Symptoms of Chlamydia

Symptoms of chlamydia can affect both men and women; however, chlamydia is often known as a "silent" disease because most people who are infected show no symptoms. Common symptoms in women may include abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. Men with symptoms of chlamydia might have discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating.

 

Symptoms of Chlamydia: An Overview

Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three-quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms.
 

Symptoms of Chlamydia in Women

In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms of chlamydia might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms. Others may have:
 
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Low back pain
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Bleeding between menstrual periods.
     
Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.
 

Symptoms of Chlamydia in Men

Men with symptoms of chlamydia might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon.
 
Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.
 
(Symptoms of Chlamydia Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD