What are the signs and symptoms of chlamydia?

Because chlamydia is often symptomless, you cannot always tell that you have it. However, in cases where signs of chlamydia become noticeable, symptoms appear 1 to 3 weeks following infection and can vary from person to person.

The most common symptoms of chlamydia are urogenital (affecting the genitals, reproductive system, and urinary tract). These include:

• unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain or burning when urinating
• pain, discomfort, or swelling in the genitals or genital region

You may also experience some discomfort and discharge from your anus, usually as a result of infection from anal sex.

Sometimes, you can get non-genital chlamydia symptoms in other areas, like your eyes or mouth, although this is less common.

While some symptoms can be similar in both males and females, here is a more detailed breakdown of what to look out for.

Chlamydia symptoms in men

Typical symptoms of chlamydia in men include:

• white/cloudy, gooey or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• skin irritation at the tip of the penis
• pain while urinating
• pain around the testicles

These symptoms could be symptoms of a variety of health conditions, leading some men to believe they’re unrelated to a chlamydia infection. Some symptoms may appear and disappear quickly, but the infection can still be present even if the symptoms subside. It’s important to take a sexual health test if you get any of these symptoms.

➤ For further information on chlamydia symptoms and how they manifest, take a look at our detailed guide on chlamydia symptoms in men.

Chlamydia symptoms in women

Chlamydia symptoms in women include:

• itching or burning in or around the vagina
• abnormal vaginal discharge (secretion) that may have an unusual colour or smell
• bleeding between periods and abnormally painful or heavy periods
• pain and bleeding during sex
• lower abdominal pain

These symptoms can also be signs of health conditions such as hormonal changes, yeast infections, and endometriosis, so it can be difficult to diagnose chlamydia based on symptoms alone. If you’re experiencing a sudden onset of any of these symptoms and have recently had unprotected sex, it’s important to get tested.

➤ For more information, see our detailed guide on chlamydia symptoms in women.

The symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and chlamydia can be similar, especially in women, but there are differences to look out for.

If you’re unsure about your symptoms, speak to your doctor, who can advise on an appropriate test or course of treatment.

Though much less common, both men and women can get non-genital chlamydia infections in the eyes and mouth through unprotected sexual activity.

Oral (mouth and throat) chlamydia symptoms

Sometimes, you can contract chlamydia in the mouth and throat if you have unprotected oral sex. When you get oral chlamydia symptoms, they’re usually mild and include:

• a slight cough
• sore throat
• swollen glands

Ocular (eye) chlamydia symptoms

Chlamydia symptoms in the eye can occur if your eyes come into contact with any infected vaginal fluid or semen. You may get symptoms like:

• eye pain
• redness
• swollen eyelids
• conjunctivitis, an eye infection which causes discharge from the eyes

Can chlamydia cause flu-like symptoms?

Chlamydia can occasionally present with flu-like symptoms (though not often), including fever, nausea, headaches, and fatigue, particularly during a first bout of infection. If you’ve contracted chlamydia through oral sex, you may also experience a sore throat.

Can you get a rash from chlamydia?

Sometimes you may develop a rash as a symptom of chlamydia, which usually appears as bumps on the inner thigh. There is one particular strain of chlamydia bacteria called Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), which can cause this type of rash. Other symptoms of this strain include:

• small, often unnoticed blisters that heal quickly
• painful, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, pelvis, or rectum
• inflammation of the anorectal area
• abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, or pain while passing stools

How long it takes for chlamydia to go away completely can differ from person to person. Some people may experience chlamydia symptoms until they complete a full course of treatment. For others, symptoms can go away on their own in a few weeks or months, but this does not mean the infection has cleared.

If left untreated, chlamydia can stay in the body for years and lead to long-lasting and serious health problems. That’s why it’s still crucial to get tested and treated – even if your symptoms subside.

Without treatment, you may continue to experience the common symptoms of chlamydia, including pain while urinating and discharge of the penis, anus, or vagina. However, untreated chlamydia can also lead to long-term health complications that can be painful and impact your quality of life.

In women, these include:

• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• reactive arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome)
• ectopic pregnancy
• miscarriage or premature birth (if pregnant)
• infertility

In men, these include:

• inflammation of the epididymis (a tube-like shape behind the testicle)
• impacted sperm mobility
• low sperm count
• reactive arthritis
• infertility

If you suspect you have any of these complications, speak to a doctor straight away. An ectopic pregnancy can be a serious medical emergency, so if you suspect this you should call 999 or go to A&E straight away.

Can chlamydia cause infertility?

Yes, long-term complications of a chlamydia infection can sometimes lead to fertility issues in both men and women.

In women, chlamydia-related PID can cause blockages and scarring in the fallopian tubes, making it more difficult for an egg to reach the uterus. Similarly, you’re more at risk of an ectopic pregnancy as a result of untreated chlamydia, which can be serious and may even lead to fallopian tube removal, which further impacts your chance at conceiving.

In men, untreated chlamydia can sometimes cause epididymitis – inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, leading to issues with sperm count and quality.

These complications may seem scary, but if caught early enough, you can get the treatment you need and take the steps to take control of your health.

“Since chlamydia may not always cause symptoms before any complications occur, it’s especially important to get tested. We recommend organising a sexual health screening once per year, or if you’ve had unprotected sex with a new partner. STIs, including chlamydia, are incredibly common, and treatment is most effective when any infections are diagnosed early on. If you have any questions about symptoms or testing, we encourage you to get in touch with your GP or online doctor.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor.

Whether you have symptoms or have recently had unprotected sex with a new partner, it’s important to get tested if you think you may have contracted chlamydia. Ideally, you should get tested as soon as possible to avoid spreading the infection, however, you’ll need to wait 2 weeks after sexual contact to get an accurate result. This is because it can take 2 weeks for chlamydia to show on an STI screening test. If you test earlier than this, there’s a chance it could be a false positive.

You can book a sexual health screening at your GP or local sexual health (GUM) clinic. If you feel embarrassed, or if you’d rather not discuss STIs with your doctor, you can order a chlamydia test kit from our website. You can easily collect sample swabs yourself from the comfort and discretion of your own home, and you’ll get the results through your private patient account.

At ZAVA, we offer multiple different sexual health testing kits, so whether you want to test solely for chlamydia or get a full sexual health check, we can help.

The recommended treatment for most people is usually a 7-day course of antibiotics (doxycycline), after which there’s a 95% chance that the infection will be cleared. Always take the full course of medication as instructed by your doctor to ensure that the infection has left your body and to lower your risk of re-infection.

If you’ve received a chlamydia diagnosis, you can order your treatment from ZAVA’s online service following a simple consultation. Once ordered, your treatment will be sent to your door in discreet, unmarked packaging.

➤ For more information on chlamydia treatment, view our doxycycline for chlamydia page.

Doxycycline is over 95% effective at clearing up chlamydia symptoms if taken correctly and as instructed. If your symptoms do not go away or come back after treatment, there’s a chance that the medication has not worked properly, and you should get in touch with your doctor.

The only way to know if chlamydia is gone for good is to take another test, and some people feel more comfortable doing this. If you want to retest after treatment, it’s recommended to wait 3 months after you’ve taken your antibiotics, as tests can come back positive if you test too soon after (even if the infection has been treated).

Doxycycline treatment does not prevent re-infection however, so it’s important to practice safe sex and test yourself regularly if you have unprotected sex.