About half of men with chlamydia never develop noticeable symptoms, which is one reason the infection spreads so easily. When symptoms do appear, they typically show up several weeks after exposure and most commonly involve discharge from the penis, burning during urination, or testicular pain. Knowing what to look for matters because untreated chlamydia can cause complications that affect fertility.
Many Men Have No Symptoms at All
Roughly 50 percent of men infected with chlamydia are completely asymptomatic. They feel fine, notice nothing unusual, and can unknowingly pass the infection to sexual partners for months. This is why routine screening is recommended for sexually active men, particularly those with new or multiple partners, rather than waiting for symptoms to prompt a test.
When symptoms do develop, they usually appear several weeks after sexual contact with an infected partner. Some men notice signs within one to three weeks, while others may not develop symptoms for much longer. The delay between exposure and symptoms means you can’t rely on timing alone to rule chlamydia out.
Penile Discharge
The most recognizable symptom is an unusual discharge from the penis. It typically looks thick and cloudy, though it can also appear yellowish or brown. The discharge tends to have a foul smell and may ooze slowly from the opening of the penis, collecting around the tip. It’s different from the clear pre-ejaculatory fluid that’s normal during arousal. Some men notice it most in the morning or see stains on their underwear throughout the day.
Burning During Urination
A burning or stinging sensation when you urinate is another hallmark symptom. It can range from mild irritation to sharp pain that makes urinating genuinely uncomfortable. Some men also feel a general sense of difficulty urinating, as if the flow is slower or more strained than usual. This burning can come and go early on, which sometimes leads men to dismiss it as temporary irritation. If it persists for more than a day or two, it’s worth getting tested.
Testicular Pain and Swelling
When chlamydia goes untreated, the infection can travel from the urethra to the epididymis, the coiled tube behind each testicle where sperm matures. This causes a condition called epididymitis, which brings pain, swelling, and tenderness in one testicle (rarely both at the same time). The swelling and inflammation typically start at the lower part of the epididymis and can spread to the rest of the structure and the testicle itself. The spermatic cord, which runs above the testicle, often becomes tender and swollen as well.
Epididymitis from chlamydia is considered an acute condition, meaning it develops relatively quickly and lasts less than six weeks with treatment. Left untreated, repeated episodes can cause scarring that affects fertility. Any new testicular pain or swelling warrants prompt medical attention, even if other chlamydia symptoms aren’t present.
Rectal Symptoms
Men who have receptive anal sex can develop a rectal chlamydia infection, which produces a distinct set of symptoms. Rectal chlamydia causes inflammation of the lining of the rectum, leading to anorectal pain, a frequent urge to have a bowel movement even when the rectum is empty, and rectal discharge. In more severe cases, particularly with aggressive strains of the bacteria, symptoms can include bleeding, bloody discharge, and ulcers around or inside the rectum.
Rectal chlamydia can also be completely asymptomatic, so screening with a rectal swab is important for men who have anal sex, even without symptoms.
Throat Infections
Chlamydia can infect the throat through oral sex, though this is less common than genital or rectal infection. Most oral chlamydia infections cause no symptoms at all. When they do, symptoms are mild and easy to confuse with a regular sore throat. Because it’s so difficult to distinguish from other causes, throat chlamydia is usually only caught through targeted testing.
How Testing Works
The standard test for chlamydia is a nucleic acid amplification test, which detects the genetic material of the bacteria. You either provide a urine sample or a healthcare provider takes a swab from the urethra, rectum, or throat, depending on where the infection might be. Swab tests are slightly more accurate than urine tests: about 94 percent versus 87 percent. If you have reason to believe you were exposed through anal or oral sex, make sure to request testing at those specific sites, since a urine test will only detect a urethral infection.
Results typically come back within a few days. Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics, and treatment is straightforward. Sexual partners need to be tested and treated as well to prevent reinfection.