According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "chlamydia is known as a 'silent' disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms." Statistics are different according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stating that one in four men and 70 percent of women do not have symptoms. For patients who do have symptoms, they can appear one to three weeks after exposure to chlamydia. Symptoms of chlamydia are dependent on where the bacteria is growing. In addition, male and female patients exhibit different symptoms.
Female Symptoms
The chlamydia symptoms that a woman displays depend on where the infection is located. According to the CDC, when the bacteria infects the cervix and urethra, symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating and abnormal vaginal discharge. When the infection spreads from the woman's cervix to her fallopian tubes, the number of symptoms increases. These symptoms include bleeding between menstrual periods, pain during intercourse, fever, nausea, and lower back and abdominal pain. However, it is possible for female patients to not display any symptoms, even when the chlamydia has spread to the fallopian tubes. When left untreated, chlamydia can leave a woman infertile.
Male Symptoms
Men who have been infected with chlamydia display different symptoms than female symptoms. According to the CDC, male symptoms of chlamydia include penile discharge, burning sensation during urination, and burning and itching around the opening of his penis. In addition, some men may experience pain and swelling around the testicles; however, the CDC points out that this symptom is rare.
Rectal Symptoms
In addition to the aforementioned genital regions, chlamydia can occur in the anus when patients have anal sex with an infected partner. According to the CDC, men and women can suffer from rectal pain, discharge and bleeding from rectal chlamydia. Chlamydia can also develop in a person's throat if he has oral sex with an infected partner.
