Chlamydia tests & treatment

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection, STI, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

Worryingly, most people don't experience any symptoms and therefore are unaware that they are infected. In 2018 in England alone, 218,095 people tested positive for Chlamydia at sexual health services and most people diagnosed  were under the age of 25 years old.  This accounts for 49% of all new STI diagnoses.

However, the largest proportional increase was seen in people 65 years and older.

It's advised that sexually active under 25 year olds should be tested every year and on change of sexual partner. 

We can supply test kits for men and women to check if they are clear. If not, we can supply suitable treatment, after consultation with our doctor, via a simple online medical questionnaire, discreetly packaged and quickly delivered the next working day in a convenient 1 hour time slot. 

If you have recently had unprotected sex and are worried that you may have contracted Chlamydia, it may take up to 14 days for the infection to be detected by a test kit. The test will detect the presence of genital Chlamydia only and does not detect it in your throat or rectum. If you suspect that you may have a throat or rectal infection you can buy one of our throat or/and rectal swabs to send to The Doctors Lab, TDL, for testing.

The signs and symptoms of Chlamydia, if you get any, usually appear between 1-3 weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person. Some people do not notice any symptoms until many months later or until the infection has spread.

However, if you or your partner have been diagnosed with Chlamydia and are experiencing rectal symptoms (pain in the anus, painful bowel movements, constipation, blood or pus from the rectum, ulcers in the anal area or swellings in the groin) then you may have LGV or Lymphogranuloma Venereum.  This is a treatable subset of the Chlamydia infection which tends to be more common in gay and bisexual men. Left untreated it can cause damage to the rectum.  Treatment online is not suitable, as you need to do a specific test which is available at sexual health centres, so it is important that you see someone in person to do this and get the correct treatment.  

About half of all men with Chlamydia don’t have any noticeable symptoms but if they do, the most common are:

• Pain/burning sensation when urinating
• Pain in the testicles
• Discharge from the tip of the penis that may be cloudy, white or watery.

Some men have mild symptoms that disappear after a few days. However, even if the symptoms disappear they will still have the infection and be able to transfer it to another person.

If Chlamydia is left untreated in men they are at risk of infertility, reactive arthritis or orchitis (swollen testicles).

Around 70-80% of women with Chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms. If women do get symptoms, the most common are:

• Bleeding between periods and heavier/painful periods
• Pain and/or bleeding after sex
• Pain/burning sensation when urinating
• A change in vaginal discharge (unusual smell or colour)
• Pain in the lower abdomen

If Chlamydia is left untreated in women it can spread to the womb and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It’s also a major cause of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

The most common bacterial STI's in the UK are Chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

They can both be treated very effectively and easily with antibiotics.

Sex without using a condom can increase your risk of getting a STI. Also, sex toys should be washed and covered with a new condom each time they are used.

If you have been diagnosed with an STI it’s necessary to inform any sexual partners, from the last 6 months, that they may also be at risk, so that they can be screened and have treatment if required. Also, to prevent infecting or re-infecting your partner with an STI you should both avoid any sexual contact until you both have been treated.

Chlamydia can also infect the rectum, throat or eyes if you have unprotected anal or oral sex with an infected person. Also, you may get conjunctivitis, if infected vaginal fluid or semen comes into contact with the eyes. Usually no symptoms are experienced if the throat is infected but infection of the rectum may cause bleeding, pain, discharge and discomfort.

If you suspect that you may have a throat or rectal infection you can buy one of our throat or/and rectal swabs to send to The Doctors Lab, TDL, for testing.

If you suspect that you may have a STI you can go to your GP or local genitourinary medicine (GUM)clinic, also referred to as sexual health clinics, where you can be tested and receive treatment. If you prefer to use our fast, discreet, confidential service you can order a test kit online from us at WebMed Pharmacy, to be used in the comfort of your own home. You only have to provide a urine sample for men or a simple vaginal swab for women; it’s quick, easy and effective whist avoiding any potential embarrassment.

The Test kits are posted in discreet plain unmarked packaging with no indication of their contents.

If you order an STI kit from us at WebMed Pharmacy by 4pm Monday to Friday, you will receive it the next working day delivered by DPD*, for all mainland UK except the Scottish Highlands. There is no additional cost for postage unless you wish it to be delivered on a Saturday or Sunday.

The kits are posted in discreet plain unmarked packaging with no indication of their contents. You will then send your sample, in the pre-paid envelope; to The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) in London**. They are the largest independent providers of clinical laboratory diagnostic services in the UK. Once the lab has received your sample, your results will be available 2-3 days later. We will contact you by your chosen method, email or SMS to let you know that there is a message in your “in box” via your secure login at WebMed Pharmacy to get the results.

If your test is positive for Chlamydia or gonorrhoea we will ask that you complete a simple medical questionnaire that our Doctor can assess for your suitability and, if approved, be prescribed the oral antibiotics to treat the infection.

If you or your partner have already tested positive for a STI by using a home test kit from another site or from visiting a sexual health clinic then you may still complete our simple medical questionnaire that our Doctor can assess for your suitability and, if approved, you can be prescribed oral antibiotics to treat the infection.

*For the Scottish Highlands, we use Royal Mail Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next day for most post codes. Full postal details are available if you go to the “Delivery” tab.

**The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) www.tdlpathology.com