Testing for chlamydia in males

Chlamydia - Diagnosis - NHS

The only way to find out if you have chlamydia is to get tested. You can get tested whether or not you have symptoms.

In England, if you are a woman aged under 25 years old, you may be offered a chlamydia test when you visit some health services, for example a pharmacy or GP.  This offer is part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP).

If you're offered a chlamydia test you should consider taking it.

What does the chlamydia test involve?

The recommended tests for chlamydia are simple, painless and generally very reliable.

They involve sending a sample of cells to a laboratory for analysis. You don't necessarily have to be examined by a doctor or nurse first and can often collect the sample yourself.

There are two main ways the sample can be collected:

• using a swab – a small cotton bud is gently wiped over the area that might be infected, such as inside the vagina or inside the anus
• urinating into a container – this should ideally be done at least 1 hour after you last urinated

Men will usually be asked to provide a urine sample, while women will usually be asked to either swab inside their vagina or provide a urine sample.

The results will normally be available in 7 to 10 days. If there's a high chance you have chlamydia – for example, you have symptoms of the infection or your partner has been diagnosed with it and you've had unprotected sex with them – you might start treatment before you get your results.

Read more about treating chlamydia.

When should I get tested?

Don't delay getting tested if you think you might have chlamydia. Being diagnosed and treated as soon as possible will reduce your risk of developing any serious complications of chlamydia.

You can get a chlamydia test at any time – although you might be advised to repeat the test later on if you have it less than 2 weeks since you had sex because the infection might not always be found in the early stages.

You should consider getting tested for chlamydia if:

• you or your partner have any symptoms of chlamydia
• you've had unprotected sex with a new partner
• a condom splits while you're having sex
• you or your partner have had unprotected sex with other people
• you think you could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• a sexual partner tells you they have an STI
• you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• you're offered a chlamydia test as part of the NCSP

If you live in England, you're a woman under 25 and sexually active, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.

If you live in England, you're a man under 25 and sexually active, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.

If you have chlamydia, you may be offered another test 3 to 6 months after being treated. This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.

Where can I get a chlamydia test?

You can get a free, confidential chlamydia test at:

• a sexual health clinic
• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic
• your GP surgery
• most contraceptive clinics

You can go to whichever place is the most comfortable and convenient for you. 

Find a sexual health clinic and read about what happens when you visit an STI clinic.

You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to do at home.

In some areas, young people can order a postal testing kit online as part of the NCSP. Search for free online tests for under-25s to see if this is available in your area.

Page last reviewed: 01 September 2021
Next review due: 01 September 2024

Chlamydia Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test

What is a Chlamydia Test?

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is a bacterial infection spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who has the infection.

A chlamydia test looks for chlamydia bacteria in a sample of fluid from your body. The sample may be:

• Urine (pee)
• Fluid that's usually swabbed from the:
  • Urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body)
  • Vagina
  • Rectum (the last part of your intestine that connects to the anus).

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so you may spread the disease without even knowing you have the infection. If a pregnant person has chlamydia, they can give the infection to their baby during childbirth.

The disease is easily treated with antibiotic medicine. But if it's not treated, it can cause serious complications. The infection can spread in the female reproductive system and cause infertility. It can also lead to reactive arthritis (uncommon).

A chlamydia test can diagnose the disease so you can get treatment before you develop lasting health problems or spread the disease to others.

Other names: Chlamydia NAAT or NAT, Chlamydia/GC STD Panel

What is it used for?

A chlamydia test is used to find out whether or not you have a chlamydia infection. The test is also done three months after treatment for chlamydia to check for re-infection.

Why do I need a chlamydia test?

Chlamydia is a very common STD, especially in sexually active people ages 15 to 24. But chlamydia usually doesn't cause symptoms, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations recommend regular screening tests if your risk of getting chlamydia is high.

If you are a woman or a transgender or gender diverse person with a cervix (lower part of the uterus), you should:

• Get tested for chlamydia at least once a year if you are:
  • Younger than 25 and having sex
  • Age 25 or older and have a higher risk of getting chlamydia because you:
    • Have a new sex partner or more than one partner
    • Have a sex partner who is having sex with others
    • Have a sex partner with an STD
    • Don't use condoms correctly every time
• Get tested for chlamydia if you are pregnant.

