Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test (Urogenital, TMA)
This test looks for the genetic material of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a urogenital sample. Both infections often cause no symptoms at all, which is why routine testing is the usual way people find out where they stand.
About this test
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections, and they are frequently tested together because they are transmitted the same way and often occur together. Both are extremely common, both are manageable with care from a clinician, and testing for them is a routine, unremarkable part of looking after your health.
This assay uses transcription-mediated amplification, or TMA. Instead of looking for the body's immune response, TMA looks directly for the organisms' nucleic acid in the sample, amplifying it so the laboratory can identify very small amounts.
Who might consider this test?
- People commonly order chlamydia and gonorrhea testing as part of routine sexual health care
- At regular intervals, when starting a relationship, after a partner suggests testing together, or when something simply feels worth checking.
Test details
| Quest code | 11363 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Transcription-Mediated Amplification |
| Sample type | 1 vaginal swab; 1 endocervical or urethral swab; 2 mL urine; 1 mL liquid cytology ThinPrep® PreservCyt® in Aptima® Transfer Tube or; 0.5 mL SurePath™ Preservative Fluid |
| Patient preparation | Do not urinate for 1 hour before collection. If you are female, do not cleanse the labial area before collection. |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
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Additional details
Why these two are tested together
Chlamydia and gonorrhea share transmission routes and often appear in the same setting, so laboratories run them as a pair from a single sample. That keeps collection simple and gives a clinician a fuller picture from one visit.
A combined result also helps a clinician think about follow-up sensibly. Whatever the outcome, both infections have well-established care pathways, and partners are usually part of that conversation.
What the TMA method looks at
TMA looks for the genetic material of the organisms themselves rather than for antibodies your immune system has produced. That direct approach is why nucleic acid amplification methods are the standard for these two infections and why a small amount of organism in a sample can still be identified.
Because it looks for current presence rather than immune memory, this kind of test speaks to the sample collected that day. It says nothing about past infections that have resolved, and a clinician interprets it with your recent history in mind.
Collecting the sample
Urogenital collection usually means a urine sample or a swab, following the instructions provided for the test. For urine collection, laboratories generally ask that you not urinate for a period beforehand, since a first-catch sample carries more material — the instructions you receive will spell this out.
The visit itself is quick and handled with the same discretion as any other laboratory work. If you have questions about which sample type applies to you, a clinician can clarify before you go.
Privacy, cost, and results
Because you pay a cash price directly, no claim goes to an insurer and nothing shows up on an insurance statement. The price beside the order button includes the physician's order, so there is no separate consultation fee to arrange it. Your result is delivered securely to you, and it is yours to share with a clinician or a partner if and when you choose. If a result needs follow-up, a clinician can talk it through and arrange next steps without judgment.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What sample does this test use?
A urogenital sample — typically urine or a swab, depending on your anatomy and the instructions provided with the test. The laboratory looks for the genetic material of chlamydia and gonorrhea in that sample.
How much does a chlamydia and gonorrhea test cost?
The cash price is shown beside the order button and covers both organisms plus the physician's order. No insurance is billed, so nothing appears on an insurance statement, and there is no separate doctor's visit charge.
Can I have chlamydia or gonorrhea without symptoms?
Yes. Both infections frequently cause no noticeable symptoms, which is why many people test routinely rather than waiting for something to feel wrong.
Do I need a doctor's appointment first?
No. The physician's order is arranged when you purchase the test, so you can go directly to a patient service center for collection.
What happens if a result is positive?
A clinician reviews the result with you, discusses care, and talks through notifying partners. Both infections have well-established management pathways, and the conversation is a routine one for clinicians.
Is my result private?
Yes. Results are delivered securely to you as a PDF, and you decide whether to share them.
Do I need to prepare for this test?
Do not urinate for 1 hour before collection. If you are female, do not cleanse the labial area before collection. This is the preparation Quest publishes for this test; if your clinician gives you different instructions, follow theirs.