What Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria and is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, or sharing sex toys.
Chlamydia often affects the genital tract but can also infect the throat or rectum or eyes depending on sexual contact. Many people do not realise they have it because symptoms are often mild or absent.
As a fully regulated UK pharmacy, we provide treatment and testing for chlamydia, subject to a clinical assessment online.
Do I Have Chlamydia?
What are the symptoms in men?
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Discharge from the penis (often white, cloudy, or watery)
Irritation or discomfort at the tip of the penis
Pain or swelling in the testicles
What are the symptoms in women?
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Unusual vaginal discharge (which may be yellow or have a strong smell)
Bleeding between periods or after sex
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Pain during sex
Are there any rectal symptoms?
Symptoms include rectal discharge, pain or bleeding. Rectal infection can occur from anal sex, or by spread from another infected area.
How Long Do I Wait Before Getting Tested for Chlamydia?
If you believe you may have been exposed, it is generally advised to wait around 14 days before testing to ensure accurate detection.
Testing too early may lead to inaccurate results. If exposure is recent, a repeat test may be recommended later.
Does Chlamydia Go Away On its Own?
Chlamydia does not usually go away without treatment, and may persist for a long time if untreated.
Antibiotics are required to clear the infection effectively. Leaving it untreated can lead to complications.
I Can Get Free Testing and Treatment on the NHS. Why Should I Pay You?
The NHS offers free testing and treatment for Chlamydia but there are long wait times, delayed results and the risk of seeing someone you know at the clinic.
People who value discretion and speed may choose at home testing instead.
How Does Chlamydia Testing Work with Webmed?
If you think you may have genital chlamydia, you can order a home test kit online using our fast, confidential service and take the test in the privacy of your own home.
Men provide a urine sample, while women use a simple self-swab; both methods are quick and reliable while minimising discomfort or inconvenience.
All test kits are sent in plain, unbranded packaging to ensure discretion.
How to Do Chlamydia Testing Online with Webmed
1. Order a test kit online
A home test kit can be ordered online and delivered discreetly to your address. The kit contains everything needed to collect a sample safely at home.
Instructions are included to guide the testing process step by step.
2. Collect your sample at home
Samples are collected at home using either a urine sample or a swab, depending on the type of test required.
The process is simple and designed to be completed privately. Clear instructions help ensure the sample is taken correctly.
3. Send your sample to a laboratory
Return your sample using the prepaid envelope to The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), one of the UK’s leading independent diagnostic laboratories.
Laboratory testing ensures accurate and reliable results. Samples are processed under regulated conditions for quality control.
4. Receive results securely online
Results are delivered securely through an online system, usually within a few days of the sample being received. This allows patients to access results privately without needing to attend a clinic.
If your result is positive for chlamydia, you will be asked to complete a short medical questionnaire for clinical review and, if appropriate, treatment will be prescribed.
If you have already received a positive result from another provider or clinic, you can still complete our consultation for assessment and access to treatment if suitable.
What Antibiotics Are Used for Chlamydia?
Current UK sexual health guidance recommends antibiotic therapy as first-line treatment for chlamydia, most commonly doxycycline as the preferred option, with azithromycin used in certain cases where appropriate.
Chlamydia requires targeted antibiotic treatment to clear the infection and reduce the risk of complications and onward transmission.
Does Doxycycline treat chlamydia?
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic widely recommended for treating chlamydia. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, preventing the infection from multiplying and allowing the body to clear it.
Clinical evidence supports its effectiveness as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated infections (source).
Azithromycin (3-Day Course)
Azithromycin is an alternative antibiotic that may be prescribed when doxycycline is not suitable.
It works by interfering with bacterial growth and is typically taken over a short course. It may be recommended based on individual clinical considerations.
Partner notification and advice
Sexual partners should be informed so they can also be tested and treated if necessary. This helps prevent reinfection and reduces further spread of the infection. Guidance is usually provided on how far back to notify partners.
