Our chlamydia and gonorrhoea test is a highly accurate home test kit that checks for genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea. This test does not detect the presence of these infections in your throat or anus. For men this involves taking a urine sample, while for women it is a swab test to take a sample from the vagina.

What types of Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea tests are there?

The most common test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is a simple urine or swab test, which is what Superdrug Online Doctor offers. This is the same type of test that you would get in any sexual health clinic. This test is easy to use at home, or with the help of a clinician, and provides highly accurate results.

While chlamydia is not a bloodborne infection, blood tests can pick up the presence of chlamydia antibodies. But, blood tests cannot be used to diagnose chlamydia as they can only detect whether you have had chlamydia in the past and developed antibodies against it. It cannot confirm if you have a current infection.

Why should I get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, is important to keep yourself and your partners safe. Regular testing makes sure that, if you do pick up an infection, you can get treated as soon as possible. Left untreated, these infections can cause serious health problems, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

Getting tested regularly also helps you reduce the spread of these infections. Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK, and making sure you get tested before having sex with a new partner helps to protect them from a potential infection. Some people choose to do a home chlamydia and gonorrhoea test when they meet a new partner to check they do not have either of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You may also be worried that you have been exposed to these infections if you have recently had unprotected sex. In this case, you should wait at least 14 days after potential exposure to get tested, as these infections may not show up on a test before then. If you have symptoms, then you should get tested straight away.

The chlamydia and gonorrhoea home test kit is easy to use. When you order the kit, it will be delivered to an address of your choice in discreet packaging. There will be no way to identify the contents of the packaging we send the test in without opening it.

For men, the test requires a urine sample. Inside the test kit will be a small container where you will provide your sample. For women, it is a swab test. You insert the swab into your vagina, and then seal the swab in a container provided in the test kit. You then send your sample to our partner lab, who will analyse it.

It is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which analyses a short sequence of DNA or RNA. The sample you provide will only contain a small sample of DNA, but the lab will amplify this so that it is large enough to analyse and establish if you have an infection.

PCR tests are an effective way of diagnosing infections.

How accurate is the Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test?

The tests are very accurate, and if used correctly, at the right time, they can detect up to 100% of infections, according to laboratory data.

Does this test check for oral or rectal chlamydia or gonorrhoea?

No, this test does not check for oral or rectal (anal) chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It only checks for genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

If you would like to test for rectal or oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea, we offer separate test kits:

• Oral Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia Test Kit
• Anal Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Test

How to use the Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test

The test is simple to use. If you are a man, you’ll need to provide a urine (pee) sample. If you are a woman, you’ll need to do a vaginal swab. If you are not sure what is best for you, please ask one of our doctors.

The test kit comes with everything you will need to take the test as well as instructions on how to test yourself safely and accurately.

When you have collected your sample, place it in the prepaid envelope provided in the test pack and send it to our partner laboratory. You will receive your results within 3 days of the lab receiving your sample.

You should get tested if you think there is a chance you could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.

For example, you should get tested if:

• you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
• you or your partner have had unprotected sex with other people
• you or your partner have symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhoea
• a sexual partner present or previous tells you they have an STI
• you’re planning on getting pregnant or are already pregnant, as it is important to protect yourself and your baby from infections

How soon after unprotected sex can I test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

You should test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea 14 days after you have had unprotected sex, unless you already have symptoms.

This is because chlamydia and gonorrhoea have an incubation period, meaning they may not show up on a test if you take it too early. To get the most accurate results you need to wait for 2 weeks after exposure to get tested.

There is a small chance that the infection may not show up on a test, and give you a negative result. Therefore, if you receive a negative test, you should repeat the test 6 weeks later to confirm your results.

How long after exposure should I get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

You should carry out an at home test 14 days after you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhoea or had unprotected sex. If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor about when you should take the test.

How often should you test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

If you are under 25 and live in England, it is recommended that you get tested yearly or when you change sexual partners.

