Written by Hannah Kingston - Updated on August 23rd, 2021
Medically reviewed by Dr Andrea Pinto Lopez, M.D.

Wondering how an at home chlamydia test works? Let’s take a deep dive into what’s involved in an at home chlamydia test, when you should consider taking a test and the best at home chlamydia tests on the market.

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and the world! It is also the most curable disease, if it is diagnosed early, it can easily be treated with a course of antibiotics. Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia is spread through having unprotected sex with someone who has vaginal, anal or oral chlamydia even if the other person doesn’t have any symptoms.

Find out everything you need to know about chlamydia here.

How does an at home chlamydia test work?

At home chlamydia tests work in a similar way to the tests that you would take in a clinical setting. Chlamydia can be identified through a urine sample, most popular at home std test providers require you to self-collect a urine sample before mailing it back to the laboratory.

Here’s how the average at home chlamydia test works:

Once you order a chlamydia test online, you can expect an average of 5 business days to receive your test. It’s important to note that in most cases, chlamydia will not be detectable for two weeks after you have had unprotected sex with a suspected infected partner.
When you receive your at home chlamydia test, you will need to closely follow the instructions as outlined by the provider. The majority of tests will require you to simply collect a urine sample, some tests will also require you to take a swab sample.
After you have collected your sample following the instructions as outlined by the provider, you simply mail your sample back to the laboratory using the self addressed envelope enclosed in the package.
On average, it takes three business days to receive your test results from your provider, however, the waiting times will depend on the provider of the test.
In general, the at home STD test provider will offer support and guidance once the test results are available, particularly if you have an out of range or abnormal result. This will of course depend on the provider. Find out which at home STD test providers do and don’t offer ongoing support here.

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Get Your LetsGetChecked Discount for Chlamydia Test Today!

When should you take an at home chlamydia test?

You should make at home STD testing part of your regular health screening. In simpler terms you should be undergoing sexual health screening on an annual basis. You should consider sexual health screening on a more regular basis if you fall under the following categories, as there is a greater associated risk of contracting an STD if:

You are aged 25
You have sex with multiple partners
You have had unprotected sex
You have a partner who has told you they’ve recently tested positive for chlamydia
You have a history of STDs or you are currently in treatment for a previous STD
You are entering a new sexual relationship
You are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease
You have received a notification from a previous partner that they have chlamydia

Learn more about the symptoms of chlamydia in men and the symptoms of chlamydia in women.

Buy LetsGetChecked At-Home Chlamydia Test Today!

How accurate are at home chlamydia tests?

At home chlamydia tests are as accurate as those you would take in a clinical setting, provided that samples are collected correctly. Within a lab setting and at home, urine tests for chlamydia correctly identify a positive result 87% of the time, and correctly identify a negative result 99% of the time.

Self collected vaginal swabs identify a correct positive result 92% of the time and a correct negative result 98% of the time.

The most important factor that will determine the accuracy of your at-home chlamydia test is the quality of your sample. A good at-home STD test kit will include everything you need to take the sample correctly, but it’s still very important to make sure that you follow the instructions carefully to prevent a false result.

If you’re taking a urine sample, most tests require that you collect “first pass” or “first catch” urine, which means that you must make sure to collect the first milliliters of urine that you pass. If your test includes a pouch for collection, you shouldn’t overfill it, since it could dilute the sample and reduce the test’s sensitivity. Some tests will also recommend that you use the first urine in the morning, or that you haven’t urinated 1-2 hours prior to taking the sample.

If you’re using a vaginal swab test, you shouldn’t wet the provided swab with any liquids before taking the sample. You should also make sure to insert the swab into your vagina according to the instructions to make sure you take an appropriate sample of fluid, and the swab shouldn’t touch any surfaces after you collect it.

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What are the best at home chlamydia tests on the market?

LetsGetChecked

Simple 2 - $99. Tests for chlamydia & gonorrhea.
Basic 3 - $119. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea & trichomoniasis.
Standard 5 - $149. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis & HIV (1, 2, P24 antigen).
Complete 8 - $249. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV (1, 2, P24 antigen), gardnerella, mycoplasma & ureaplasma

myLab Box

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea - $79. Tests for chlamydia & gonorrhea.
3 Site Test Kit - $179. Tests for chlamydia & gonorrhea, including testing of the genitals and mouth.
Safe Box - $189. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV (I & II), & trichomoniasis.
Uber Box - $269. Tests for chlamydia, HIV (I & II), hepatitis C, herpes simplex type II, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.
Total Box - $369-399. Tests for chlamydia, HIV (I & II), hepatitis C, herpes simplex type II, syphilis, gonorrhea (3-site), trichomoniasis, mycoplasma genitalium and an optional test for HPV.

Health Testing Centers

Chlamydia Test - $89. Tests for chlamydia.
Chlamydia Test Kit - Anal - $79. Tests for chlamydia via a rectal swab.
Chlamydia Test Kit - Oral - $79. Tests for chlamydia via an oral swab.
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea - $79. Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Basic STD Package - $189. Tests for chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis and HSV 1/2
Total STD Package - $349.Tests for chlamydia, HIV, HSV 2, HCV, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and high risk HPV infections.

Everlywell

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test - $49. Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
STD Test - Female - $149. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis & trichomoniasis
STD Test - Male - $149. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis & trichomoniasis.

Nurx

Basics Covered Kit - $150. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
Healthy Woman Kit - $190. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV and gonorrhea.
Full Control Kit - $220. Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV and gonorrhea and hepatitis C.