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There’s something incredibly powerful about taking charge of your sexual health — especially when the conversation around it still feels weirdly hush-hush in some circles. Whether you're bleeding more heavily than usual during your period and wondering if there could be a bigger issue, or you're just committed to regular sexual health checkups, chlamydia testing is one of those things everyone who’s sexually active should feel confident about.
How do they test for chlamydia?
Chlamydia testing is actually super simple and way less intimidating than most people think. The most common methods are:
- Urine test: Pee in a cup. Done.
- Swab test: A gentle swab of the cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum, or throat (depending on your sexual activity).
For people with a cervix, a clinician might do a pelvic exam and take a swab sample from the cervix. But at-home swab tests can also be self-administered vaginally — quick, discreet, and easy to post back to a lab.
You don’t need to fast, and you can usually keep your clothes on for most types of tests. Results typically come back in 7–10 days, but some clinics offer rapid results.
The most effective and accurate type of chlamydia testing is Nucleic Acids Amplification Tests (NAATs). They work by detecting the bacteria’s DNA — so even if you don’t have symptoms, they can still catch an infection early. A major review found that vaginal swabs using NAATs were just as effective as cervical or urine samples, with over 80% accuracy in most cases. They're the go-to method in both clinics and at-home STI kits.
Is a chlamydia test painful?
Not at all. A urine test is completely painless. A swab might feel a bit awkward or slightly uncomfortable for a second — like a pap smear — but it shouldn’t hurt. If it does, let your clinician know.
How can I check if I have chlamydia?
The only reliable way to know if you have chlamydia is to get tested. Chlamydia often flies under the radar because it doesn’t always cause symptoms — hence its nickname, the “silent” infection. But if you’re noticing more bleeding between periods or after sex, that could be your body waving a red flag.
You can get tested in a few different ways. Some people prefer to visit a sexual health clinic, their healthcare provider, or an OB-GYN, while others go for the ease of ordering a free or low-cost at-home STI testing kit from services like LetsGetChecked or myLAB Box. Planned Parenthood also offers reliable and confidential testing options.
Whichever route you choose, the process is fast, private, and simple.
Does chlamydia show up in a urine test?
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Yes — a urine test can detect chlamydia in the urethra, which is the tube you pee out of. It's usually the first line of testing for people with a penis or anyone who’s not having symptoms in other areas (like rectal or throat infections). It’s also common for folks with a vagina to use this method if there are no symptoms.
But if you’ve had oral or anal sex, it’s important to request swab testing of those areas too — urine alone might not pick it up.
What are 5 symptoms of chlamydia?
Many people have no symptoms at all. But when symptoms do show up, here are five common ones:
- Unusual vaginal discharge: Different texture, color, or smell than usual.
- Pain or burning when peeing: Not to be confused with a UTI (although the symptoms can be similar).
- Pain during sex: Especially deeper pain or aching.
- Bleeding after sex or between periods: Can be a sign of infection or inflammation.
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain: A dull ache or cramping that feels different from menstrual cramps.
Chlamydia can also infect the rectum and throat, which could cause rectal pain or discharge (if contracted through anal sex) or a sore throat (if contracted through oral sex).
Still not sure if it’s chlamydia or something else? That’s exactly why testing is key.
How long can you have chlamydia without knowing?
This is why testing is fundamental: chlamydia can hang out for weeks, months, or even years without any symptoms.
According to the CDC, about 70% of people with a vagina and 50% of people with a penis show no signs of infection at all. That’s why regular testing matters, especially if you’ve had new or multiple partners, had unprotected sex, or have not been tested in the past 6–12 months.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to more serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or chronic pelvic pain. So even if you feel fine, your reproductive system might be dealing with some drama behind the scenes.
Can I test for chlamydia at home?
Yes, and at-home test kits have come a long way. They’re discreet, affordable, and in many cases just as accurate as in-clinic testing.
Simply order a kit online from a trusted provider (like LetsGetChecked or myLAB Box), follow the instructions to collect a urine or vaginal swab sample, post your sample back to the lab, and in a few days, you’ll get your results via text or email.
Some private services even offer treatment (like antibiotics) if you test positive. If not, your healthcare provider or local clinic can help you access treatment.
What happens if I test positive for chlamydia?
First: take a deep breath. Chlamydia is common, treatable, and doesn’t mean anything about your character or choices.
Treatment usually involves a short course of antibiotics — often a single dose or a 7-day course. It's important to:
- Avoid sex for 7 days after starting treatment
- Inform any sexual partners from the last 6 months
- Get retested in 3 months to make sure it’s gone
The good news? Once treated, it’s usually cleared up completely without long-term effects — especially if caught early.
Routine STI testing matters
Testing for chlamydia isn’t just a “when something’s wrong” kind of thing — it’s part of a healthy, regular, responsible routine for anyone who’s sexually active. In a recent Rescripted survey, 47% of respondents said they get tested every 3–6 months, while 12% only test when they have symptoms. Another 27% said they preferred not to answer.
That’s a lot of uncertainty — and a lot of potential infections flying under the radar, especially when you consider that, according to the World Health Organization, about 4% of women between 15–49 globally have contracted chlamydia.
Whether you’re bleeding more than usual during your period, just got out of a situationship, or haven’t been tested in a while, now’s a great time to check in with your body and get tested.
Routine testing isn’t just about keeping yourself safe; it’s about looking out for your partners and protecting your future fertility. No shame, no stigma. And there’s something empowering about fully owning your sexual history.
Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced content writer and strategist, having written about a vast range of topics from chemical regulations to parenting, for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Tally Workspace, and Fertility Mapper. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.