Question 1

How does a chlamydia and gonorrhea test work?

Accepted Answer

Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening can be done at home or at a clinic. A sample of urine is typically sent to a laboratory, which checks the urine for chlamydia and gonorrhea genetic material. (An oral, vaginal, and/or rectal swab can also be used to check for infections in the vagina, throat, or rectum, but this test only utilizes urine.) If you are using the Everlywell at-home lab test, you'll receive secure, online test results just a few days after the lab receives your sample. Learn more: How to test for gonorrhea

Question 2

Who should take this test?

Accepted Answer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that there are approximately 4.5 million cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea each year. These bacterial infections are spread through sexual contact (including vaginal, anal, and oral sex). This test checks specifically for chlamydia and gonorrhea-causing bacteria in the reproductive and urinary systems. It is important to understand that the urine specimen collection used for this test cannot rule out chlamydia infections in other areas of the body, such as the mouth, throat, and rectum. If you have risk factors for infection in one of these areas, it's crucial to see your healthcare provider for appropriate STD testing. Pregnant women with an active gonorrhea or chlamydia infection at the time of vaginal delivery can spread the infection directly to their children during birth. Per the CDC, all sexually active women under age 25 and women over age 25 with risk factors for contracting chlamydia or gonorrhea should get tested every year: risk factors include unprotected sex, new sexual partners, or multiple sexual partners. Men at risk for chlamydia or gonorrhea should get tested each year, and more often as needed. Risk factors include having sex with a partner who has chlamydia or gonorrhea, men who have sex with men, unprotected sexual intercourse, and multiple sex partners.

Question 3

What will my results tell me?

Accepted Answer

This test will tell you whether or not your reproductive or urinary system has been infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea. Like any Everlywell STI test, our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test is delivered in discreet packaging and taken in the privacy of your own home. Once you ship your test sample to our lab and your sample is processed, you'll be notified via email when your results are ready. You will then be able to access your results through an easy-to-understand report on our secure online platform.

Question 4

What guidance will I get with my results?

Accepted Answer

This at-home gonorrhea and chlamydia lab test checks for the presence of gonorrhea or chlamydia. In the event that your test results are positive, a board-certified physician in your state will contact you at no additional cost to discuss your particular case, and when appropriate, prescribe medication. We take customer privacy very seriously, and only you will have access to this information. As is the case with all STD testing -- whether through Everlywell at-home tests or your healthcare provider -- we may be required by law to report positive test results to certain state health departments. This is only done to track the prevalence of a sexually transmitted disease. In rare cases, you may not receive a definitive result because of early infection or inadequate sampling and repeat testing is suggested. Don't take a chance on your sexual health. Know where you stand with our at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test. You can also take our at-home STD 5-Panel Test or our OraQuick® At-Home HIV Test Kit.

Question 5

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Explained

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are examples of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), that can affect those who are sexually active. They are the most commonly reported STIs in the United States. Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing can help you detect these STIs before they cause serious health issues (such as infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease) for you or your partner(s).

Question 6

What is chlamydia?

Accepted Answer

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI, also called an STD) that's caused by an infection from a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is about twice as common in women than in men, and most often affects women in the 15-24 age range. A chlamydial infection usually doesn't cause symptoms for women, but it can lead to inflammation in the cervix or urethra. Ultimately, in up to 15% of untreated chlamydia infections in women, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) develops--which can result in infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and tubal pregnancy (also called an extrauterine pregnancy). In men, chlamydia is likewise rarely accompanied by symptoms, but it can cause inflammation of the urethra and testicles. Because a chlamydia infection often comes without obvious signs and symptoms, the only way to know for sure is by regularly taking a chlamydia test.

Question 7

What is gonorrhea?

Accepted Answer

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Having a gonorrhea infection can increase the risk of contracting HIV, and symptoms can include inflammation of the cervix and urethra. Gonorrhea infection rates are nearly equal among women and men. In women, gonorrhea often occurs without symptoms--but an untreated gonorrhea infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause serious issues for women's health (like infertility and chronic pelvic pain). That's why routine gonorrhea testing is so important: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all sexually active women under the age of 25 get tested for gonorrhea--as well as chlamydia--every year. In men, gonorrhea can cause symptoms like painful urination, genital swelling, and testicular pain; however, the majority of cases are asymptomatic. The best way to know for sure is to test regularly.

Question 8

How does this at-home gonorrhea and chlamydia lab test work?

Accepted Answer

This gonorrhea and chlamydia at-home lab test is a urine test -- so a vaginal swab or blood sample is not required. To take the test, simply urinate in a collection cup and place your sample in the mail. We'll send your sample to one of the labs we use for testing (a prepaid shipping label is included within the kit). The lab will then use molecular testing technology that can identify the DNA genetic material of gonorrhea and chlamydia in your sample. This type of testing, known as nucleic acid amplification, is usually more accurate than other methods of gonorrhea and chlamydia testing (that rely on microscopes, for example). It is important to understand the urine specimen collection used for this test cannot rule out chlamydia infections in other areas of the body, such as the mouth, throat, or rectum. If you have risk factors for infection in one of these areas, it's crucial to see your healthcare provider for appropriate STD testing.

Question 9

Do you have any additional reading materials?

Accepted Answer

Gonorrhea Data and Statistics, Chlamydia Data and Statistics