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Table of contents
- What Is Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Symptoms
- The Health Complications
- How Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Are Tested
- Related Content
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that share a number of similarities. They’re both very common STIs, their symptoms often resemble one another, and both can lead to long-term health complications if they aren’t treated. So what’s the difference between the two?
Below, we take a closer look at the symptoms of chlamydia vs. gonorrhea, how these infections can affect your health, and how you can check for both with a single at-home test.
What Is Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can affect men and women. While they share similar symptoms and are often discussed together, they are caused by different types of bacteria and can vary slightly in how they present and are treated.
| Feature | Chlamydia | Gonorrhea |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Chlamydia trachomatis | Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
| Prevalence | More common; over 1.7 million reported cases in the U.S. (2017) | Also common, but slightly less prevalent than chlamydia |
| Transmission | Spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner | |
| Symptoms | Often mild or absent; may include discharge or burning during urination | More likely to cause noticeable symptoms, including thicker discharge |
| If untreated | Can lead to serious complications, including reproductive health issues | |
Because these infections share many similarities—and often occur together—it’s common for healthcare providers to test for both at the same time.
Risk factors for getting chlamydia or gonorrhea are also similar and include:
- Having multiple sex partners – Increases the likelihood of exposure
- Unprotected sex – Barrier protection can significantly reduce risk
- Having another STI – Can increase susceptibility to additional infections
Since symptoms can overlap—or may not appear at all—testing is the most reliable way to know your status.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Symptoms
Chlamydia and gonorrhea share many of the same symptoms, which can make it difficult to tell them apart without testing. In many cases, symptoms may be mild—or not present at all—so screening is often the only way to know for sure.
| Symptom | Chlamydia | Gonorrhea |
|---|---|---|
| Urination | Burning sensation when urinating | Burning sensation when urinating |
| Discharge | Cloudy or clear (men); may be yellowish with odor (women) | Green, yellow, or white discharge |
| Rectal symptoms | Pain, discharge, or discomfort in the rectum | |
| Throat symptoms | Sore throat (from oral transmission) | |
| Symptoms in men | Testicular or scrotal pain and swelling | |
| Symptoms in women | Pain during sex, abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, or symptoms similar to a yeast infection | |
While there are subtle differences—particularly in the appearance of discharge—the overlap between symptoms makes it difficult to distinguish between chlamydia and gonorrhea based on symptoms alone.
If you're experiencing unusual discharge or other symptoms that may suggest an infection, it’s important to seek evaluation as soon as possible. You can also explore online sexual health care options and, if appropriate, connect with a licensed provider to discuss symptoms and next steps.
The Health Complications
If chlamydia and gonorrhea are not treated, they can lead to serious health complications. Many of these issues develop silently, which is why early detection and treatment are so important.
In Women
Untreated infections can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In many cases, PID may not cause noticeable symptoms at first, aside from mild pelvic or abdominal pain.
Over time, PID can result in long-term reproductive health issues, including:
- Infertility
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pregnancy-related complications
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also be passed to a newborn during childbirth, potentially causing infections such as eye infections or pneumonia.
In Men
While complications are less common, untreated infections can still lead to:
- Epididymitis – Inflammation that may cause testicular pain and swelling
- Prostatitis – Infection of the prostate that can cause painful urination, painful ejaculation, fever, or lower back pain
Chlamydia can also lead to non-gonococcal urethritis, an infection of the urethra that may cause pain, inflammation, and fever.
Complications in Both Men and Women
Both infections can lead to broader systemic issues, including:
- Reactive arthritis – A condition that can affect the joints, urethra, and eyes
- Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) – A serious complication of gonorrhea where the infection spreads through the bloodstream
DGI can cause symptoms such as joint pain, fever, rashes, and sores, and in rare cases, may affect the heart, brain, or spinal cord.
Because of the risk of long-term complications, it’s important to seek treatment promptly if you test positive or think you may have been exposed. In addition to at-home STI testing, you can also explore online care options and, if appropriate, connect with a licensed provider for treatment.
If you think you may have been exposed, consider speaking with a healthcare provider—and check your status with an at-home STD test for women or men.
How Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Are Tested
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are typically tested using the same methods, since they often occur together and have similar symptoms. Testing is the only reliable way to confirm a diagnosis.
| Testing Method | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Urine test | A urine sample is analyzed to detect the bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea |
| Swab test | A sample may be taken from the genitals, throat, or rectum depending on exposure |
| Physical exam | A healthcare provider may look for visible symptoms or signs of infection |
While these tests are often performed in a clinical setting, screening can also be done from home.
With the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you can check for these STIs from the comfort and privacy of home. The kit includes everything you need to collect your sample, and your physician-reviewed results are securely available online.
Why testing matters
- Confirms a diagnosis – Symptoms alone aren’t reliable
- Helps prevent complications – Early detection reduces long-term risks
- Protects partners – Enables timely treatment and reduces transmission
If you receive a positive result, prompt follow-up is important. You can also explore online sexual health treatment options and, if appropriate, connect with a licensed provider to discuss medication and next steps.
Related Content
What Is Disseminated Gonorrhea?
References
1. Chlamydia - CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm. Accessed March 26, 2020.
2. Gonorrhea - CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm. Accessed March 26, 2020.
3. New CDC Report: STDs Continue to Rise in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2019/2018-STD-surveillance-report-press-release.html. Accessed March 26, 2020.
4. Chlamydia - CDC Fact Sheet (Detailed). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm. Accessed March 26, 2020.
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm. Accessed March 26, 2020.
6. Berger RE, Alexander ER, Harnisch JP, et al. Etiology, manifestations and therapy of acute epididymitis: prospective study of 50 cases. J Urol. 1979;121(6):750–754. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)56978-5
7. Sutcliffe S, Nevin RL, Pakpahan R, et al. Prostate involvement during sexually transmitted infections as measured by prostate-specific antigen concentration. Br J Cancer. 2011;105(5):602–605. doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.271
8. Urethritis. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537282/. Accessed March 26, 2020.
9. Denison HJ, Curtis EM, Clynes MA, et al. The incidence of sexually acquired reactive arthritis: a systematic literature review. Clin Rheumatol. 2016;35(11):2639–2648. doi:10.1007/s10067-016-3364-0
10. Holmes KK, Counts GW, Beaty HN. Disseminated gonococcal infection. Ann Intern Med. 1971;74(6):979–993. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-74-6-979
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