Avoid uncertainty with this chlamydia home test kit

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection and is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterium. Chlamydia is readily passed on through sexual contact with an infected partner and can affect the vagina, rectum and/or pharynx (throat).

How do you catch chlamydia?

Chlamydia is readily passed on through unprotected sex with an infected partner, including vaginal, oral and anal sex. Chlamydia can also be transmitted through the sharing of sex toys and if your genitals come into contact with an infected partner’s genitals (even if penetration does not occur). Chlamydia can also be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. The use of condoms during sex dramatically reduces the risk of transmission of chlamydia, among other STIs.

What does this test for?

This kit tests for the presence of genital chlamydia. In men, this test uses a urine sample, and in women, it uses a vaginal swab.

How to use the test kit

Taking a vaginal swab (women):

Firstly, read the instructions and make sure you have all the correct kit. Label your sample bottle with your personal details. Wash your hands first. Remove the swab from its plastic tube and insert it into the vagina around 2–5cm. Gently twist the swab for 10–15 seconds and then remove and place it back into the sample tube. Make sure the request form and your sample are secured into the return box provided and posted as soon as possible. 

Obtaining a urine sample (men):

Carefully read the instructions and make sure your sample bottle is labelled and your request form is filled out. Make sure you’ve washed your hands before collecting your sample. Open up the collection box by squeezing the sides. Pass the first stream of urine into the collection box, filling it about halfway. Pour enough urine from the collection box to fill the plastic sample tube. Discard the rest of the urine. Screw the lid of the sample tube on tightly, place the sample and request form into the box, and post as soon as you can. 

How does the test work?

Genital chlamydia test kits are different for men and women. In women, a swab taken from just inside the vagina is required. In men, a urine sample is required. Samples are sent to our partner laboratory where they are tested for the presence of genital chlamydia. A different test is required to check for oral or anal chlamydia.

How reliable is the test kit?

Home STI testing kits are highly accurate and of comparable reliability to those performed by a healthcare professional when performed correctly. For maximum reliability, you should follow all of the instructions and post your sample as soon as possible. No test can be 100% accurate or tell you for certain that you do or do not have the infection it is testing for. 

If you are worried your test has been damaged or not performed correctly, please contact us for a fresh test kit. 

The best time to get tested for chlamydia is 2–3 weeks after having unprotected sex. Chlamydia has an incubation period of around 7–14 days and therefore may not be detected on a test right away.  

If you have concerns about the reliability of any result you have received, you should speak with your doctor. 

Chlamydia symptoms

Chlamydia may be completely symptomless in up to 90% of women. Symptoms include: 

• Change in vaginal discharge e.g. increase in volume, colour, odour, consistency. 
• Pain during or after sex (Dyspareunia)
• Bleeding after sex (post-coital bleeding)
• Bleeding between periods, or irregular periods
• Lower abdominal pain
• Pain during urination (dysuria)
• Fever
• Rectal pain or discharge

Men may experience: 

• Discharge from the penis
• Pain during urination (dysuria)
• Burning or itching of the urethra 
• Testicular pain
• Fever
• Rectal pain or discharge

Who should take this test?

Anyone who has had unprotected sex, including oral or anal, should get tested for chlamydia. Up to 90% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia won't show any symptoms so you may not know you have it until you get tested. It's recommended to get tested for chlamydia, and other STIs, each time you change partners. 

If you have symptoms, it is important to not only get tested for chlamydia, but for other STIs which may be the cause for your symptoms. 

The best time to get tested for chlamydia is 2 weeks after having unprotected sex. Chlamydia has an incubation period of around 7–14 days and therefore may not be detected on a test right away.

How will I find out my results?

You will receive your results by email or text message if you have provided a UK mobile number for us to contact you on.

What should I do if I get a positive result?

If you test positive for chlamydia, you should organise treatment promptly. We offer effective treatment with prescription antibiotics for chlamydia. Treatments are delivered to you in plain packaging, just like the test kits. The treatments are prescribed by an NHS doctor and your medicine will be dispatched from our NHS community pharmacy.

It is your responsibility to contact all previous sexual partners since your last negative STI test and inform them that you’ve tested positive for chlamydia. If you haven’t already, then it’s advisable to get tested for other STIs too.

How to avoid chlamydia

Having sex without using a condom is the greatest risk factor for contracting chlamydia. The use of condoms during sex dramatically reduces the risk of transmission of chlamydia, among other STIs.

Can I take the test if I am on my period?

Yes. The test can still be carried out if you are on your period and will still be highly accurate.

Is this test suitable for men who have sex with men?

Yes, this test is suitable for men who have engaged in unprotected vaginal sex with women or anal sex with men or women. However, this does not test for anal or oral infection. A separate test is needed for anal or oral chlamydia. 

Is the test confidential?

Yes, the test and your results are confidential. We also ensure that test kits are dispatched in plain, discreet packaging with no indication as to what is inside. 

Can this be used to test for other forms of chlamydia?

This test kit is designed to test for genital chlamydia infections of the penis or vagina. There are other swab tests available to test for oral or anal chlamydia infection.

Will anyone be able to tell what’s inside the package?

Test kits are dispatched in plain, discreet packaging with no indication as to what is inside.

Is the test the same for men and women?

Genital chlamydia test kits are different for men and women. In women, a swab taken from just inside the vagina is required. In men, a urine sample is required.