The at-home chlamydia and gonorrhoea test checks for these STIs in the genital region (penis or vagina). The tests are easy to use, with people with a penis needing to provide a urine sample and people with a vagina needing to provide a vaginal swab.

This test does not test for these infections in your throat or rectum, but we also offer oral tests and anal tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Each kit comes with everything you need to provide a sample, including detailed instructions and a prepaid envelope for returning your sample to our partner lab.

Anyone sexually active should consider regularly testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, especially if you are under 25, as this is the age group where these infections are most common. However, you should also get tested if you:

• have symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhoea
• have had unprotected sex
• think you may have been exposed to the infection
• have a new sexual partner or multiple partners
• are gay, bisexual, or identify as a man who has sex with men (MSM)
• are pregnant
• have been told that a sexual partner has tested positive

Although in most cases, both infections are asymptomatic (do not cause any symptoms), you may get the following symptoms.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea symptoms in women are:

• abnormal vaginal discharge
• bleeding between periods or after sex
• a burning sensation when going for a pee
• lower abdominal pain

Symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in men are:

• white, cloudy, watery discharge from the penis
• burning and itching around the testicles and penis
• pain and swelling in the testicles
• a burning feeling when you go for a pee

You should wait at least 2 weeks after exposure to chlamydia or gonorrhoea before doing a test to make sure you get an accurate result. This is known as the “window period” and refers to the time between when you may have contracted an STI and when a test can detect the infection in the body.

If you test too early, you may not get an accurate result because there may not be enough of the infection present to be picked up by the test.

There are 2 types of chlamydia and gonorrhoea test kits, depending on whether you have a penis or a vagina. If you're unsure which test is right for you, our doctors can help. Each test is easy to use, and they test for the same bacteria – the only difference is the type of sample you need to provide.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test for men

If you have a penis, you will need to provide a urine (pee) sample. It is important that you do not pee for at least 1 hour before collecting your sample.

To take the test, you will need to:

1. Complete the sample collection tube label using a ballpoint pen, filling in your personal details.
2. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly.
3. Place the sample collection tube into one of the larger holes in the tray.
4. Remove the cap from the tube and place it foil side up, setting it aside while you collect your sample. Be careful not to spill any of the liquid from the tube.
5. Squeeze the sides of the urine collection box to expand it, taking care not to puncture the inner plastic lining.
6. Pass the first part of your urine into the urine collection box until it is half full, then finish in the toilet.
7. Gently place the end of the pipette into the urine collection box, taking care not to puncture the plastic lining. Squeeze the end of the pipette to draw urine up to the top mark on the pipette.
8. Gently squeeze the end of the pipette to fill the urine specimen transport tube. Fill the tube so that the urine is between the 2 black lines printed on the side of the tube.
9. Screw the cap firmly back onto the urine transport tube.
10. Apply the complete label onto the tube, taking care not to cover the fill lines.
11. Discard any urine left in the collection box down the toilet and throw the box and the pipette away.
12. Put the urine specimen transport tube into the transport pouch. Peel off the adhesive backing strip, fold over the top flap, and seal firmly.
13. Post your sample back to us and wait for your results.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test for women

If you have a vagina, you will need to provide a sample using a swab.

1. Complete the sample collection tube label using a ballpoint pen, filling in your personal details.
2. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly.
3. Place the sample collection tube into one of the larger holes in the tray.
4. Remove the cap from the tube and place it foil side up, setting it aside while you collect your sample. Be careful not to spill any of the liquid from the tube.
5. Remove the swab from its packaging and use 1 hand to hold the plastic shaft in the middle of the black line.
6. With your legs apart, use your other hand to gently spread the skin outside your vagina. Insert the cotton tip of the swab into your vagina, pointing the tip towards your lower back and relaxing your muscles.
7. Gently insert the swab so that it is about 5cm in. If the swab does not slide easily, gently rotate it as you put it in. If it is too difficult to insert, do not continue.
8. Once in position, rotate the swab for 5 seconds, making sure it touches the walls of your vagina, then carefully remove.
9. Carefully put the swab, cotton tip down, into the collection tube. Holding the tube steady, snap the stick off at the black line.
10. Throw the end of the swab in the bin, leaving the cotton end in the liquid. Screw the cap back onto the tube tightly.
11. Place the tube in the transport pouch. Peel off the adhesive backing strip, fold over the top flap, and seal firmly.
12. Post your sample back to us and wait for your results.

How long does the test take?

