Guidance

Information about testing for chlamydia: text version

Published 15 September 2023

This is for women, trans men, non-binary (assigned female at birth) and other people with a womb and ovaries.

What chlamydia is

Chlamydia is an infection which one person can give to another through unprotected sex.

Unprotected sex includes when the person you’re having sex with does not wear a condom on their penis while having sex.

If chlamydia is not treated it can lead to serious health problems in women, for example infection in and around the womb.

Sometimes these infections can result in not being able to have children.

What happens if you have chlamydia

Some people with chlamydia:

• may not know they have chlamydia

• have pain in their tummy below the tummy button

• have pain when they go to the toilet

• have pain when having sex

• have bleeding after sex or have bleeding between periods or both

How to know if you have chlamydia

To find out if you have chlamydia you need to take a swab from your vagina. A cotton wool bud is used to wipe the area.

How this is done:

1. Get into a comfortable position as if you were going to insert a tampon. You may want to lie down to do the swab.
2. Take the cotton wool bud out of the test kit packet.
3. Softly push the cotton wool bud a little way inside your vagina. You may find it helpful to use a mirror to do this.
4. Turn the swab round inside your vagina for a few seconds.
5. Carefully take the cotton wool bud out of your vagina – make sure it does not touch anything else.
6. Put the cotton wool bud into the container and put the lid on tightly.
7. Put the container into the plastic bag and seal.
8. Give the container to your nurse or health worker.

If the test finds chlamydia you will need antibiotics to treat the infection.

Follow the instructions on the packet about how may tablets you should take and when.

It is important that we know who else you have had sex with.

They may need our help as well.

Using condoms:

• every time you have sex can stop you getting chlamydia

• will help stop lots of other infections too

• can also help to stop you getting pregnant

Where to get more information or talk to someone about chlamydia

For more information visit:

• NHS.UK: chlamydia
• National Chlamydia Screening Programme: patient information leaflet

You can also call the sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123.

Minicom: 0800 521 361

A print version of this easy read guide is available to download for health and care professionals and carers to use with people with learning difficulties.