What are chlamydia symptoms?

People with chlamydia usually don’t have symptoms, so most people don’t know they have it. If you do notice signs of chlamydia, get tested. Here’s what to look for.

Want to get tested for Chlamydia

Chlamydia usually has no symptoms.

Chlamydia can be sneaky, because you probably won’t have any symptoms you can see or feel. Sometimes the signs of chlamydia are so mild that people don’t notice them, or they mistake the symptoms for something else. Most of the time, people don’t even realize they have chlamydia — that’s part of the reason it’s such a common infection (and why it’s so important to get tested).

Chlamydia can lead to serious infections and even infertility if you don’t treat it. But it’s usually easy to cure it with medicine if you catch it early. This is why regular STD testing is so important, no matter how healthy you feel.

Signs of chlamydia

If you do have chlamydia symptoms, they can take several weeks after you got the infection to show up. Symptoms of chlamydia can appear in both men and women, including:

  • pain or burning while peeing

  • pain during sex

  • lower belly pain

  • abnormal vaginal discharge (may be yellowish and have a strong smell)

  • bleeding between periods

  • pus or a watery/milky discharge from the penis

  • swollen or tender testicles

  • pain, discharge and/or bleeding around the anus

If chlamydia infects your eyes, you may have redness, itching, or discharge. Sometimes chlamydia infections in the throat cause soreness, but it’s rare.

If you or your partner has any of these symptoms, go to a nurse, doctor, or your local Planned Parenthood Health Center. It’s especially important to get checked out if you’re pregnant.

Remember, most people don’t show any signs at all when they have chlamydia. That’s why the only way to find out for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested.

More questions from patients:

Most people with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. Or if they do get symptoms, they show up weeks after having sex without a condom.

Even without symptoms, if you have chlamydia and you don’t get it treated it can damage your reproductive system, cause epididymitis, or lead to infertility. That’s why it’s so important to get tested for STDs if you’ve had sex without a condom.

Chlamydia symptoms in men can include:

  • Pus, or watery or milky discharge from the penis

  • Pain or burning when peeing

  • Pain and/or swelling in one or both testicles

You can also get chlamydia in your butt, usually from receiving anal sex. Symptoms aren’t common, but you might notice:

  • A painful or itchy anus (butthole)

  • Discharge or bleeding from your anus

  • Diarrhea

  • Swelling in or around your anus

 Chlamydia can also infect your eyes, causing redness, itching, or discharge.

Regardless of where on your body they show up, chlamydia symptoms in men are most likely to appear in the morning.

If you notice any of these symptoms, if your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or another STD, or if your partner has symptoms, check in with your doctor or nurse or local Planned Parenthood health center right away.

Most people with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. Or the symptoms show up weeks after having sex with someone who’s infected.

Even without symptoms, untreated chlamydia can damage your reproductive system, cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or lead to infertility. That’s why it’s so important to get tested for STDs, especially if you’ve had sex without a condom.

Chlamydia symptoms in women can include:

  • Abnormal, yellowish, or strong smelling vaginal discharge

  • Swelling inside your vagina/painful sex

  • Pain or burning when you pee

  • The urge to pee more than usual

If the infection spreads beyond your vagina and cervix, symptoms of chlamydia in women may include:

  • Pain in your belly or lower back

  • Nausea or a low-grade fever

  • Bleeding between your periods or after vaginal sex

You can also get chlamydia in your butt, usually from receiving anal sex. Symptoms aren’t common, but you might notice:

  • A painful or itchy anus (butthole)

  • Discharge or bleeding from your anus

  • Diarrhea

  • Swelling in or around your anus

Chlamydia can also infect your eyes, causing redness, itching, or discharge.

If you notice any of these symptoms, if your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia or another STD, or if your partner has symptoms, check in with your doctor or nurse or contact your local Planned Parenthood health center.

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