Ranking Criteria Explained
In an effort to make our ranking system as objective and fair as possible, we’ve introduced a number of criteria that allow us to easily determine the best chlamydia testing providers on the market.
The key criteria we employ include test variety and quality, as well as test accuracy and the possibility of test error and failure. We conduct meticulous research in order to assess the competency of the medical staff and inspect lab certifications with the goal of determining whether the testing providers we take into consideration are worth your trust.
The remaining criteria are related to factors that shape client experience. These include average turnaround times, quality of user support, and last but not least, pricing. The solutions that satisfy all of these criteria and potentially boast additional features of use to clients are featured on our list of the best chlamydia tests available on the market.
Our Top Picks
Our list of recommended STD testing options comprises of providers that received the highest scores throughout our ranking process. Read the following mini-reviews to learn more about our top picks and their testing options.
STDcheck
STDCheck is one of the best STD testing providers on the market. It was launched 7 years ago in Houston, TX, and features an A+ rating with the BBB. With STDCheck, you can order a single chlamydia test (89.00$), combine it with gonorrhea testing (129.00$) or have it as a part of the provided screening panels (198.00$ and 349.00$).
The company will use your urine sample to test for chlamydia, so there’s no need for any swabbing or undressing. The biological specimen is collected in one of the 4,500 testing centers nationwide. The company uses the FDA-approved NAA (Nucleic Acid Amplification) test, which is the most accurate and reliable chlamydia testing option on the market.
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked is a reliable online platform that connects people with some of the best screening labs in the world and provides them with affordable and discreet at-home testing ranging from the most common STDs to cancer. It cooperates with more than 1,000 pharmacies and stores around the globe.
LetsGetChecked offers 4 different testing panels that screen for chlamydia: Simple 2 (chlamydia, gonorrhea), Basic 3 (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis), Standard 6 (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, hep B), and Complete 11 (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, hep B, Gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, herpes simplex 1 and 2). The average turnaround time is between 2 and 5 business days.
myLAB Box
MyLAB Box is a reputable provider of at-home STD testing currently operating in all 50 states. The company was launched in 2013 in Los Angeles, California, aiming to encourage its customers to take full control over their health with convenient and budget-friendly STD testing solutions.
The company offers 6 different testing options capable of detecting chlamydia infections, which include Chlamydia + Gonorrhea Home Test (79.00$), Chlamydia + Gonorrhea 3-Site Test for detection in the mouth, anus, and genital area (179.00$), Love Box (499.00$), Safe Box (189.99$), Uber Box (269.00$), and Total Box (369.00 – 399.00$). The test results are as accurate as the ones received in a clinic and are usually available within 1-5 business days, depending on the complexity of the test in question.
Personalabs
Personalabs is a dedicated personal health hub for all clients who want to take full control over their health and wellness without uncomfortable talks with their doctors or insurance providers. The company was launched back in 2006 and currently offers more than 2,300 testing locations thanks to its partnership with LabCorp.
Personalabs currently offers a multitude of different testing options equipped to detect chlamydia infections, including its Comprehensive STD Blood Test (471.00$), 11 Panel STD Blood Test (463.00$), STD Mini Panel (190.00$), Chlamydia and Gonorrhea by NAA Urine Test (108.00$), and Chlamydia trachomatis Antibodies, Quantitative, IgM Blood Test (94.00$). The results are usually available within 2-3 business days but may take up to 7-10 days, depending on the test in question.
STD Testing 24/7
STD Testing 24/7, as its name implies, is well-known for its non-stop service and user support. It was founded in 2014 by PHAS Group LLC. Testing is currently available at 4,000 testing locations all across the US.
The company offers chlamydia detection in two of its testing solutions. These include its 8 Test Panel (199.95$; 299.95$ with HIV Early Detection Test) and stand-alone Chlamydia Test (69.95$). STD Testing 24/7 uses the Nucleic Acid Amplification test to detect the presence of the pathogen’s genetic material in the client’s urine.
The test is FDA-approved and yield results in 3 business days or less. Note that STD Testing 24/7 currently doesn’t offer anal or throat swabbing for chlamydia infection.
Any Lab Test Now
Any Lab Test Now is a franchise-based company focused on direct access laboratory testing. It was conceived in 2007 after Any Test Franchising Inc. acquired the legal rights to franchise the business model. Any Lab Test Now currently operates more than 160 independently owned and operated stores across the US.
The company offers a bundled version of chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for 129.00$. These two tests are often done together since they use the same biological specimen (urine sample) and testing procedure. Any Lab Test Now also uses the Nucleic Acid Amplification process, which is used to detect the genetic material of the pathogen making copies of its nucleic acid.
PlushCare
PlushCare is a private online health clinic focused on internal medicine and urgent care. It complements its service with online doctor’s visits and telemedicine. The company was founded in 2014 in San Francisco, CA, and it quickly became famous among users with its budget-friendly prices and top-quality service.
