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If you’re concerned about chlamydia, an at-home test provides fast, discreet results. Learn how STI testing can protect you and others, and see our recommended options.
- Most affordable: Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test | Skip to review
- Best for couples: LetsGetChecked At-Home STD Tests | Skip to review
- Best for medical support: Nurx At-Home STI Testing | Skip to review
- Best for quick results: myLAB Box At-Home Sexual Health Tests | Skip to review
If you’re concerned about a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like chlamydia, an at-home test is a smart and convenient first step. It can quickly give you the information you need to take action.
Chlamydia is treatable, but complications may not be. Read on to learn about how an at-home chlamydia test can give you the information you need.
Chlamydia is easily treatable.
If you test positive, chlamydia can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Many people don't have symptoms.
Chlamydia is asymptomatic, so people don't seek testing and may be spreading the STI.
Chlamydia can be transferred through sex.
The STI can be transmitted vaginally, orally, anally, and without ejaculation or penetration.
• $150 to $220 + $14.50 fee without insurance
When researching at-home chlamydia tests, we considered the following:
- Methods used for collection: Test collection methods may involve saliva, urine, or blood through a finger-prick.
- Speed of results: You may need to wait 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 reliable results. - 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 most people were happy with their experience.
One of the most significant concerns of chlamydia is its ability to go undetected. It might not cause visible side effects, but that doesn’t mean it cannot lead to seriously negative health effects. Its hidden threat can have a lasting impact.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over
The disease can affect 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.
Because many people don’t experience symptoms, and as a result, don’t seek testing, the actual number of cases is likely much larger.
For pregnant people, chlamydia can pass to their baby during vaginal delivery. Chlamydia in babies can result in conditions like pneumonia and conjunctivitis.
Chlamydia can spread vaginally, orally, or anally between sexually active individuals. The bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, can be transferred without ejaculation or even penetration during sexual contact. For example, the STI can transfer through 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 transfer the bacteria.
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
- pain in the mouth, throat, or both
- redness in the mouth or throat
- swollen lymph nodes
- possible fever
Even if a person does not have any symptoms, the infection can still pass from them to others.
Chlamydia’s symptoms overlap with gonorrhea, so you may not know which condition you have. It’s also possible to have both conditions at once.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of chlamydia, it is important to use barrier methods, such as condoms, when you have sex. If you’re sexually active, undergoing regular STI testing can also help identify an infection early and prevent it from transferring to sexual partners.
Testing for chlamydia is done through a urine sample or a specimen swab from the vagina. You can get tested at a doctor’s office or at a health clinic, which may offer free or low cost testing, without insurance. You can also test yourself with an at-home chlamydia test like the Nurx At-Home STI Test.
If you test positive, chlamydia is easily treatable with oral antibiotics.
Learn about online treatment options for STIs, including chlamydia.
Getting tested is the only way to be sure you don’t have an STI. Just because you feel healthy 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 summarize: If you’re having sex, you should regularly get tested for STIs.
Using an at-home test, such as the Everlywell At-Home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test or these full-panel STD tests, may be a good way to get peace of mind. Getting tested can not only put your mind at ease, but it can also help you in being a more informed sexual partner.
Be sure to ask your partners for their status before engaging in sexual contact. While it may feel intimidating, asking can help you in the long run and present a sign of respect for one another.
Learn about your options for free and low cost STI testing.
Yes. At-home tests for chlamydia, like the MyLabBox Chlamydia + Gonorrhea Test, require a vaginal, throat, or anal swab, or a urine sample, just like you would give in a doctor’s office. In some instances, testing at home may even be quicker than waiting for in-person testing. At-home urine tests may be the easiest to use.
Independent data collected from a 2013 study indicates that vulvovaginal swab tests you administer yourself are close to 100% accurate. Other analyses, such as those from a 2023 study, found that at-home swab tests were 94.1% accurate, and urine tests were 86.1% accurate.
Every test is different. To be on the safe side, check the manufacturer’s accuracy claims and data before you buy a test.
The incubation period for chlamydia is 7 to 21 days. This is how long it can take for your body to produce antibodies after it recognizes the infection.
If you test before this period is over, it’s possible to get a negative result, even if you do have the infection.
Chlamydia is a serious condition that can have long-term health effects for 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. 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.