Collecting your sample should only take 5 to 10 minutes. However, there is no rush, so take your time. It can help to read the instructions a couple of times before collecting your sample and arranging all of the equipment, so you have it to hand.

Once our lab has received your sample, you should get your result in your patient account within 72 hours.

If taken at the right time and if the sample is taken correctly, the genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea test is 100%* accurate at detecting chlamydia and gonorrhoea-causing bacteria. You will need to wait 14 days from when you think you may have been infected for the most accurate results. Doing the test before this time may give you a false negative result.

Once our partner laboratory receives your sample, we aim to share your results within 72 hours in your patient account. We will never email or text you your results. Instead, we will send you an email notifying you when your results are ready to view.

To make sure we can provide you with your results as soon as possible, it’s best to do your test and take it straight to a post box or Post Office, which you know will be collected on the same day. Posting your test on a weekend or a Bank Holiday may slow down how long it takes for the lab to receive your sample.

Once you receive your results, you’ll either get a negative or a positive result. Depending on your result, our doctors will provide guidance on the next steps, which may include seeking treatment or referring you to another healthcare provider.

What does a negative test result mean?

If you have received a negative test result, it means that at the time you took your sample, you did not have chlamydia or gonorrhoea, and there is nothing else you need to do.

If you tested too early and received a negative result, you should retest after 14 days, especially if you think you may have been infected, to get a more accurate result.

What does a positive test result mean?

If you have received a positive result, it means that you have chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea, and that you require treatment.

You can request chlamydia treatment from Superdrug Online Doctor after receiving a positive result. The preferred treatment consists of a 7-day course of doxycycline capsules.

We no longer provide gonorrhoea treatment, but one of our doctors will advise you on what you need to do and where you can go to get effective treatment.

Antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but because they are caused by different bacteria, the same antibiotics cannot be used for both infections. Antibiotics work to kill the bacteria causing chlamydia and gonorrhoea by stopping them from multiplying.

Treating chlamydia

If you have chlamydia, the first-line treatment is the antibiotic doxycycline. You can request doxycycline for chlamydia from Superdrug Online Doctor. The usual dose is one 100mg capsule twice a day for 7 days. Some research shows that doxycycline is 100% effective at treating chlamydia. Doxycycline is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to get it.

To request doxycycline from us, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete a short online health questionnaire.
2. Sign up or log in to your account.
3. Choose your preferred treatment.
4. A doctor will review your request to determine if treatment is suitable for you.
5. If your request is approved, your treatment can be posted to you or a local Superdrug Pharmacy for collection.

Treating gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea treatment is no longer available from Superdrug Online Doctor because you may require further tests to ensure you are prescribed the correct antibiotics. The standard treatment is a single injection containing the antibiotic ceftriaxone. If you cannot take this, then you may be given tablets, such as:

• gentamicin
• cefixime
• azithromycin
• ciprofoxacin

Can you still have sex while waiting for results?

No, it is important that you do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex until you (and your partner) have received a negative test result. If you have sex while waiting for your result, and you test positive for either STI, you could pass it on.

Does the test detect other STIs?

No, this test only detects genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea. If you think you may have a different STI, our STI testing service offers a range of tests that can be conducted at home.

Do I need to contact my partners if I test positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea?

Yes, if you can, you should let any sexual partners know that you have tested positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea so that they can get tested and treated, if necessary.

If you are unable to contact them or you feel uncomfortable doing so, a sexual health clinic can help you do this anonymously. If you test with us, we can also do this for you.

How soon will chlamydia and gonorrhea show up on a test?

The “window period” for both chlamydia and gonorrhoea is 14 days. So, this is how long you should wait before doing a test, as this will give enough time for the infection to be detected. If you test too early, it may not show up on the test, giving you a false negative result.

What is one of the first signs of gonorrhea?

In people with a penis, discharge from the penis and pain when going for a pee tend to appear 2 to 8 days after being infected. While in people with a vagina, early symptoms include pain when going for a pee, abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, and increased or abnormal vaginal discharge.

Gonorrhoea is asymptomatic in around 10% of men and 50% of women, but symptoms can vary between sexes.

Can I take this test if I’m pregnant?

Yes, you can safely take this test if you are pregnant.

Can I take this test if I’m on my period?

Yes, you can take this test while on your period, as it should not affect your results. However, it can be more challenging and potentially uncomfortable to collect a vaginal swab sample if you are on your period.