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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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- Best budget-friendly option: EverlyWell | Skip to Review
- Best for medical attention: LetsGetChecked | Skip to Review
- Best in-lab testing: Lemonaid Health | Skip to Review
- Best test for self-collection: Nurx | Skip to Review
- Best for quick results: MyLAB Box | Skip to Review
- Best for complete STI panel: STD Check | Skip to Review
- Best discreet option: Priority STD | Skip to Review
- Best for people who want to get pregnant: QuestDirect | Skip to Review
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common than you may realize. According to the
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs that can infect all sexes.
People with chlamydia might not have symptoms, making it a silent infection that can threaten their reproductive organs and cause extreme damage if undetected.
However, the disease is curable with medical attention, and testing is the first step.
Chlamydia is an STI that’s contracted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus.
The bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis, can be transferred without ejaculation or even penetration during sexual contact. For example, the bacteria can be transferred by sharing sex toys that have not been properly cleaned or covered with a new condom with each use. Or, getting semen or vaginal fluid in one’s eye can also spread infection.
Babies can contract chlamydia during pregnancy if the birth parent lives with it, which could result in issues like pneumonia and conjunctivitis.
Teens and young adults have the highest rates of chlamydia. And in 2020 these age groups accounted for
The
However, men can also contract, carry, and spread the disease to others.
Risks
One of the most significant dangers of chlamydia is its ability to go undetected. It might not cause visible side effects, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Its hidden threat can have lasting impacts, mostly for women.
The disease can wreak havoc on people with vaginas by causing pelvic inflammatory disease, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancies, and potentially causing infertility. For those with penises, it can cause epididymitis and infertility.
Symptoms
When symptoms are present, they can often take several weeks to appear.
Those with female reproductive systems who are experiencing chlamydia may notice:
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- pain during sex
- a low-grade fever
- spotting between periods
- a burning sensation when urinating
- abnormal discharge that’s yellowish and has an unusual odor
Those with male reproductive systems who are experiencing chlamydia may notice:
- discharge from their penis
- painful urination
- swollen testicles
- rectal bleeding
Chlamydia’s symptoms overlap with gonorrhea, another bacterial STI. This makes it hard to decipher which infection you might be experiencing.
It’s possible to have chlamydia and gonorrhea simultaneously, but one doesn’t cause the other.
Getting tested is the only way to be sure you’re STI-free. Just because you feel healthy, it doesn’t mean you’re infection-free.
The
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, some factors that increase the risk of infection include:
- having a new sexual partner
- having more than one sexual partner
- having a sexual partner who is seeing other partners
- previously having an STI
- not using condoms consistently outside of a mutually monogamous partnership
To keep it simple: If you’re having sex, you should regularly get tested for STIs. Getting tested can put your mind at ease while also making you a more informed sexual partner.
You should also ask your partners for their status before engaging in sexual contact. While it may feel intimidating, building up the courage to ask can help you in the long run and relay a sign of respect for one another.
When researching at-home chlamydia tests, we kept the following in mind to determine the best tests on the market:
- Methods used for collection: Tests may involve a finger-prick blood collection, saliva, or urine collection.
- Speed of results: You may need to wait for longer than a week for some options. We prioritized tests that return results in a few days.
- Lab certification: Opting for labs with
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification helps assure results are reliable. - Ease of purchasing: It’s important that navigating the website is easy and buying tests is straightforward.
- Cost: Testing kits shouldn’t break the bank. We included tests at a range of price points.
- Reviews: We looked at what users had to say about the tests and included options where the majority of people were happy with their experience.
| Test | Price | Collection type | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| EverlyWell | $69–$169 | self-collection | a few days |
| LetsGetChecked | $99–$249 | self-collection | 2–5 days |
| Lemonaid Health | $53.16 | lab collection | 3–5 business days |
| Nurx | $150–$220 out of pocket, $75 with insurance | self-collection | 7 business days |
| myLABbox | $79–$399 | self-collection | 2–5 days |
| STDcheck | $59–$259 | lab collection | 1–2 days |
| Priority STD | $89–$259 | lab collection | 1–3 days |
| QuestDirect | $139–$379 | self-collection | 3–5 days |
With so many options out there, you might be wondering how to choose the best at-home test for your needs. Here’s what to consider:
Pricing
More expensive tests may include testing for more than just one STI. Or the company may offer additional services, like post-testing counseling and free medication delivery, and they may even offer pregnancy tests.
Lab or self-collection
Do you prefer to do everything from home? Or do you like the idea of going in-person to a lab. Not everyone is comfortable taking samples, after all.
Sometimes, in-person testing can be faster since you don’t have to wait for a test to arrive in the mail.
Your symptoms
If you’re not sure your symptoms are STI-related and you want to talk with a doctor in addition to getting testing, an in-person doctor’s visit may be the best choice for you. A physical exam may be needed to get a diagnosis more quickly.
It’s important to talk with a doctor if:
- You test positive for chlamydia.
- Your sexual partner(s) test positive for chlamydia.
- You have persistent symptoms but test negative for chlamydia.
- You have multiple partners and would like to perform an STI screen
Some STI testing services also provide medical treatment for STIs, so you can get tested and receive treatment without setting foot in a doctor’s office.
Still, if you have questions about STIs or want to talk about anything else related to sexual health, it’s a good idea to talk with a doctor.
How often should I get tested?
The
Sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea annually. In cases of frequent sexual encounters with multiple partners, the CDC recommends testing every 3 to 6 months.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of an STI, you should get tested immediately.
Are STI tests accurate?
How long should I wait before getting an STI test?
The incubation period for chlamydia is 7 to 21 days. If you’ve had sex with someone who’s positive, or if you’ve had a sexual encounter with a new partner, your results can be detected within the incubation period.
It’s recommended to get tested 3 months after treatment to make sure you’re in the clear.
Are at-home STI tests better or worse than in-person tests?
While at-home tests are effective, in-office tests can remove factors, like poor sample collection, which can impact your results. In-office testing has the added benefit of evaluating and testing for other STIs as needed.
For people who are anxious to visit an office in person or those with transportation issues, an at-home test can be a convenient step in getting treatment.
Are STI tests covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans cover STI testing through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There’s a high chance you can get STI testing for free or at a reduced price with your health insurance.
Testing for STIs, like HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, are considered preventive health benefits that many plans cover under the ACA.
STI testing can also be free or low-cost with Medicaid, Medicare, and other government programs. Check your state as well; they may have free or low-cost STI testing available.
The coverage of at-home STI tests varies, so it’s best to speak with your doctor or insurance company about your options. Some clinics, like Planned Parenthood health centers, provide free or low-cost STI tests, depending on your income.
Chlamydia is a serious condition that can have long-term effects on the health of you and your sexual partners. STIs should be treated with seriousness and transparency.
It’s wise to get tested regularly when you’re sexually active to keep you and your partner(s) safe.
Getting tested is both healthy and responsible. An in-office test is a reliable way to learn if you have chlamydia or other STIs. But at-home testing is an accessible and fairly accurate way to get the answers you need.
Protect your health and peace of mind by making a plan to get tested in-person or with a private at-home test.
Jillian Goltzman is a freelance journalist covering culture, social impact, wellness, and lifestyle. She’s been published in various outlets, including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Fodor’s Travel Guide. Outside of writing, Jillian is a public speaker who loves discussing the power of social media — something she spends too much time on. She enjoys reading, her houseplants, and cuddling with her corgi. Find her work on her website, blog, Twitter, and Instagram.