You will receive your result 2 to 3 days after our partner laboratory has received your sample. We understand that discretion is important with sexually transmitted infections, so our doctors will contact you via our safe and secure patient messaging system. We will never email or text you with your results.

How long do you have to wait for a Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test?

If you order your test from us before 4pm we will send it out the same day. If your order reaches us after 4pm it will be sent out the next working day. You can choose to have your test kit delivered with standard delivery, which will be delivered in up to 3 working days, or with next day delivery.

How long do Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test results take?

You should receive your results within 3 days of the lab receiving your sample. One of our doctors will review your results and send them through your patient account.

The account is completely discreet and confidential. We may email or text to let you know that you have a new message waiting in your account. However, we will never contact you by email or text with your results, only by your online patient account.

When you receive your results, you will be advised whether you have tested positive or negative for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

What does a negative Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test result mean?

If you receive a negative test for chlamydia or gonorrhoea, that means that you do not have either of these infections. Our doctors can provide advice on how to protect yourself to make sure you stay safe and healthy.

If you get a negative result on a test that happens less than 2 weeks after exposure, you should carry out another test in 6 weeks.

What does a positive Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test result mean?

If you receive a positive result then that means you have one, or both, of these infections. The results will let you know which infection you have, and our doctors will be on hand to provide you with expert advice on what you need to do next. They will also tell you what treatment options there are to clear these infections. Fortunately, both chlamydia and gonorrhoea are easily treatable with antibiotics.

If you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhoea then you should start antibiotic treatment to clear up the infections. While you are taking your antibiotics you should not have sex, as you can still transmit these infections even if your symptoms clear up. You should also inform your partners so they can get tested and start treatment if necessary.

Can chlamydia and gonorrhoea be treated?

Yes, both chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia is treated with a short course of doxycycline. Doxycycline is a tablet that you take twice per day for 7 days, and helps to completely get rid of a bacterial infection like chlamydia in 95% of cases. You can get doxycycline from Superdrug Online Doctor.

Gonorrhoea is usually treated with an antibiotic injection (Ceftriaxone) in the buttocks or thigh followed by 1 antibiotic tablet (Azithromycin).

Superdrug Online Doctor offers treatment for chlamydia, but not for gonorrhoea. If you have gonorrhoea, you will be able to get treatment at an NHS partnered sexual health clinic.

Do I need to contact my partners if I test positive for chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

Yes, you will need to contact your sexual partners if you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhoea. This is because you may have caught the infection from a partner without them being aware that they have been infected, or you may have passed these infections on unknowingly. Letting your partners know makes sure that they can get tested and treated before the infection causes serious health issues, and also prevents them from spreading these infections to you or other partners the next time they have sex.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It is passed on by having unprotected sex (sex without a condom).

It is especially common in young people, with around 60% of reported cases found in those under 25. That’s why people under 25 who live in England are advised to get tested for chlamydia every year or when they change sexual partners.

If chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to infertility in both genders, and pelvic inflammatory disease in women.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Most people who get chlamydia do not know they have it because it often presents without any symptoms.

However, some symptoms you may have include:

• pain when you pee
• unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus
• painful and swollen testicles

Women may also have:

• tummy pain
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding between periods.

Gonorrhoea is also a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacteria ‘neisseria gonorrhoeae’ or gonococcus.

How is gonorrhoea spread?

The bacteria responsible for the infection are present in discharge from the penis and vagina. It is easily spread through unprotected sex or by sharing unwashed or unprotected sex toys.

You cannot catch gonorrhoea through kissing, hugging, sharing towels, cutlery, cups, toilet seats or swimming pools.

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause long term health complications, and it can spread to other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Many people do not have symptoms if they have gonorrhoea. It takes around two weeks for the infection to develop, so you may notice symptoms around this time.

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men include:

• unusual white, yellow, or green discharge from penis tip
• inflamed or swollen foreskin
• pain when peeing
• painful, tender testicles

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women include:

• thin, watery, green, or yellow vaginal discharge
• pain or burning feeling when peeing
• pain in lower tummy
• bleeding between periods
• heavier periods
• bleeding after sex