This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Many people look up the symptoms of an STD in a female body because something feels different. Others look because a partner mentioned a test, or because it has been a while since their last one. All of those are good reasons to read on.

This guide explains what the CDC says about STD symptoms in women, why symptoms are an unreliable guide, and which signs are worth a visit to a clinician. It also covers how pelvic inflammatory disease connects to fertility, and where to get an STD test for women in Philadelphia at free or low cost.

Nothing here can tell you whether you have an infection. Only a test and a clinician can do that. What this guide can do is help you decide what to ask for and where to go.

Key takeaways

The CDC says many STIs cause no symptoms, so the absence of symptoms does not tell you whether a test would find something.
Unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods, sores or bumps, and itching are all reasons to see a clinician.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable but are treatable and manageable.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility. Testing and treatment lower that chance.
The City of Philadelphia's STI clinic at Health Center 1 offers free walk-in testing and treatment for anyone over 13.

Why symptoms are not a reliable guide
Signs that are worth getting checked
What each common infection can look like
Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility
When to see a clinician the same day
An STD test for women: what to expect and how often
Where to get tested in Philadelphia
Common questions

Why symptoms are not a reliable guide

The most important fact in this guide is also the least intuitive. According to the CDC, many sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all, or symptoms so mild they are easy to miss or to blame on something else.

This is especially true of chlamydia and gonorrhea in women. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note that most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Gonorrhea in women can also be silent, or its signs can look like a yeast infection or bladder infection.

That has two practical effects.

A person can have an infection and feel completely well.
A person can feel symptoms and have something else entirely, such as a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or a urinary tract infection.

For these reasons, symptoms alone cannot settle the question. A test can. The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) both recommend screening based on age and circumstances, not on whether you feel symptoms. We cover that in the testing section below.

How common are these infections in Pennsylvania? CDC STI Surveillance data for 2023 report a chlamydia rate of 421.2 per 100,000 people in Pennsylvania, with 54,600 cases. The gonorrhea rate was 144.7 per 100,000 (18,758 cases). The primary and secondary syphilis rate was 9.1 per 100,000 (1,179 cases). These are statewide figures. The health department numbers specific to Philadelphia were not available for this guide, so check the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for the city's own data.

The point of these numbers is not to alarm anyone. It is that STIs are common, routine to test for, and treatable.

Signs that are worth getting checked

If you are looking up STD symptoms in women, these are the changes the CDC describes as worth bringing to a clinician. Having one of them does not confirm infection. Many have other causes. A clinician can sort out which.

Changes in vaginal discharge

Discharge is normal and changes through the menstrual cycle. A change that is new for you can be worth mentioning. Examples include a different color, a stronger smell, a different texture, or a noticeably larger amount.

The CDC lists abnormal discharge as a possible sign of chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. It can also be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, which are not classed as STIs but also respond to treatment.

Burning or pain when you urinate

This is a classic sign of a urinary tract infection. It can also happen with chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and genital herpes. Because the causes overlap, it helps to get a urine test rather than guess.

Pelvic or lower belly pain

A dull ache, cramping or ongoing pain in the lower belly can have many causes. In the context of STIs, it can be a sign that an infection has moved into the reproductive organs. The next section explains this.

Pain during sex

Pain during vaginal sex can come from infection, dryness, muscle tension, hormone changes and other things. It is a symptom the CDC lists with pelvic inflammatory disease, so it deserves attention if it is new or does not go away.

Bleeding between periods or after sex

Spotting outside your normal cycle, or bleeding after sex, can be linked to infections of the cervix such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It also has non-infectious causes. Either way, it is worth raising with a clinician.

Sores, bumps, blisters or rashes

Genital herpes can cause blisters or painful sores. Syphilis can cause a sore that is often painless, which is part of why it is easy to overlook. Genital warts from certain types of HPV appear as small bumps. A rash on the body, including the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, can occur in the secondary stage of syphilis, according to the CDC.

Itching or irritation

Itching in or around the vagina can come from trichomoniasis, but it is more often a yeast infection or a reaction to soap or fabric. A clinician can tell the difference with a quick exam or test.

Symptoms outside the genitals

Infections can also affect the throat and rectum, depending on the kinds of sex a person has. These sites often produce no symptoms. If you have had oral or anal sex, ask a clinician whether testing at those sites makes sense for you.

