How is LGV treated?
LGV is usually easy to cure with antibiotics. Treatment is free.
You will usually have antibiotic tablets called doxycycline. You take these every day for 1 to 3 weeks, depending on your symptoms. Sometimes a different antibiotic may be used.
After starting treatment, any symptoms usually get better in 1 to 2 weeks. If you have had LGV for a long time, it may take up to 6 weeks.
If the LGV was detected early, you may get symptoms for the first time after testing or even after starting treatment. This is not usually anything to worry about. Symptoms should still clear up in a week or two.
LGV will not usually cause any lasting problems as long as it is detected and treated early enough.
If symptoms don’t go away, you may need more tests or treatment.
FAQs about free chlamydia/LGV testing
Why should I get a free chlamydia/LGV test?
Not everyone with LGV will get symptoms, so you could have it without knowing.
If you have chlamydia in the rectum (bum) and you have a higher chance of having LGV then it’s advisable to get checked out at a sexual health clinic. They can do a free LGV test.
Unless LGV is treated and cured it may lead to painful complications or lasting damage to the body.
Untreated LGV can also be passed on to your sexual partner(s).
Who should consider chlamydia/LGV testing?
In the UK, LGV is most commonly found in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
You may have a higher chance of getting LGV if you are living with HIV or taking PrEP, have had a bacterial STI in the last year or you have group sex.
LGV is rare in women and heterosexual men.
When should I get tested for chlamydia/LGV?
Get tested at a clinic as soon as possible if:
- You have any symptoms of LGV or
- A sexual partner has LGV or another STI
Do a free home STI test to test for chlamydia and other STIs if:
- You have no symptoms and just want a sexual health check-up
- You have mild symptoms that you do not think are LGV. Depending on your symptoms, we may sometimes advise you to get tested at a clinic instead
If you have no symptoms, consider waiting up to 2 weeks after your last sexual contact before testing. This helps your test to be as accurate as possible. Chlamydia and LGV may not show up on a test straight away. Testing too early may mean you test negative even if you do have early chlamydia or LGV. More about when to take a test.
How do I order a chlamydia/LGV test online?
You cannot order a specific home LGV test from SH.UK, but you can easily test for chlamydia.
If you have no symptoms, or mild symptoms, or you are worried you might have LGV, you can order a convenient home testing kit for chlamydia and other STIs.
If your test is negative for chlamydia, then you don’t have LGV.
If your test shows chlamydia, you may need further tests at a clinic to tell if it is LGV or not.
Order your free SH.UK STI testing kit online .
- Answer a few quick questions – your answers are completely private and confidential
- We work out which tests are best for you
- Your free personalised test kit arrives by post in the next few days – in a discreet plain package
- If your consultation or test results suggest you could have a higher chance of LGV we will help you find your nearest sexual health clinic
If you would rather get tested at a sexual health clinic, search for your nearest clinic:
How do I complete a home STI test?
Your STI testing kit comes with everything you need to take your own sample. This is called self-sampling .
You pack your samples into the freepost box and send them back to our lab for testing. You can post them in any Royal Mail postbox.
When will I get my STI test results?
You will usually get your results 2 or 3 days after your sample arrives at our lab.
You will be able to view the results online. They are completely secure and private.
Order your STI testing kit now to get your results as soon as possible.
If your test results suggest that you could have LGV we may advise you go to a sexual health clinic for tests and treatment. We can help you find your closest clinic.
Contacting partners
If you have LGV, you will usually be asked to tell any sexual partners from the last 4 weeks. If you do not have any symptoms, you will usually be asked to tell partners from the last 3 months or sometimes even longer.
Sexual partners are advised to get tested for free at a clinic. They may be offered treatment straight away.
Informing, testing and treating partners lowers the chances of
- Getting LGV again
- LGV being passed on to anyone else
If you feel unable to tell sexual partners, one of our Health Advisers can tell them without revealing your identity.
Preventing LGV in future
You can get LGV more than once. To avoid getting it again, do not have any type of sex, including fisting, until:
- both you and your current sexual partner(s) have finished treatment and
- both you and your current sexual partner’s symptoms have gone
You may be asked to go back to the clinic for a follow-up and may be offered a test to check the LGV has been cured.
Consider having another sexual health screen 3 months after being treated for LGV. This is because you have a higher chance of getting LGV or another STI over the next year.
To help protect your health in future:
- Use a new condom for every partner
- Use latex gloves for fisting. Use a new glove for every partner
- If it is not possible to use condoms or gloves, try and wash your genitals and anal area thoroughly between partners
- Cover anything used on more than one person’s anus (bum hole) or rectum (bum) – such as sex toys or fingers – with a new condom or latex glove for every person. If this is not possible, wash each item thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap after every use
- Do not share enema or rectal douching equipment
- Get tested for STIs at least once a year, whenever you have a new sexual partner and before you stop using condoms with a partner
- If you have a higher chance of getting LGV it can be a good idea to test every 3 months
People at higher risk of chlamydia or syphilis may also be offered a preventative treatment called DoxyPEP – ask your local clinic if this is available and suitable for you.
Order A Free Home Chlamydia Test Kit
Get your free STI testing kit delivered to your door. Take a self-sample and return it for free. Get your results online within a week.
Check to see if SH.UK offers NHS-funded home test kits in your area.
Find your local STI services
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