems, which they can then confirm with their doctor.
| MyLab Box | Nebula Genomics | |
| Testing method | Biomarkers | DNA; Whole Genome Sequencing (all 20,000 genes and regulatory regions) |
| Reporting | STDs and other health conditions | Genetic predispositions |
| Ancestry reporting | No | Yes |
| Aid for making medical decisions | No, but CLIA-certified lab data can be used in consultation with physicians | No, but data is of the highest quality and can be used by physicians and genetic counselors |
| Cost | $79 – $399 | $0 – $299 |
Another service you might be interested in is STDcheck.com, an on-site testing company with a focus on privacy and accessibility. Or, you can check out MicroGenDX, which offers advanced technology for a wide range of infections.
Interested in learning more about other at home lab tests? You should also check out these other reviews:
- BlueChew (at home diagnosis and prescriptions for erectile dysfunction)
- empowerDX (women’s, men’s, heart, mental health, and more)
- Everlywell (wide range of health and wellness tests)
- imaware (at home blood tests for wide range of health conditions)
- InsideTracker (biomarker health tests and optional DNA test)
- LetsGetChecked (wide range of health and wellness tests)
- LifeDNA (nine reports based on SNP analysis)
- Nurx (sexual health testing and at-home prescriptions)
- Paloma Health (at-home thyroid testing and consultations)
- Personalabs (over 400 lab tests taken at local labs)
- Rightangled (UK based DNA and biomarker testing)
- RxHomeTest (biomarkers and genetic tests)
- Verisana (hormone, gut, and STD tests plus many more)
For gut health, you should explore:
- Biohm (gut health, including bacteria and fungi)
- Ixcela (blood test for gut health and personalized recommendations)
- Sun Genomics (gut microbiome testing and personalized probiotics for adults, children, and infants)
- Thryve (personalized probiotics)
- Viome (gut health and microbiome testing)
You may also be interested in virtual health care such as that offered by PlushCare, Teladoc, and Lemonaid Health!
Did you like our MyLab Box review? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
