This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Chlamydia is the most commonly notified sexually transmissible infection in Australia, with 94,184 diagnoses in 2025 (Kirby Institute, 2026). According to the Australian STI Management Guidelines, people under 30 are at greatest risk, and 85–90% of people with chlamydia have no symptoms.
Does Chlamydia Always Have Symptoms?
No. The Australian STI Management Guidelines state that 85–90% of people with chlamydia have no symptoms. Because many people don't have symptoms, testing is the only way to know whether you have it.
What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
When symptoms do occur, they depend on where the infection is. These are the symptoms listed in the Australian STI Management Guidelines:
| Site | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Vagina | Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, pain during sex |
| Penis | Pain when urinating, discharge from the penis, testicular pain |
| Anus | Anorectal symptoms |
Chlamydia can also infect the throat and eye. If you have symptoms, see a GP or sexual health clinic.
Ready to test? Our at-home kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a simple urine sample. No clinic, no collection centre, discreet delivery.
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How Long After Sex Should You Test for Chlamydia?
Wait at least two weeks after a potential exposure before testing. Testing too soon may return a negative result even if you're infected. If you tested before the two-week mark and got a negative result, retest at two weeks. Read more about how long after sex to get an STI test.
How Is Chlamydia Tested?
Chlamydia is tested using NAAT (nucleic acid amplification testing), the testing method recommended in the Australian STI Management Guidelines. The sample depends on the site being tested:
- Urine sample — tests for genital infection
- Vaginal swab — tests for vaginal infection
- Throat swab — tests for throat infection
- Anal (rectal) swab — tests for anal infection
A urine test won't detect an infection in the throat or anus. These sites need to be tested separately with a swab. The guidelines note that people without symptoms can collect most samples themselves, including vaginal, anal and throat swabs.
Who Should Get Tested for Chlamydia?
- Anyone sexually active under 30. The Australian STI Management Guidelines recommend chlamydia testing for all sexually active people under 30, and anyone who considers themselves at risk.
- Anyone with a new partner. The Department of Health recommends getting tested when you have a new sexual partner, and an STI test every 6 to 12 months if you're sexually active.
- Anyone with multiple partners or at higher risk. healthdirect recommends testing every 3 months.
- Sexual contacts of someone with chlamydia. The guidelines recommend testing all sexual contacts at the sites that may have been exposed.
- Men who have sex with men. The guidelines recommend throat and anal swabs as well as a urine test.
What Complications Can Untreated Chlamydia Cause?
The Australian STI Management Guidelines list these complications of chlamydia:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy, and other pregnancy complications including preterm delivery and low birthweight
- Epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicle and the tube behind it)
- Reactive arthritis
How Is Chlamydia Treated?
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Under the Australian STI Management Guidelines:
- Doxycycline, taken twice daily for seven days, is the first-line treatment for genital and throat chlamydia
- Azithromycin, a single dose, is an alternative, for example where taking a daily course may be difficult, and in pregnancy
Your clinician will advise which treatment is right for you. Avoid sex for seven days after starting treatment, or until your course is finished and any symptoms have resolved, whichever is later. Don't have sex with partners from the last six months until they've been tested and treated if needed.
The guidelines recommend retesting three months after treatment, because re-infection is common.
Should You Tell Your Partners?
Yes. The guidelines recommend notifying sexual partners from the past six months so they can be tested and treated. Your clinician can help with this. You can also notify partners anonymously by text or email through Let Them Know (letthemknow.org.au).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get chlamydia in the throat or anus?
Yes. As well as the genitals, chlamydia can infect the throat, anus and eye. A urine test won't detect these infections, so they need to be tested with a swab.
Can I get reinfected after treatment?
Yes. Treatment clears your current infection but doesn't stop you getting chlamydia again. Re-infection is common, which is why the guidelines recommend retesting three months after treatment.
Can I collect my own sample for a chlamydia test?
Yes. The Australian STI Management Guidelines note that people without symptoms can collect most samples themselves, including vaginal, anal and throat swabs. TestSmart's samples are processed by a NATA-accredited laboratory using NAAT.
The Bottom Line
Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know. Chlamydia is tested with a urine sample or swab, and treated with antibiotics. If you test positive, your recent partners should be notified, and you should retest after three months.
You can order an at-home STI test kit, collect your sample at home and receive clinician-reviewed results online.
Ready to test? Our at-home kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a simple urine sample. No clinic, no collection centre, discreet delivery.
Need throat and rectal testing too? See the Comprehensive Kit
This article is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice - your circumstances, symptoms, and test results should always be discussed with your reviewing clinician.