When it comes to chlamydia testing, you can order its dedicated testing bundle, which also includes gonorrhea for 90.00$. Alternatively, you can order all of the PlushCare STD tests (chlamydia & gonorrhea, herpes 1 & 2, HIV antibody, hepatitis B & C, and syphilis) for 199.00$ and save exactly 110.00$. Test results are usually ready within 3 business days and immediately sent to your provided email address.
Walk-In Lab
Walk-In Lab is a name that perfectly describes this BBB-accredited online testing company founded back in 2009 in Madisonville, LA. Its main advantage lies in its budget-friendly pricing and numerous draw centers in high-traffic locations all over the US.
As far as chlamydia testing is concerned, the company features 3 different options, including its STD #2 Essential Blood & Urine Test Panel with 9 tests (199.99$), STD #3 Extreme Blood and Urine Test Panel, 15 Tests (449.00$), and Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Urine Test, Random (95.00$). The tests included in the panels are performed using the NAA method (Nucleic Acid Amplification). Note that “NAA” means exactly the same thing as “NAAT,” only without the “T” for “test” at the end. The test results are usually generated within 2-3 business days and the company sends out an email notification the moment they’re ready.
EverlyWell
EverlyWell is a private company dedicated to health, wellness, preventive medicine, and digital health. It offers numerous testing solutions and STD panels. It was launched in 2015 in Austin, Texas, by its current CEO Julia Taylor Cheek.
When it comes to chlamydia detection and STD testing in general, for that matter, EverlyWell offers two screening panels, STD Test – Male and STD Test – Female, both costing 199.00$. Apart from chlamydia, the panels also include hep C, syphilis, gonorrhea, HSV type 2, trichomoniasis, and HIV. The company also features a dedicated Chlamydia & Gonorrhea testing option for 69.00$. The test results are usually ready within 5 business days. The company will send you an email notification once your report is generated and you’ll be able to inspect it using your personal EverlyWell account.
Private iDNA
Private iDNA was launched in 2016, making it one of the youngest companies on our list of the best online chlamydia tests currently on the market. It’s located in Dallas, Texas, and it’s mostly recognized for its convenient and affordable test bundles. If you suspect recent exposure to chlamydia or experience some of the known symptoms, you can confirm or negate your suspicions with the company’s Chlamydia test (68.00$), Simple Testing Bundle (68.00$), Common Testing Bundle (98.00$), Complete Testing Bundle (198.00$), and Comprehensive screening kit (298.00). The company uses the Strand Displacement Amplification Technology, which is a well-known NAAT testing method. Test results are available within 2-7 business days, depending on the testing option you choose.
Conclusion
Chlamydia is also known as a “silent” STD, meaning most of the infected individuals will be asymptomatic. According to studies, only 5-30% of women and 10% of men infected with chlamydia will develop symptoms at some point. The incubation period for chlamydia is also defined rather poorly. What we do know, however, is that the organism has a very slow replication cycle, which means the symptoms may appear several weeks after the initial exposure, provided the individual develops them in the first place.
The initial damage caused by a chlamydia infection will usually go unnoticed. However, if left undetected and untreated, chlamydia can cause some serious health problems with long-term consequences. An untreated chlamydial infection in women can spread into the fallopian tubes or uterus and cause PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). 10 to 15% of women who leave chlamydia untreated will develop symptomatic PID. Chlamydia can also cause subclinical PID (subclinical inflammation of the upper genital tract). Subclinical and acute PID can both cause permanent damage to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissues. The ensuing damage can lead to tubal factor infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and even fatal ectopic pregnancy. Some individuals can also develop Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome or perihepatitis.
In pregnant women, chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis, pre-term delivery, and pneumonia in the newborn. In some cases, both men and women with an untreated chlamydial infection can develop reactive arthritis. Furthermore, undetected and untreated chlamydia can increase the chances of acquiring/transmitting HIV.
In men, chlamydia is known to spread to the epididymis and testicles, causing pain and swelling. The most common treatment for this inflammation is antibiotics, but it can lead to infertility if left untreated. Note that the previously mentioned reactive arthritis (SARA) is more common in men than women. It affects the urethra, eyes, and joints causing them to become inflamed. Currently, we have no cure for SARA, but most individuals will get better in a couple of months.
So, any sexually active individual can acquire a chlamydia infection at any given moment. If you suspect potential exposure, you shouldn’t wait until you exhibit some of the symptoms since, as we already mentioned, chlamydia can ravage your body without showing any prior signals of the infection. Potential symptoms to look for, however, include burning during urination, genital discharge or any unusual rash or sores in the genital area.
It is, therefore, very important to test for chlamydia if you’ve been sexually active within the past few weeks, notice any of the mentioned symptoms, and especially if your sexual partner was recently diagnosed with an STD. Once discovered, chlamydia is very easily cured with a simple antibiotics treatment. It is also recommended that the person abstains from any sexual activities for 7 days if they received a single dose of antibiotics or until they complete a 7-day course of antibiotics.