<a href="/cervical-cancer/cervical-screening-test">Cervical screening tests</a> help prevent <a href="/cervical-cancer">cervical cancer</a> by checking the health of the entrance of the womb (cervix) and detecting abnormal cells. Cervical screening doesn't include tests for chlamydia or other <a href="/sexually-transmitted-infections">sexually transmitted infections (STIs)</a>, such as <a href="/sexually-transmitted-infections/gonorrhoea">gonorrhoea</a>. If you want to be tested for chlamydia when you go for your smear test, ask your doctor or nurse. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232384,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232384,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Cervical screening 

If you're sexually active and under 25, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) recommends you should be tested for chlamydia each year, or when you change your sexual partner. Regardless of age, you should also get tested for chlamydia if: <ul> <li>you or your partner think you have any symptoms</li> <li>you've had unprotected sex with a new partner</li> </ul> ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232384,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Who should have a chlamydia test? 

You can get a free chlamydia test at: <ul> <li>your GP surgery</li> <li>a sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic</li> <li>a contraceptive and young people's clinic</li> </ul> If you go to a clinic, your records will be kept there and the information won't be shared with your GP unless you give your permission. Your visit is completely confidential. You can also buy a chlamydia test from a pharmacy to use at home. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232384,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Where to get a chlamydia test 

There are 2 ways of testing for chlamydia in women: <ul> <li>using a urine sample by taking a swab of cells from the cervix or inside the vagina A swab looks like a cotton bud, but the head is smaller and rounder, and on a longer stick.</li> </ul> In men, chlamydia tests are done with a urine sample. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232384,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Testing for chlamydia 

Chlamydia doesn't always cause symptoms, so you may not know you have it. In women, symptoms of chlamydia can include: <ul> <li>cystitis (pain when passing urine) </li> <li>a change in your vaginal discharge </li> <li>lower abdominal pain </li> <li>pain or bleeding during sex </li> <li>bleeding after sex </li> <li>bleeding between periods or heavier periods</li> </ul>

Symptoms of chlamydia 

If you think you or your partner may have chlamydia, it's important to get medical advice so the infection can be treated with antibiotics. If chlamydia isn't treated, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause long-term health problems, such as infertility (being unable to have children).

Treating chlamydia 



## Cervical screening 

[Cervical screening tests](/cervical-cancer/cervical-screening-test) help prevent [cervical cancer](/cervical-cancer) by checking the health of the entrance of the womb (cervix) and detecting abnormal cells.

Cervical screening doesn't include tests for chlamydia or other [sexually transmitted infections (STIs)](/sexually-transmitted-infections), such as [gonorrhoea](/sexually-transmitted-infections/gonorrhoea).

If you want to be tested for chlamydia when you go for your smear test, ask your doctor or nurse.


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## Who should have a chlamydia test? 

If you're sexually active and under 25, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) recommends you should be tested for chlamydia each year, or when you change your sexual partner.

Regardless of age, you should also get tested for chlamydia if:

- you or your partner think you have any symptoms
- you've had unprotected sex with a new partner


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232384,233460
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## Where to get a chlamydia test 

You can get a free chlamydia test at:

- your GP surgery
- a sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic
- a contraceptive and young people's clinic

If you go to a clinic, your records will be kept there and the information won't be shared with your GP unless you give your permission. Your visit is completely confidential.

You can also buy a chlamydia test from a pharmacy to use at home.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232384,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Testing for chlamydia 

There are 2 ways of testing for chlamydia in women:

- using a urine sample by taking a swab of cells from the cervix or inside the vagina A swab looks like a cotton bud, but the head is smaller and rounder, and on a longer stick.

In men, chlamydia tests are done with a urine sample.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232384,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Symptoms of chlamydia 

Chlamydia doesn't always cause symptoms, so you may not know you have it. In women, symptoms of chlamydia can include:

- cystitis (pain when passing urine) 
- a change in your vaginal discharge 
- lower abdominal pain 
- pain or bleeding during sex 
- bleeding after sex 
- bleeding between periods or heavier periods 

## Treating chlamydia 

If you think you or your partner may have chlamydia, it's important to get medical advice so the infection can be treated with antibiotics.

If chlamydia isn't treated, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause long-term health problems, such as infertility (being unable to have children).

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References

Will I be tested for chlamydia during my smear test?

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

Smear tests (cervical screening) don't include tests for chlamydia. Learn about Chlamydia tests here - using content verified by certified doctors.