Can You Get a Chlamydia or Gonorrhea Lab Tests Online?

Yes! Sesame has partnered with over 1,500 Quest Diagnostic locations to offer blood testing - such as STI testing - without having to see a doctor first. When you visit a doctor’s office, you will usually have to pay for both the blood test and the doctor’s order for the test. When you schedule your blood test online through Sesame, the price of the doctor’s order is included with the price of the test. With labs purchased through Sesame, you are guaranteed the best cash price for your comprehensive metabolic panel test - no insurance needed.

If you’re ready to book a lab test, follow these simple steps:
1) Search for the type of lab test you are looking for (e.g., “Chlamydia Lab Test”, or “Gonorrhea Lab Test”).
2) Browse Quest Diagnostics locations to find the patient service center that is most convenient for you.
3) Either book a walk-in appointment or schedule a visit for a time that works best for you.
4) 4) Save 50-60% on your test with our online-only prices. Pay a one-time price upfront without ever having to see a doctor.
5) We send immediately send your order to the clinic of your choosing so that you can get your testing done that very same day. Either head to the office for a walk-in appointment, or show up at your scheduled appointment time.

Can’t find the test you’re looking for? Email us at support@sesamecare.com or call us at 1 (877) 947-6411 between 9 AM and 5 PM Central, Monday through Friday. We'll try to find you a lab or blood test as quickly as we can.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are detected through cell sample tests and urinalysis. Both diseases are spread through unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sexual intercourse. Women may pass gonorrhea to an unborn child if they have not been treated for the condition while pregnant.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be difficult to detect without undergoing urinalysis or cell sampling as they may cause mild-to-no symptoms. Because of this, it is important to undergo screening for gonorrhea or chlamydia if you think you may have an infection, or if you are at an increased risk of contracting one of these diseases. If left untreated, these sexually transmitted infections can cause serious complications such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy problems (such as an ectopic pregnancy).

Like other STDs, chlamydia and gonorrhea may exhibit few symptoms early on in the infection. Because of this, they are hard to detect without testing. Early detection of these sexually transmitted diseases can help improve the efficacy of treatment and may prevent you from spreading the infection to others.

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea, you should tell any sexual partners you have about the diagnosis so that they can be tested and treated - if needed. Even though this can be awkward or uncomfortable, honesty can help these individuals receive proper treatment right away. Early detection can also prevent medical complications - such as those listed above - for both you and your partner.

Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are common bacterial infections. In many cases, these diseases result in little to no symptoms. However, in other cases, symptoms include:

Gonorrhea

Common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:

• Pain during urination
  
• Off-color discharge from the penis
  
• Testicular pain
  

Common symptoms in women include:

• Pain during urination
  
• Bleeding between menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse
  
• Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
  
• White or yellowish vaginal discharge
  

In addition to infecting the genitals, gonorrhea can infect the rectum, the eyes, and the throat. The most common symptoms of these infections include pain and discharge from the affected area. Pregnant women can pass a gonorrhea infection to their babies during childbirth. This can lead to serious medical conditions such as blindness and sores on the body.

While early symptoms of gonorrhea are generally mild - sometimes even unnoticeable - if the infection is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. These include:

• Infertility
  
• Increased risk of HIV/ AIDS
  
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  
• Heart and brain damage
  
• Joint infection
  

Chlamydia

Common symptoms of chlamydia include:

• Clear or white discharge from the vagina or penis
  
• Burning pain during urination
  
• Testicular pain in men
  
• Itching or burning sensations around the vagina in women
  
• Bleeding between menstrual periods and after intercourse in women
  

In addition to the sex organs, chlamydia can infect the rectum which may cause rectal bleeding, pain, and discharge. Bodily fluids carrying the bacteria can also infect the eye, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Symptoms of chlamydia may be so mild that you don’t even notice them. If left untreated, however, chlamydia can lead to serious complications such as:

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This can be extremely painful and may damage the reproductive organs.

- Infertility and sterility: A chlamydia infection can damage reproductive organs in both men and women. If left untreated, chlamydia can damage and scar these areas so badly that the infected person is unable to conceive children.

- Newborn infection: The chlamydia bacteria can be passed to a child during delivery, resulting in illness and infection of the child. In some cases, infection to a newborn can be life-threatening.

- Premature birth or ectopic pregnancy: A chlamydia infection increases the risk of giving birth too early, which can be dangerous for the newborn child. Additionally, chlamydia increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus. The egg must be removed to avoid life-threatening complications.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following groups get tested annually:

• Sexually active women under the age of 25
  
• Women over the age of 25 with multiple sexual partners
  
• Gay or bisexual men
  
• Individuals with HIV
  
• People who have been forced to have sexual activity against their will
  

Pregnant women should be tested early in pregnancy because an STD infection can lead to low birth weight, premature labor, or a miscarriage. The CDC also recommends that teens and adults ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once.

Women undergoing gonorrhea/chlamydia testing will have a small cell sample taken from their cervix via a cotton swab or brush. This should cause no pain or discomfort. If you do not feel comfortable receiving gonorrhea/chlamydia tests in person, you may be able to perform the test at home with a kit. If this is the case, consult with the clinic about what kit to use and how to pass along your sample.

Men may have a cell sample taken from the opening of the urethra for both gonorrhea and chlamydia tests.

In some cases, for both men and women, a urine sample may be used to detect the presence of these diseases.

After a urine sample is collected, the vial containing the urine will be given to a lab for testing. Similarly, if a cotton swab or brush was used to collect cell samples, these instruments will be given to the lab for testing.

Women may be asked to avoid douching and vaginal creams for up to 24 hours before a screening appointment. For both men and women, if your doctor orders a urine test as a screen for chlamydia or gonorrhea, you may be asked to refrain from urinating 1-2 hours before your appointment.

Sesame is the fastest way to book a discreet STI test - at the best cash price. Use our booking platform to schedule a lab test directly at the most convenient Quest lab near you. This takes about 2 minutes. Once you’ve finished checking out, we send your order directly to the lab so you can get your testing done that day - often with results in 24 hours. That’s convenience you won’t find anywhere else.

Sources: Mayo Clinic. MCTGC. Accessed 12/7/21. https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/43721#Clinical-and-Interpretive MedlinePlus. Chlamydia Test. Accessed 12/7/21. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/chlamydia-test/ MedlinePlus. Gonorrhea Test. Accessed 12/7/21. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/gonorrhea-test/ Quest Diagnostics. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Accessed 12/7/21. https://questdirect.questdiagnostics.com/products/gonorrhea-and-chlamydia