Chlamydia testing
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed on through unprotected sex (sex without a condom). Chlamydia is very common in the UK and particularly among sexually active teenagers and young adults.
Find out more about Chlamydia.
If you live in England, are under 25 and are sexually active, it’s recommended that you get tested for chlamydia every year or when you change sexual partner.
How do you get tested?
Testing for chlamydia is done with a urine test or a swab test. You don’t always need a physical examination by a nurse or doctor.
You can access STI testing from our service in two ways:
- online access to self-managed postal STI testing
- a booked appointment at one of our Devon Sexual Health clinics (telephone or face-to-face)
To review your options and access testing, please register for your Devon Sexual Health Personal Health Record (PHR).
If you are aged 25 or under, as well as testing via our service you can also test by picking up a kit at a number of community services (eg. pharmacies, youth venues, GPs). This testing is supported the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, with tests provided from one of our postal testing partners: Preventx. You can search for local services that hold these kits using our find a service feature.
Your GP practice can also usually offer routine STI testing as part of any appointments you have with them, especially if you have potential symptoms of an STI.
Plymouth residents can access STI testing through SHiP.
You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to do at home from pharmacies or direct from a test kit provider.
If you live in England, you’re under 25 and you’re sexually active, you should get tested for chlamydia every year or when you change sexual partner, as you’re more likely to catch it.
Are these tests just for chlamydia?
Since early 2020 we have started to offer postal testing for under 25s for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. These STIs can be tested for on the same sample – ie. you don’t need to take extra swabs to test for both.
Depending on who your sexual partners are, and how often you change partners, you may also be offered blood testing for HIV and syphilis.
