Chlamydia symptoms in men vs women: what’s the difference?

Partly. In women, Chlamydia usually infects the cervix, so symptoms can include unusual discharge, bleeding and pain in the lower tummy. In men, it usually infects the urethra, the tube that carries pee, so symptoms can include discharge from the penis and pain in the testicles. Both can get a burning feeling when they pee, and both can get infections in the bottom, throat or eyes.

Most people get no symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear, they can start from 1 week to several months after infection.

The NHS lists these symptoms, which can affect anyone with a vagina:

• vaginal discharge that isn’t normal for you
• bleeding after sex or between periods
• a burning feeling when you pee
• pain in your lower tummy

UK guidelines add deep pain during sex. Pain in your lower tummy or pelvis, pain during sex and unusual bleeding can also be signs that the infection has spread to the womb and fallopian tubes, which needs treating quickly.

The NHS lists these symptoms, which can affect anyone with a penis:

• white, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• burning and itching around the testicles and penis
• pain and swelling in the testicles
• a burning feeling when you pee

UK guidelines say about half of men with Chlamydia in the penis get symptoms, usually 1 to 3 weeks after infection.

Chlamydia can infect other parts of the body that come into contact with semen or vaginal fluid. The NHS says this can cause:

• pain, bleeding and discharge from your bottom
• a sore throat
• eye redness, pain and discharge

UK guidelines say Chlamydia in the bottom or throat usually causes no symptoms. Read more in “Can you get Chlamydia in your eyes?”

Complications in women

UK guidelines say the complications of untreated Chlamydia mainly affect women and other people with a womb and ovaries. The infection can spread to the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). UK estimates suggest 10% to 17% of women with untreated Chlamydia develop PID. PID can scar the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, Chlamydia can pass to your baby during birth and cause an eye or lung infection, which can be treated with antibiotics.

Complications in men

Complications in men are much rarer. Chlamydia can spread to the testicles and the tube behind them, causing pain and swelling (epididymitis). This affects about 2% of men with untreated Chlamydia who have no symptoms. UK guidelines say the link between this kind of infection and fertility is poorly understood.

Complications for anyone

Chlamydia can trigger reactive arthritis, which causes painful, swollen joints and sometimes sore eyes. It’s far more common in men, and usually gets better within 6 months. Read more in “Can Chlamydia make you infertile?”

Call 999 or get urgent medical care straight away if you have:

• sudden, severe pain in a testicle, or testicle pain with feeling sick or tummy pain
• testicle pain that has lasted more than an hour or continues when you’re resting
• severe pain in your lower tummy or pelvis, or pain that’s getting worse or hurts when you move
• a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your lower tummy
• pelvic pain with heavy bleeding from your vagina
• pelvic pain with a very high temperature, feeling or being sick, or feeling dizzy or faint

Sudden testicle pain can be caused by the testicle twisting, which needs treating in hospital quickly. Severe tummy or pelvic pain can be a sign of serious PID or an ectopic pregnancy.

You can test for Chlamydia from 2 weeks after sex. The test looks for the genetic material of the bacteria in a urine sample or a swab. If you’ve had anal or oral sex, a swab from your bottom or throat can check those areas too.

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. UK guidelines recommend doxycycline twice a day for 7 days, or a 3-day course of azithromycin if you can’t take doxycycline, for example in pregnancy. Avoid sex until you’ve finished treatment (or for 7 days after azithromycin) and any symptoms have gone, and ask your recent partners to get tested. Read more in “Why is Chlamydia known as a silent STI?”

Better2Know offers:

• Chlamydia home test: a urine test you take at home, from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days.
• Peace of Mind: tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days. You can book it at one of our clinics or order a home test kit.
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (Rectal Swab) and Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (Throat Swab): if you’ve had anal or oral sex, from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days.
• Full Screen: tests for 7 infections, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis, from 28 days after sex, with results in 3 days (5 days for the home test).

If you test before 45 days, a negative HIV result needs a repeat test. A Syphilis test in the first 3 months after sex can miss the infection, so you may need a repeat test. Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Can men pass on Chlamydia without symptoms?

Yes. About half of men with Chlamydia have no symptoms, and anyone with Chlamydia can pass it on, whether or not they have symptoms.

Is Chlamydia more serious for women?

Usually, yes. Most serious complications, such as PID, infertility and ectopic pregnancy, affect women and other people with a womb. That’s why testing matters even when you feel well.

Can Chlamydia symptoms come and go?

Symptoms can settle while the infection is still there, so get tested even if they’ve gone. Read more in “Do Chlamydia symptoms come and go?”

Chlamydia can cause different symptoms in men and women, but most people have none. Complications are more serious for women, while men are more likely to get painful testicles or reactive arthritis. A simple test is the only way to know, and antibiotics clear the infection.

Order a Chlamydia home test or book a test at a clinic near you. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article originally appeared on 30 July 2012 and was last updated on 1 October 2026.

This article is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

Sources

1. NHS, Chlamydia, reviewed 24 October 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/
2. NHS, Pelvic inflammatory disease, reviewed 17 December 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid/
3. NHS, Epididymitis, reviewed 6 August 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epididymitis/
4. NHS, Testicle pain, reviewed 26 June 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicle-pain/
5. NHS, Reactive arthritis, reviewed 16 December 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reactive-arthritis/
6. Brook, Chlamydia, accessed 1 October 2026. https://www.brook.org.uk/your-life/chlamydia/
7. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, UK national guideline for the management of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, 2026. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/national_guideline_for_the_management_of_infection_chlamydia_trachomatis_2026.pdf
8. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, UK national guideline for the management of epididymo-orchitis, 2020. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/eo2020.pdf
9. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, National guideline on the management of sexually acquired reactive arthritis, 2021. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/sara2021.pdf
10. UK Health Security Agency, NCSP: programme overview, updated 24 June 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ncsp-programme-overview/ncsp-programme-overview
11. UK Health Security Agency, Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England: 2025 report, 2 June 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-annual-data-tables/sexually-transmitted-infections-and-screening-for-chlamydia-in-england-2025-report
12. World Health Organization, Chlamydia, 21 November 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chlamydia