What are the early signs of chlamydia?

By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | Sept. 29, 2021, 12:59 p.m.

Category: Ask the Experts, Sexually Transmitted Infections

Most of the time chlamydia doesn’t have any symptoms at first, so there probably won’t be any early signs. And sometimes the symptoms are so mild that people don’t notice them or mistake them for something else.

The only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested — whether or not you have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, it’s important to get tested right away. They can take several weeks after you get the infection to show up. Possible symptoms include:

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 you or your partner has any of these symptoms, go to a nurse, doctor, or your local Planned Parenthood health center for testing and treatment. In general, it’s a good idea to get tested for STDs regularly, including chlamydia. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you should get tested.

Tags: chlamydia, STD symptoms