4 Best At-Home Chlamydia Tests in 2024
4 Best At-Home Chlamydia Tests In 2024
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If you're concerned about chlamydia, a home test provides fast, discreet results. See our reviews of tests from Everlywell, myLAB Box, Nurx, and LetsGetChecked.Com.
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 help put your mind at ease.
Use code "HEALTHLINE25" for 25% off.
Healthline's reviewThis easy-to-use, urine sample collection test checks for both chlamydia and gonorrhea with as much as 99% accuracy, according to Everlywell.
The duel testing, plus the option of speaking with a health care professional to discuss your results, and a the lower price point, earn our pick as at-home chlamydia test our pick as best overall.
If you get positive results for either infection, Everlywell can connect you to a medical professional in its network, at no additional cost. They will discuss your test results with you, and prescribe medication, as needed.
Every laboratory Everlywell uses is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified. This means the labs meet the standards to obtain both state and federal certifications.
You can learn more about Everlywell in our comprehensive review.
In addition to its at-home chlamydia and gonnorhea test, Everlywell also offers more comprehensive testing:
You can use your HSA or FSA account to pay for any Everlywell test. If you choose to test regularly, a reduced subscription rate is available.
Everlywell offers a membership plan for either $39 monthly or $449 annually. As a member, you can get credits toward future tests with each purchase. If you plan on using many tests, this may offer you an additional savings.
Everlywell tests are available online, and in retail stores including Walmart.
Pros & consUse code "HEALTHLINE25" for 25% off
Healthline's reviewLetsGetChecked offers three at home chlamydia test options:
LetsGetChecked also offer more than 30 at-home testing options, covering a wide range of health conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid levels, and fertility.
After placing your order, your test will arrive in discreet packaging. The Simple 2 test only requires a small urine sample taken first thing in the morning. Return your sample on the day of collection, and your results will be available 2–5 days after it reaches the lab.
If your test is positive, you can start a virtual consultation with a member of the LetsGetChecked medical team for $39. If you're a candidate for treatment, they will then send prescription medication directly to your home, or a prescription to your pharmacy.
If needed, they will also provide treatment for chlamydia or tricomoniasis to your partner for an additonal virtual consultation fee. There is no need to buy and wait for another testing kit.
LetsGetChecked's laboratories are CPA-approved and ISO-certified.
Learn more about LetsGetChecked in our comprehensive review.
Pros & consNurx provides three user-friendly, at home chlamydia tests that also test for other STIs. Each test kit includes free shipping in discreet packaging, and unlimited messaging with Nurx medical professionals. Unlike most other tests, Nurx provides access to its medical team whether you test postive or negative.
The Basics Covered Kit tests for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV. For those concerned about rectal or throat infections, we recommend taking the Healthy Woman Kit or Full Control Kit, which include throat or anal swabs. This all-encompassing level of testing may uncover an asymptomatic STI that would otherwise go undetected, and untreated.
Tests offered include:
Nurx is in-network for many health Insurance plans. If your plan is out of network or you're uninsured, you have the option of paying the out-of-pocket cost. The Basics Covered test kit costs $75 with insurance, along with a $15 medical consultation fee. You can also use your HSA or FSA card to pay for your test.
Tests are available through the Nurx website in most states.
Learn more about Nurx in our comprehensive review.
Pros & consWaiting for STI test results can be stressful. If you're anxious to get your results, myLAB Box delivers answers sometimes as quickly as 1 day after the sample is received, and up to 5 days.
The At Home Chlamydia Test + Gonnorhea Test is a standard urine test. This company also offers a Chlamhydia and Gonnorhea 3-site test that detects infection of the genitals, mouth, and rectum. Both tests take around five minutes.
MyLAB Box is certified by the CLIA and College of American Pathologists (CAP), making it a reliable testing company that meets nationwide standards.
If your result is positive, myLAB Box provides a free consultation with a physician who can help to answer any concerns you may have and provide a treatment plan.
MyLab Box also offers these STI testing options:
This and other MyLabBox tests are available online, and at Walmart and other retailers.
Pros & consWhen researching at-home chlamydia tests, we considered the following:
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 1.6 million cases in 2021.
Because many people don't experience symptoms and don't seek testing as a result, the actual number of cases is likely much larger.
People who are sexually active can transmit the STI vaginally, orally, or anally. The bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, can be transferred without ejaculation or even penetration during sexual contact. For example, the STI 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 transfer the bacteria.
Teens and young adults have the highest rates of chlamydia. These age groups account for two-thirds of new cases, according to CDC data.
The CDC also suggests young women are more prone to the STI, with 1 in 20 women between 14 and 24 years old estimated to have chlamydia. However, men can also contract, carry, and transmit the STI to others.
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.
RisksOne 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.
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.
Pregnant people with chlamydia can transmit the infection to their baby during vaginal delivery. Chlamydia in babies can result in conditions like pneumonia and conjunctivitis.
SymptomsWhen symptoms are present, they can often take several weeks to appear.
Those with female reproductive systems who are experiencing chlamydia may notice:
Those with male reproductive systems who are experiencing chlamydia may notice:
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.
PreventionTo 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 identify an infection early and prevent it from being transmitted to sexual partners.
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 CDC recommends sexually active women under the age of 25 get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea each year, regardless of symptoms.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, some factors that increase the risk of infection include:
To keep it simple: If you're having sex, you should regularly get tested for STIs. Using an at-home test, like the Everlywell At-Home Chlamydia & Gonnorhea 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, it also makes you 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 relay a sign of respect for one another.
Is there a way to test for chlamydia at home?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. Testing at home may even be quicker, in some instances, than waiting for in-person testing. At-home urine tests may be the easiest to use.
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. Testing at home may even be quicker, in some instances, than waiting for in-person testing. At-home urine tests may be the easiest to use.
Do rapid chlamydia tests exist?There are some rapid tests available for chlamydia that you can use at home. These tests provide positive/negative test results within around 15 minutes. They typically don't include the option of speaking with a healthcare professional.
If you test positive, you'll need to see a healthcare professional for follow-up testing and treatment.
The tests on our list are sample collection kits only, requiring you to send your sample to a lab, where it will be analyzed quickly and the results reported to you in 1-5 days.
There are some rapid tests available for chlamydia that you can use at home. These tests provide positive/negative test results within around 15 minutes. They typically don't include the option of speaking with a healthcare professional.
If you test positive, you'll need to see a healthcare professional for follow-up testing and treatment.
The tests on our list are sample collection kits only, requiring you to send your sample to a lab, where it will be analyzed quickly and the results reported to you in 1-5 days.
Is there a chlamydia self test?Yes. The at-home tests we've included in this list are self tests you administer to yourself manually at home.
In some instances, you'll need to return your test samples to a lab for analysis. Some tests also let you access results at home after taking the test.
Yes. The at-home tests we've included in this list are self tests you administer to yourself manually at home.
In some instances, you'll need to return your test samples to a lab for analysis. Some tests also let you access results at home after taking the test.
How accurate are self-administered chlamydia tests?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.
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.
What does chlamydia discharge look like?Chlamydia discharge is foul smelling, and looks white, yellow, or grey.
Chlamydia discharge is foul smelling, and looks white, yellow, or grey.
Can I buy a chlamydia test over the counter?Some major retailers, such as Walmart, carry at-home chlamydia tests. Check with your local pharmacy to see if it carries them, or if one can be ordered for you.
Some major retailers, such as Walmart, carry at-home chlamydia tests. Check with your local pharmacy to see if it carries them, or if one can be ordered for you.
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.
My Long Distance Boyfriend Claims He Didn't Cheat — Now I Have Chlamydia
Daisy is in a long distance relationship but he's been unfaithful in the past (Picture: Getty Images)'My boyfriend cheated on me twice, eight months into our relationship,' said Daisy*. 'But I forgave him.'
Daisy and her boyfriend are in a long distance relationship and travel around the world to see each other for a month or two at a time.
Six months after her boyfriend's infidelity, she tested positive for syphilis.
'Because I had forgiven him for the cheating, I forgave him for the syphilis,' Daisy wrote on Reddit.
'Then I travelled to see him again. When I left my country I got a full STD test and I was only positive for syphilis and negative for everything else…'
However, upon her return home Daisy responsibly got another STD test to make sure her syphilis was gone… and she got a shock.
Getting tested for STDs regularly even if you don't have symptoms is important (Picture: Getty Images)'The doctor told me that I am now testing positive for chlamydia. In short, I was negative for chlamydia when I left my country to visit him and then I was positive for chlamydia when I returned home from visiting him,' she said.
Daisy's boyfriend is adamant he hasn't been unfaithful again, but she's not so sure.
'He swears over his life and families' lives that he 100% did not cheat on me again. He swears that he didn't even kiss another person. He promises me he is 100% truthful this time,' she explained.
'How is this possible if he didn't cheat on me again?'
Infidelity and STIs are, unfortunately, two very common pitfalls of dating in this day and age, and Daisy's dilemma certainly isn't an easy one.
Let's start with the science.
Dr. Hedieh Asadi explains that it's likely Daisy's boyfriend isn't telling the truth because there are very limited ways STDs can spread.
She explains: 'STDs are mainly transmitted by the mucous membranes (soft tissue) of the vulva/vagina, rectum or mouth when they comes in contact with each other during sex.
'Some STDs can also be transmitted via semen or vaginal secretions or can also be transmitted through blood. Oral sex and sex toys can also spread sexually transmitted diseases.'
For Chlamydia in particular, the bacterial infection is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex, sharing sex toys, you and your partner's genitals touching, or infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye.
According to the NHS, Chlamydia cannot be passed on through casual contact, such as kissing and hugging, or from sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or cutlery.
Chlamydia symptoms:Most people with chlamydia do not notice any symptoms and do not know they have it.
If you do develop symptoms, you may experience:
Source: NHS
Now, all STDs can be dormant, meaning you don't have any symptoms. Dr Asadi explains: 'They can all be dormant before presenting but how long it takes depends on the specific STD.
'Some show symptoms within a few days or weeks, whereas other can remain dormant for months or even years. It's important to understand that even though the STD is dormant or latent in the body, the disease itself is still active, meaning they are still capable of being transmitted to others.'
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Read More StoriesTherefore, Daisy's boyfriend likely slept or had some kind of sexual contact with someone outside of their relationship, because even if his chlamydia was dormant, Daisy likely still would have contracted it the next time they had unprotected sex. Dormant chlamydia does still result in a positive test.
However, it's really key to note that not all infections work like this or are a sign of cheating (some can be passed on through things like shared towels). Also, infections such as HPV can be dormant for decades. This is why in recent years, medical professionals have moved away from describing HPV as an STI. It's not a sign of someone cheating.
'When HPV is dormant it can't be detected by a test, but it can become active later which is when it would be picked up in cervical screening. This is also why you might not have had HPV show up in your previous screening but it has in your most recent one – it's not necessarily that you have had a new HPV infection between screens, but that it has been dormant in your cells,' Cancer Research UK explains.
'It's hard to know how long an infection has been there for if it's been dormant, so there's usually no point trying to work out where you 'got' HPV. '
If left untreated syphilis and chlamydia can have severe health complications (Picture: Getty Images)So, is chlamydia serious? According to the NHS, it can usually be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated it can cause long term health complications.
These include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women, while men can get inflamed testicles and reactive arthritis.
'This is why it's important to do regular testing, even if you show no STD symptoms,' says Dr Asadi.
Syphilis, which Daisy's boyfriend gave her previously, can also lay dormant, but even when the symptoms present they are often mild and hard to notice.
Syphilis symptoms:Symptoms of syphilis include:
It can take 3 weeks or more for the symptoms of syphilis to appear after you're infected.
Sometimes the symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body.
Source: NHS
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics in the form of injections or tablets. But, if left untreated it can lead to potentially life-threatening complications including: heart problems, seizures, memory loss, dementia, joint pain and problems with your skin, bones, testicles, liver and other organs.
So that's the science behind it, which means it's highly likely that Daisy's boyfriend did cheat for a third time.
When it comes to the relationship and trust elements of Daisy's dilemma, sexologist and sex educator, Alice Lovegood, tells Metro.Co.Uk: 'Daisy should not take her partner at his word.
'This person has already proven that there is a pattern of mistrust and unfaithful behaviour, in that they have cheated twice before. Now there is evidence and strong patterns of behaviour which suggest they have cheated again.'
While Alice doesn't believe that cheating makes you a bad person, Daisy's boyfriend's behaviour is damaging.
'It's difficult to build relationship security when trust has been broken so many times,' Alice explains. 'It's also not fair for that person to put you in a position where you have no trust and where you're questioning yourself.
'This is supposed to be a beautiful, wonderful, secure part of your life, it shouldn't be causing detriment to your mental health. Not only are you being physically harmed in that you're catching illnesses, but you're questioning yourself.'
While Alice believes Daisy's relationship could heal from cheating, the long distance makes this much harder.
'It's definitely more challenging when distance is involved because distance itself alters the security of any relationship dynamic,' says Alice.
'Where the hurt comes from in cheating is the lying and the betrayal. It's not necessarily the act itself but what that act means for your relationship and who your partner is.
'If you break that trust, it's more difficult to fix it because you're constantly thinking "what is that person doing?". It's easy to blame distance but that glazes over the problem. It's about effort and priorities.'
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.Co.Uk.
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Many health clinics offer free condoms, could doxycycline be next?
Astounding findings on the use of doxycycline, a common antibiotic, were recently announced by the city of San Francisco. Health officials there distributed a single dose of the drug to gay and bisexual men and transgender women as a post-exposure strategy to combat sexually transmitted infections. The results: Chlamydia and early syphilis were cut in half citywide.
The findings in San Francisco come after the federal Centers for Disease Control issued its first guidelines in October for administering doxycycline after high-risk sex, an approach known as doxyPEP. Final recommendations from the CDC on doxyPEP should come later this year.
Like the study in San Francisco, the CDC's guidelines pertain specifically to queer men and trans women. The people given doxyPEP in San Francisco were individuals with a history of STIs or multiple sex partners; they were asked to take two 100-milligram pills of doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The results in San Francisco comes at a time when national syphilis rates are at their highest in nearly 75 years, with chlamydia rates stagnating.
Some health officials see the San Francisco results as proof that doxyPEP works, with one epidemiologist pointing out toThe New York Times that groups not prescribed doxycycline — like cisgender women — did not see similar drops in STIs. Meanwhile, other health officers expressed skepticism, saying the reduced STI rates may be due to a high number of gay and trans people reducing their sex partners during the Mpox outbreak of 2022.
Many health officials believe any method that reduces STIs is one worth investing in, especially among high-risk, marginalized groups. For people living with HIV, other STIs present a very specific risk. Syphilis, for example, can progress more quickly in some HIV-positive people and can equate to increased HIV viral loads. Without treatment, syphilis can attack the nervous system, brain, and eyes.
Visit CDC.Gov for more information on co-infections and doxyPEP.
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