How to Get Chlamydia Treatment
Patients can choose from available options, including doxycycline 100mg or azithromycin 3-day course. We are a regulated UK pharmacy, providing clinically approved treatments for chlamydia.
Complete an online consultation. Provide key medical details, including symptoms, medical history, and current medications. This allows one of our clinicians to assess suitability for treatment.
Each consultation is reviewed by a qualified prescriber to ensure safe and appropriate prescribing in line with UK guidance.
Once approved, your treatment is dispensed and delivered in discreet packaging directly to your chosen address, maintaining your privacy throughout.
What’s Included in a Chlamydia Test Kit
Urine sample kit
Urine sample kits are commonly used for testing chlamydia in men and sometimes women. They are easy to use and require a small sample of first-catch urine. This method is effective for detecting genital infections.
Swab sample kit
Swab kits may be used to test vaginal, rectal or throat samples depending on exposure risk. They are designed to collect cells from the affected area for accurate laboratory testing. Instructions explain how to take the swab correctly.
Return packaging and instructions
Each kit includes pre-labelled return packaging and detailed instructions for use. This ensures samples are safely transported to the laboratory. The packaging is discreet to protect privacy.
How Common Is Chlamydia in the UK?
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the UK. There were over 190,000 diagnoses of chlamydia in England in recent reporting years, with the highest rates seen in younger adults.
Who Should Get Tested for Chlamydia?
High-risk groups
Chlamydia testing is particularly recommended for people with a womb or ovaries. This is the group who tends to experience the most harms for Chlamydia.
Testing is also recommended for men who have sex with men, people who are pregnant, people who are HIV positive and people who take PREP.
Younger sexually active people are also at higher risk due to higher infection rates in this group. Regular screening helps detect infections early before complications develop.
After unprotected sex
Anyone who has had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with a new or casual partner should consider a chlamydia test.
This is important even if no symptoms are present, as infection can still be passed on. Testing ensures early diagnosis and reduces the risk of onward transmission.
Routine sexual health screening
Routine screening is recommended for sexually active individuals, particularly if partners change frequently.
Regular testing helps identify infections that may otherwise go unnoticed. It also supports better sexual health and reduces long term complications.
Long Term Complications of Chlamydia
Many individuals with chlamydia experience no noticeable symptoms. If it is not treated, the infection can lead to serious health complications such as eye inflammation and arthritis symptoms while still being passed to sexual partners.
For men, chlamydia complications can also include testicular infection (epididymitis). For women, chlamydia complications can include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Chlamydia can be passed from mother to baby during vaginal childbirth. Neonatal chlamydia complications can include conjunctivitis, pneumonia, and premature delivery.
Chlamydia Treatment Information
How chlamydia is treated
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, which effectively clear the bacterial infection in most cases. Treatment is usually taken over a short course, depending on clinical guidance. Completing the full course is important even if symptoms improve quickly.
How long treatment takes
Treatment typically takes a few days to complete, although recovery from symptoms may take slightly longer. Most people recover fully once the antibiotics have been taken correctly. Follow-up advice may be given if symptoms persist.
When it is safe to have sex again
Sex should be avoided until treatment is completed and any recommended waiting period has passed. This helps prevent passing the infection to others or becoming reinfected. Clear guidance is usually provided alongside treatment.
Preventing Chlamydia
Reducing risk of infection
Reducing the number of sexual partners and using condoms consistently can lower the risk of chlamydia. Regular testing also helps identify infections early. Prevention strategies are most effective when used together.
Safer sex practices
Using condoms correctly during vaginal, anal and oral sex significantly reduces transmission risk.
Good communication with partners about sexual health also supports safer behaviour. However, no method is completely risk free.
Regular STI testing
Regular STI testing is an important part of maintaining sexual health, especially for sexually active individuals.
Testing helps detect infections early, even when there are no symptoms. Early detection reduces complications and prevents onward transmission.