Regular chlamydia testing at least once a year is also recommended if you:

• Have HIV.
• Are a man who has sex with men (MSM) or a transgender diverse person with a penis who has sex with men. Test every 3 to 6 months if you or your partner have sex with more than one person, or if you have other sexual behaviors that may increase your risk for getting chlamydia.

The best testing schedule for you may be different than the recommendations. Ask your provider how often you should get tested.

Your provider will order a test if your sex partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or if you have symptoms. Symptoms of chlamydia may include:

• An unusual discharge (fluid) from your genitals (penis or vagina) or rectum
• Irritation or itching around your genitals
• Pain or burning when you urinate (pee)
• Rectal pain or bleeding if chlamydia infects the rectum

What happens during a chlamydia test?

To do a chlamydia test, you will need to provide a sample of fluid from the part of your body that may be infected. There are two ways to gather the sample:

• A first-catch urine sample. You use a sterile cup to a collect urine from the very first part of your urine stream. To get an accurate test result, you will need to stop urinating for two hours before the test.
• A swab sample. Your provider will use a special swab or brush to gather cells, usually from the genital area (the urethra or the vagina). This may cause some brief discomfort. In certain cases, the rectum, cervix, throat, or eyes may be swabbed. Your provider may give you the option to swab yourself following special instructions.

Test results are usually ready in a day. There are some rapid chlamydia tests that can provide results in 90 minutes or less.

You can also buy at-home collection kits to test for chlamydia and other STDs. With these kits, you collect a swab or urine sample at home and send it to a lab for testing. It's important to follow all the instructions carefully.

You should not use an at-home test if you have symptoms of chlamydia or if your partner has chlamydia. In that case, it's important to talk with your provider right away so you don't delay treatment.

Ask your provider whether at-home chlamydia testing is right for you.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Preparations for a chlamydia test depend on the type of sample you will be providing. You may need to avoid antibiotic medicines and vaginal douches or creams for 24 hours before your test. Ask your provider if there are any special instructions for your test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There are no known risks to having a chlamydia test.

What do the results mean?

• A negative test result means that you did not have a chlamydia infection when the sample was collected.
• A positive test result means you have been infected with chlamydia.

If your test result is positive, you will need antibiotics to treat your infection. Your provider will give you instructions on how to take your medicine. To make sure your infection is cured, follow the instructions carefully and finish all the medicine.

You will also need to let your sexual partner/s know you tested positive for chlamydia so that they can be tested and treated if necessary. Three months after you finish treatment, you will need to be tested for chlamydia again to check for a new infection. That's because repeat infections are very common. Ask your provider to tell you how often to get tested after that.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about a chlamydia test?

Chlamydia testing can help you avoid lasting health problems and stop the spread of this disease. You can also take steps to protect yourself from getting chlamydia.

The most reliable way to prevent chlamydia or any STD is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by:

• Having sex with only one partner who has tested negative for STDs and who has sex only with you (mutual monogamy)
• Using condoms correctly every time you have sex

References

1. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Chlamydia trachomatis Culture. 152–3 p.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2021 STD Treatment Guidelines: Chlamydial Infections [reviewed; 2021 Jul 22; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlamydia.htm
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2021 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines: Screening Recommendations and Considerations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Sources; [reviewed 2021 Sep 15; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Chlamydia-CDC Fact Sheet [reviewed 2022 Mar 7; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Chlamydia-CDC Fact Sheet (Detailed) [reviewed 2021 Dec 31; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Protect Yourself + Protect Your Partner: Chlamydia - The Facts [cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/the-facts/chlamydia_bro_508.pdf
7. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Chlamydia Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing. com/tests/chlamydia-test/
8. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. Chlamydia trachomatis; [cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chlamydia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355355
9. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. Urinalysis; [cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/urinalysis/about/pac-20384907
10. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Urinalysis and Urine Culture; [modified 2020 May; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/diagnosis-of-kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/urinalysis-and-urine-culture
11. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What are some types of and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?; [modified 2017 Jan 31; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stds/conditioninfo/types#Chlamydia
12. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. At-Home Chlamydia Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 14 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/at-home-chlamydia-test/
13. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Chlamydia Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/chlamydia-test/
14. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Chlamydia Trachomatis (Swab) [cited 2022 Mar 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=chlamydia_trachomatis_swab

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