Chlamydia: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Up to 90% of women and men with chlamydia do not have symptoms.¹

The time between exposure to chlamydia and the start of symptoms—the incubation period—may range from days to months. If symptoms appear, it is usually 1 to 3 weeks after sexual contact with an infected person.

Symptoms in women include:

• Painful urination.
• Cloudy urine.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding with intercourse or between periods.
• Genital itching.
• Irregular menstrual bleeding.
• Lower abdominal pain.
• Fever and general tiredness.
• Swollen and painful glands at the opening of the vagina (Bartholin glands).
• Conjunctivitis.

Symptoms in men include:

• Painful urination or itching sensation with urination (often the first symptom).
• Cloudy urine.
• Watery or slimy discharge from the penis.
• Crusting on the tip of the penis.
• Tender anus or scrotum.
• Conjunctivitis.

Last updated:	January 18, 2007
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC