Question: How Do I Get Tested For Chlamydia?
Answer:
Healthcare providers test for chlamydia in one of two ways:
- Swab: A swab is taken of the urethra (men), cervix (women), and/or rectum (for people who have receptive anal sex). For women, the cervical swab is taken as part of a pelvic exam done with a speculum.
- Urine: Some providers will also use a urine test to diagnose chlamydia in men. Although technically a urine test can be performed in women, it is much less accurate than a cervical swab and so is not often used.
Once a sample has been acquired, it is sent to a laboratory for testing. Depending on the sample and the lab, testing may involve growing chlamydia from the sample, looking for chlamydial DNA, or using antibodies to identify whether or not the sample contains any organisms.
Fun Fact: Urine tests are effective in men because the site of infection is the urethra. Therefore, urine passes through the infection site where it can collect bacteria. In women, the site of infection is the cervix, which is nowhere near the urinary tract.
