Chlamydia and gonorrhea test (NAAT)

What it measures

NAAT copies tiny amounts of bacterial DNA or RNA until the lab can detect it, which makes it very sensitive. A urine sample checks the genital tract. Throat and rectal infections need their own swabs, and a urine test will miss them. The CDC recommends yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women under 25 and for older women at higher risk.

Who should consider it

• Sexually active women under 25, every year, per CDC
• Anyone with a new partner or more than one partner
• People with discharge, burning when peeing, pelvic pain, or testicle pain (see a clinician too)
• Anyone whose partner was diagnosed with either infection
• Men who have sex with men, at least yearly, with throat and rectal swabs as needed

How to read your result

• Each infection gets its own result: detected or not detected.
• A negative urine result does not rule out a throat or rectal infection.
• Testing very soon after an exposure can miss an infection. Retest if symptoms start or your clinician advises it.
• After treatment, the CDC advises retesting about 3 months later, because reinfection is common.

Reference ranges differ between labs. Use the range printed on your own report.

What to do next

Antibiotics cure both chlamydia and gonorrhea. See a clinician or health department clinic for treatment, and avoid sex until you and your partners finish treatment and the waiting period your clinician gives you. Tell recent partners so they can get treated. Untreated infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and trouble getting pregnant.