Chlamydia Test Kit - Genital

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia infections infect both genders, however, they are more prevalent among women. Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact with an infected person, via three routes: vaginal, oral and anal. Chlamydia can affect the reproductive system and the rectum.

Both chlamydia and gonorrhea bacteria have symptoms that rarely appear. For Chlamydia, symptoms can be an abnormal vaginal discharge and a burning sensation for women. Infected men can show symptoms like painful urination, feeling pain and having some swelling around the testicles, experiencing abnormal cloudy discharges from the tip of the penis, and having a burning or itching sensation in the same area.

According to the American Sexual Health Association, in 2015, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea were the three most reported sexual infections in the United States. Reports also showed that 65% of chlamydia cases and 50% of gonorrhea cases were among women who are between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

Why take the at-home Chlamydia – Genital test?

This at-home test can screen for and detect chlamydia infections. It can also verify the successful treatment adopted. Both infections rarely show symptoms; so, they can be easily disregarded, which will lead to complications. For women, untreated chlamydia, may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which could permanently damage the woman’s reproductive system leading to infertility, as well as deadly ectopic pregnancies.

Men rarely have drastic complications caused by chlamydia; however, the consequences of untreated gonorrhea can lead to scarring of the urethra, the development of a penile abscess inside the penis, as well as infertility. Gonorrhea infections could spread in the body, reaching the bloodstream and causing arthritis, heart valve damages, as well as the inflammation of the brain lining and spinal cord.

If you are at risk of contracting chlamydia, you need to get tested. Risky behaviors include having multiple sex partners, having unprotected sexual relationships, having a partner who has sexually transmitted diseases, having a sex partner who has many sex partners, as well as being young.

The CDC recommends that every woman, who is younger than 25 years and sexually active, should get tested for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. Also, women who are older than 25 years and are at risk of getting infected with these two bacteria need to tested every year. The recommendations also apply to pregnant women. These need to be tested early during pregnancy and repeat the test, if needed and as much as needed. Also according to the CDC, all sexually active gay and bisexual men need to be tested once a year for gonorrhea and chlamydia. If these men have multiple partners, they will have to be tested more often, such as once every three or six months. Also, men who practice unsafe sex or share injection needles (drug users) need to be tested routinely.

What can cause the levels to rise?

Your test results will not be affected by the food you eat, the medicines you take or your vitamins and supplements. Since the test is vaginal for women, it is recommended to avoid any vaginal creams and sprays. It is also recommended to avoid douching to have a more accurate result.

What your at-home Chlamydia – Genital test results mean?

Having a positive/detected test result means that you have an active infection that needs to be treated with a course of antibiotics. A negative/not detected test result indicates the absence of the infection at the time of the test. If you re-engage in risky behaviors, you will have to be screened again.

Being infected with any of these two bacteria and receiving the appropriate treatment will only help getting rid of the infection. It will not protect you from getting re-infected as the immune system will not build a defense mechanism, like the case of hepatitis B infections.

Where can I get an at-home Chlamydia – Genital test?

This test kit will be mailed to you via USPS. You will receive a specimen collection device,  as well as other test kit materials. Please review all instructions prior to performing this test. Specimens should be shipped via USPS back to the laboratory. Results take 2-3 days upon receipt of the specimen by the laboratory.

TEST KIT REFUND POLICY- Kits can be cancelled anytime prior to sending the specimen to the lab.  There is a $25 fee to cover the kit costs and shipping. So full refund minus $25. 

TEST COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS PDF

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Aug 19, 2020