About Our Chlamydia Test
Purpose of the test
The purpose of testing is to determine if you have a chlamydial infection.
Because most people with chlamydia don’t experience symptoms (between 50%-70%), doctors rely on screening tests to detect the majority of infections. Screening tests attempt to diagnose health conditions before you experience symptoms. While doctors may screen for chlamydia on its own, STD screening often involves testing for several STDs at once.
When symptoms associated with chlamydia are present, diagnostic testing is used to confirm or rule out chlamydia as the cause of your symptoms. Because chlamydia can cause similar symptoms to gonorrhea, and often occurs alongside other STDs, your doctor may also recommend testing for other common sexually transmitted infections.
What does our chlamydia test measure?
Chlamydia testing looks for evidence of infection with the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. There are several types of tests that can be used to detect chlamydia.
- Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT): This is the preferred method for detecting a chlamydia infection. This type of test detects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be performed using a urine sample or a swab of fluid from a potential infection site, such as the urethra, vagina, rectum, or eye.
- Rapid NAAT testing: Some health care settings offer rapid chlamydia tests that use NAAT technology to provide results faster than standard laboratory testing. These tests may produce results in about 30 to 90 minutes and are typically performed using urine samples or vaginal swabs.
- Cell culture: Although rarely used today, it may be used in special situations: suspected treatment failure, legal cases (e.g., sexual child abuse), or inconclusive NAAT testing. However, most routine chlamydia testing is performed using NAAT because it’s highly accurate and widely available.
When should I get a chlamydia test?
As most people infected with chlamydia don’t experience symptoms, doctors rely on screening to detect most cases of chlamydia. Screening recommendations vary based on anatomy, age, pregnancy status, sexual behaviors, and other risk factors.
Regular screening for chlamydia is recommended for several groups:
- Women and anyone with a vagina: Those who are sexually active and under the age of 25 should be tested for chlamydia annually, while those aged 25 and older should be screened regularly only if they are at an increased risk of contracting chlamydia.
- Pregnant people: Testing is recommended for pregnant people under age 25 and for those 25 and older who have an increased risk of infection. At-risk people may be retested during the third trimester. Anyone diagnosed with chlamydia should have a follow-up test about four weeks after completing treatment and be retested within three months.
- Men and anyone with a penis: Those who are gay, bisexual, or have sex with other people with a penis should be tested at least once a year. Testing every three to six months may be recommended for those with ongoing risk. Routine screening is not generally recommended for other people with a penis unless they have an increased risk for infection.
- People diagnosed with HIV: Sexually active people living with HIV should be screened for chlamydia during their initial HIV evaluation and at least annually afterward, depending on risk and local infection rates.
Certain factors increase the risk of contracting chlamydia and may affect how often screening is recommended. Risk factors include:
- A new sex partner
- Multiple sex partners
- A sex partner who has sex with others
- A sex partner diagnosed with an STD
Testing for chlamydia is more frequently conducted in asymptomatic people in settings where infection rates are high, which often includes correctional facilities, adolescent health clinics, the military, and sexual health clinics.
Diagnostic testing is recommended for anyone with symptoms of chlamydia or who has been exposed to an infected partner. Symptoms may appear several weeks after exposure and can vary depending on the site of infection. Possible signs and symptoms include:
- Burning during urination
- Increased need to pee
- Pus in the urine
- Abnormal yellow/gray discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum
- Vaginal bleeding after sex or pain during intercourse
- Itching/burning of vaginal area
- Abdominal pain, painful periods
- Pain, tenderness, or swelling in the testicles or scrotum
- Rectal pain
After treatment for chlamydia, retesting is recommended about three months later to check for reinfection.
Finding a Chlamydia Test
How to get tested
Chlamydia testing is usually ordered by a doctor. If you don’t have symptoms, a doctor can evaluate your risk and suggest an appropriate screening schedule. If you have symptoms of this infection, a doctor will order testing to diagnose or rule out chlamydia.
Testing for chlamydia can be conducted at a hospital, doctor’s office, health clinic, or community health program.
Can I take the test at home?
Testing is usually done by a doctor, but tests are available to detect chlamydia at home. Most at-home chlamydia tests are self-collection kits, which allow you to obtain a swab or sample of urine at home and return it to a laboratory by mail. If an at-home chlamydia test returns positive results, a doctor may suggest confirmation testing with a laboratory-based method.
How much does the test cost?
The cost of chlamydia testing varies based on many factors such as whether you have insurance and where the test is taken.
Chlamydia testing may be paid for by health insurance when ordered by a doctor. Because health plans vary, it’s important for you to discuss the cost of testing, including any copays or deductibles, with your health plan.
If you don’t have health insurance coverage, the cost of testing may include the price of the office visit and sample collection as well as technician fees. Testing may also be available for free or at low cost through community-based organizations and local health departments.
Taking a Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia testing is usually performed using a first-void urine sample or a swab collected from the site of potential infection. Urine samples are commonly used for genital testing in people with a penis. For people with a vagina, a vaginal swab is often the preferred sample type and may be collected either by the patient or a health care professional.
Before the test
Before taking a chlamydia test, follow any preparation instructions provided by your doctor or testing provider. Depending on the type of test, you may be asked to:
- Avoid urinating for one to two hours before providing a urine sample.
- Avoid vaginal creams, douching, or other vaginal products for about 24 hours before a vaginal or cervical swab test.
- Inform your health care provider if you’re taking antibiotics or other medications that could affect test results.
If you’re using an at-home testing kit, carefully read and follow all instructions provided.
During the test
The testing process depends on the type of sample being collected.
- Urine sample: You’ll be asked to urinate into a sterile container. The test typically requires a first-catch urine sample, which means collecting the first part of your urine stream.
- Swab sample: A health care provider may use a swab to collect fluid and cells from the area being tested. In some cases, patients may be instructed on how to collect certain swab samples themselves. Swab collection may cause brief discomfort, but the procedure usually takes only a few minutes.
After the test
Chlamydia testing doesn’t typically require recovery time or activity restrictions. However, because chlamydia can be transmitted to other people, it’s important to avoid having unprotected sex until you know for sure that you don’t have an infection.
If you receive a positive test result, treatment with antibiotics can usually clear the infection. Your provider may recommend notifying recent sexual partners so they can also be tested and treated if necessary. Follow-up testing may also be recommended to check for reinfection.