Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
Quick answer
Chlamydia often causes no symptoms in men. When it does, the most common signs are discharge from the penis and a burning feeling when you pee. Less often there is pain and swelling in one or both testicles. Symptoms can start weeks or even months after infection, so a test is the only way to know.
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The more of these match, the more worth getting tested. This is not a diagnosis. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so a test can be worthwhile even if none of these apply.
Many men who have chlamydia don’t know it. That’s the first thing to understand about symptoms: when they appear they are easy to miss or to put down to something else, and often there are none at all.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia in men?
The CDC lists three signs for men:
- discharge from the penis
- a burning sensation when peeing
- pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common)
The NHS describes the discharge as white, cloudy or watery, and adds burning and itching around the testicles and penis. These symptoms can affect anyone with a penis.
Can a man have chlamydia and not know it?
Yes. The CDC says asymptomatic infection is common among both men and women, and MedlinePlus says people can pass the infection on even without symptoms. The NHS says most people who have chlamydia do not have any symptoms.
If symptoms do appear, the CDC says they may not show up until several weeks after sex with a partner who has chlamydia. The NHS puts the range at one week to several months. So a clear few days after a risky encounter doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
Can chlamydia affect the rectum, throat or eyes?
Yes. The CDC says chlamydia can infect the rectum, through receptive anal sex or spread from another infected site. These infections often cause no symptoms, but can cause rectal pain, discharge and bleeding.
The NHS says chlamydia can also affect other areas that come into contact with semen or vaginal fluid, causing a sore throat or eye redness, pain and discharge. Throat infections usually cause no symptoms, according to the CDC.
What does testicular pain mean?
Pain and swelling in a testicle can be a sign of chlamydia, but it can also have other causes, so it needs checking rather than guessing. MedlinePlus says chlamydia can sometimes infect the epididymis, the tube that carries sperm, causing pain, fever and, rarely, infertility. The NHS lists infection in the testicles among the complications of untreated chlamydia.
Get care promptly if you have testicular pain or swelling. Severe or sudden pain, or pain with a fever, should be seen the same day.
How are men tested for chlamydia?
The CDC says that for men, chlamydia is diagnosed by testing first-void urine or a urethral swab, using a NAAT (a very sensitive lab test). Self-collected swabs from the tip of the penis (a meatal swab) can work about as well for men who can’t give urine or prefer a swab.
Rectal and throat infections are diagnosed by testing at the site of exposure. If you’ve had anal or oral sex, check that the test you order includes those samples. The CDC says yearly rectal testing should be done for men who report sexual activity at the rectal site.
Is chlamydia curable in men?
Yes. The CDC says the right treatment can cure chlamydia, and the treatment is antibiotics prescribed by a clinician. Take all of the medicine you’re given and don’t share it. The CDC says medicine stops the infection but doesn’t undo permanent damage.
The CDC says not to have sex until you and your partners have finished treatment: wait 7 days after a single dose, or until you finish a 7-day course. Retest about three months after treatment.
What should I do about my partners?
If you test positive, your current and recent sexual partners need testing too, says the NHS, and a doctor or clinician can help you contact them. The CDC says partners from the 60 days before your diagnosis should be evaluated, and treated if needed. This also helps you avoid getting it again, because the CDC says most infections after treatment come from reinfection, when a partner wasn’t treated or you have a new infected partner.
It can feel awkward, but chlamydia is common and treatable, and telling partners protects them from complications as well.
Why test even if I feel fine?
Because the infection can cause problems and be passed on without any warning. The CDC says untreated chlamydia may also increase your chance of getting or giving HIV. A quick urine test, a prescription and a short course of antibiotics are far easier than dealing with complications later.
Get care today if
- Pain or swelling in one or both testicles, especially if it is severe, comes on suddenly or comes with a fever
- A fever with pain in the groin, penis or testicles
- Rectal pain, bleeding or discharge after a possible exposure
- Painful, red eyes with discharge after a possible exposure
- Your partner is pregnant, or has pelvic or lower belly pain, and you have been told you have chlamydia. They should be seen promptly
Call 911 for a medical emergency. Otherwise, urgent care or your doctor can see you today.
When to test
- As soon as you notice symptomsOrder an online STD test. For men, chlamydia is usually tested with a first-void urine sample or a swab from the tip of the penis. STIs can take up to 7 weeks to show on a test, so if you have no symptoms, test about 7 weeks after the exposure (NHS).
- If a partner tells you they have chlamydiaOrder a test online, and see a doctor or clinician for treatment, even without symptoms. The CDC says partners from the 60 days before diagnosis or symptoms should be evaluated, and the most recent partner too if it was longer ago.
- Once a year if you are a sexually active gay or bisexual manThe CDC recommends yearly chlamydia testing for sexually active gay and bisexual men. If you have anal sex, choose a test that includes a rectal swab. Others can check which test suits them.
- About 3 months after treatmentThe CDC says to test again about three months after treatment, because repeat infections are common.
Common questions
Can a man have chlamydia without symptoms?
Yes, it's common. The CDC says asymptomatic infection is common among both men and women. You can still pass chlamydia to a partner, which is why testing after a partner's diagnosis matters even if you feel fine.
How long do chlamydia symptoms take to show up?
The CDC says symptoms may not appear until several weeks after sex with a partner who has chlamydia. The NHS says they can start from one week to several months after infection.
Can chlamydia symptoms in men go away on their own?
The sources we reviewed don't say symptoms go away without treatment. Even if they ease, the infection may still be there. The CDC says antibiotics prescribed by a clinician cure chlamydia, so get tested rather than waiting.
Can chlamydia cause long-term problems in men?
Men rarely have health problems from chlamydia, says the CDC. It can infect the tubes attached to the testicles, causing pain and fever, and in rare cases infertility. MedlinePlus and the NHS also mention reactive arthritis.
Sources
This guide is general information written by a patient advocate using public health sources. It is not a diagnosis. Only a clinician who examines you, or a lab test, can tell you what you have. Read how we write and check our guides.