4 of the best home chlamydia tests – Medical News Today

Older research linked false results to self-collected home kits, so the second type of test may be more accurate.

Below, learn all about home chlamydia tests, including how reliable they are and who sells them. Then, learn when to take a test and when to consult a doctor.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that transmits through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with a person who has it.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms, so the infection can be easy to unknowingly pass on.

Taking a home chlamydia test involves sending a urine sample or a genital swab to a lab to analyze. Lab technicians then determine whether the telltale bacteria are present in the sample.

The lab sends the results directly to the person, not their doctor. Some testing companies have doctors on staff who can call in a prescription to the person’s pharmacy if test results warrant it.

Before the test, avoid douching or using vaginal creams for 24 hours. Also, do not take antibiotics for 24 hours prior to the test.

If a test is positive for chlamydia, a doctor prescribes antibiotics. Without treatment, chlamydia can cause serious complications, such as infertility in females.

Home chlamydia tests may not be as accurate as tests performed in a clinical setting. Older research found that some home tests gave false-negative results — they failed to detect the characteristic bacteria.

Meanwhile, another older investigation, from 2009, into the accuracy of one brand of home test found that it yielded more false positives than true positives. A false positive indicates that someone has the infection when they do not.

However, another older study, from 2011, concluded that home chlamydia testing represented a feasible alternative to clinical testing, despite reports of inaccuracies. The authors found that most people preferred home testing, and that these tests increased screening rates among people with a high risk of the infection.

A 2017 study confirmed that screening occurred three times as often, thanks to home testing.

Below are four companies in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

The first three tests involve providing samples in a lab, so they may be more accurate. The fourth test, which involves sending in the sample, may be more convenient.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

STD Check

STD Check is a company from Healthlabs. The parent company has accreditation with the BBB, which gives it an A rating. Reviews on the BBB’s website average 4.85 out of 5.00.

A person can order either a single chlamydia test or a test for the 10 most common STIs. This full STD panel may be less expensive than those of some competitors.

When placing an order, a person chooses a lab in or near their zip code. Next, they take a form to the lab, where a technician collects the samples. The lab enters the results in the person’s online account, and if necessary, a doctor calls in a prescription.

PersonaLabs

This company does not have BBB accreditation, but it has an A+ rating with the agency. No customers have filed a complaint about it with the BBB since the company launched in 2006.

A person can take a combination chlamydia and gonorrhea test or a full STI panel. The prices fall within the average market range.

After buying a test, the person takes a form to a nearby lab, where a technician collects the samples. The lab posts the results to the person’s online account. They may then speak with a doctor, who will call in a prescription if it is needed.

Health Testing Centers

This company has accreditation from the BBB, which gives it an A+ rating. No customers have filed a complaint about the company with the BBB in the company’s 40 years of operation.

A person can choose from two kits that test for chlamydia and gonorrhea or a full STI panel. The prices fall within the average market range.

After ordering the test, the person visits a lab, where a technician collects the samples. If the results are positive, the person can have a free consultation with a doctor, who will call in a prescription if it is needed.

myLAB Box

This company does not have BBB accreditation, but it has an A+ rating with the agency. A few customers have filed complaints about it with the BBB, however.

This company offers two tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, as well as a full STI panel. The prices fall within the average market range.

The company mails a testing kit to the person’s home. Collecting the samples takes about 5 minutes, and the person then mails their samples to a lab and is notified when the results return.

If the results are positive, they can schedule a telehealth appointment with a doctor, who will call in a prescription if it is needed.

According to the CDC, sexually active females younger than 25 and sexually active gay and bisexual males of any age should take a chlamydia test every year.

The CDC also recommend a yearly test for sexually active females aged 25 or older who have:

• new or multiple sexual partners
• a sexual partner with an STI
• a sexual partner who also has other partners

Anyone who thinks that they might have chlamydia should take a test. Learn about the symptoms of chlamydia here.

STI tests are not always a standard part of a gynecological exam or regular health checkup. This is why anyone who might have chlamydia should seek out a test.

One symptom of chlamydia is a burning sensation when urinating. Anyone with this issue should contact a doctor, even if a home chlamydia test has returned a negative result.

If a home test returns a positive result, a person should contact their doctor to confirm it.

A home chlamydia test might involve collecting a urine sample or genital swab at home and sending the sample to a lab. Or, it might involve visiting a lab, where a healthcare professional collects the sample.

Older research suggests that lab-collected samples tend to lead to more accurate results.