Chlamydia (kluh-MID-e-uh) trachomatis (truh-KOH-muh-tis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. You might not know you have chlamydia because many people don't have signs or symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis.
Chlamydia trachomatis affects mostly young women, but it can occur in both men and women and in all age groups. It's not difficult to treat, but if left untreated it can lead to more-serious health problems.
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Symptoms
Early-stage Chlamydia trachomatis infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. Even when signs and symptoms occur, they're often mild, making them easy to overlook.
Signs and symptoms of Chlamydia trachomatis infection can include:
- Painful urination
- Vaginal discharge in women
- Discharge from the penis in men
- Painful sexual intercourse in women
- Bleeding between periods and after sex in women
- Testicular pain in men
Chlamydia trachomatis can also infect the rectum, either with no signs or symptoms or with rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. You also can get chlamydial eye infections (conjunctivitis) through contact with infected body fluids.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have a discharge from your vagina, penis or rectum, or if you have pain during urination. Also, see your doctor if you learn your sexual partner has chlamydia. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic even if you have no symptoms.
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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, skin discoloration around your eye, 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:
What are chlamydia symptoms in men?
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 contact your local Planned Parenthood health center.