Chlamydia: Symptoms in Women and Men, Testing, Treatment and Why It Often Goes Unnoticed

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide, and most people who have it don’t notice any symptoms. It’s easily diagnosed with a urine test or swab and cured with antibiotics. Left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, so regular testing matters.

Symptoms

Women

• Pain when urinating
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Bleeding after sex or between periods
• Pain in the lower tummy or during sex

Men

• Pain when urinating
• White, cloudy or watery discharge from the penis
• Pain or swelling in the testicles

Other sites

Infection in the rectum, throat or eyes is possible and often symptomless.

Testing

• Women: vaginal swab (often self-taken) or urine test
• Men: urine test
• Throat or rectal swabs depending on sexual practices
• Available at sexual health clinics, Primary care clinics, many pharmacies and with home testing kits in some countries
• Test 2 weeks or more after possible exposure for accurate results

Treatment

• Antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline for 7 days (azithromycin is an alternative in some situations, such as pregnancy)
• Avoid sex until you and your partner(s) have finished treatment and, for single-dose treatment, waited 7 days
• Partners should be tested and treated
• A retest may be advised, especially for under-25s or in pregnancy

Complications if untreated

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ectopic pregnancy and infertility
• Epididymo-orchitis in men
• Reactive arthritis
• Passing infection to a baby during birth (eye or chest infection)

Prevention

• Use condoms
• Get tested regularly, especially with new partners
• Talk openly with partners about testing

Frequently asked questions

Can chlamydia go away on its own?

It can persist for months or longer. Don’t wait; get tested and treated.

Can I get chlamydia again?

Yes. Treatment doesn’t give immunity, so use condoms and get partners treated.

Related reading: Talking about STI testing · Vaginal discharge guide · Ectopic pregnancy

Checked against NHS guidance on chlamydia. Updated 5 November 2026.