What each common infection can look like

This section follows the CDC's descriptions. Remember that a sign on this list is a reason to test, not a diagnosis.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria and is among the most commonly reported STIs. The CDC says most women have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include unusual discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods. It is curable with treatment prescribed by a clinician.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is also bacterial. Many women have no symptoms. Others notice more discharge, burning with urination, or bleeding between periods. It is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC has noted that treatment recommendations change over time as the bacteria develop resistance, so the clinician will choose what is currently advised.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The CDC says many people have no symptoms. When present, they can include itching, burning, and a change in discharge. It is curable with treatment from a clinician.

Syphilis

Syphilis moves through stages. The first stage often involves one or more sores, which can be painless and can be hidden inside the vagina or on the cervix. A later stage can bring a skin rash and other body-wide symptoms. Symptoms can then disappear for years while the infection remains. It is curable with treatment from a clinician, and earlier treatment prevents more serious problems.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus. Many people have no symptoms or very mild ones. Some have repeated outbreaks of blisters or sores, along with tingling, itching or pain. Herpes is not curable, but it is treatable. A clinician can prescribe medicine that reduces outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing it on.

HPV

Human papillomavirus is very common, and the CDC says most infections clear on their own without symptoms. Some types cause genital warts. Others can cause cell changes on the cervix that are found through cervical cancer screening, not through symptoms. There is no routine HPV test for a person to detect infection in the general sense. Cervical screening and the HPV vaccine are the main tools, so ask a clinician what screening schedule fits your age and history. The Health Center 1 STI clinic lists the HPV vaccine among its services.

HIV

Some people have a flu-like illness within a few weeks of HIV infection, but many have no symptoms for years. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC says that people who take HIV medicine as prescribed and reach an undetectable viral load can stay healthy and will not pass HIV to a sex partner. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once, and more often if there is ongoing risk.

On timing, the CDC says different HIV tests can detect infection at different times after exposure. It lists about 18 to 45 days for a lab antigen/antibody test on a blood draw, about 18 to 90 days for a rapid antigen/antibody test on a finger stick, and about 23 to 90 days for antibody-only tests. If you think you were recently exposed, tell the clinician when it happened so they can advise on the right test and timing. For other infections, ask the clinician how soon after an exposure a test is useful.

Hepatitis B and C

These viral infections can affect the liver and often cause no symptoms early on. They are included in some sexual health visits. Among the Philadelphia sites listed below, several offer hepatitis C testing.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs, which include the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The CDC says PID often happens when untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea moves up from the cervix. Other organisms can cause it too.

PID can cause lower belly pain, pain during sex, fever, unusual discharge, or bleeding between periods. It can also cause few or no symptoms, which is why the CDC treatment guidelines tell clinicians to have a low threshold for diagnosing and treating it.

The link to fertility is real but needs careful wording. The CDC says PID can scar the fallopian tubes. That scarring can raise the chance of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), chronic pelvic pain, and difficulty getting pregnant. Not everyone who has PID will have these problems, and not everyone with chlamydia or gonorrhea develops PID.

The CDC also says that the sooner PID is treated, the lower the chance of long-term problems. That is a good reason to get tested and to seek care for pelvic pain without waiting.

A clinician treats PID with prescribed antibiotics. A clinician will also usually advise that recent sex partners be tested and treated, so the infection does not pass back and forth.

When to see a clinician the same day

Most STI concerns can be handled with a routine visit in the next few days. Some signs call for faster attention. Seek care the same day, or go to an emergency department if you cannot reach a clinic, if you have:

Severe pain in the lower belly or pelvis, especially if it came on suddenly.
Pelvic pain together with fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.
Heavy vaginal bleeding, or bleeding with pain or dizziness, particularly if you could be pregnant.
Pain in the pelvis or shoulder, fainting or lightheadedness during a possible pregnancy. The CDC lists ectopic pregnancy as a medical emergency.
Fever and a new painful rash or sores.
A possible HIV exposure within the last few days. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medicine a clinician can prescribe after a possible exposure, and it works best when started as soon as possible. The CDC says it must be started within 72 hours. Health Center 1, Mazzoni Center, Bebashi and Courage Medicine all list PEP among their services, so call ahead.

If you are pregnant and think you may have an infection, tell your prenatal care provider promptly. Some STIs can affect a pregnancy, and treatment is available.

An STD test for women: what to expect and how often

How testing is done

Testing for most common STIs is simpler than many people expect. Depending on the infection, a clinician may use a urine sample, a swab of the vagina (which you can often collect yourself), a swab of the throat or rectum if relevant, or a blood draw. A pelvic exam is not always needed for testing. If you have symptoms such as pelvic pain, the clinician may recommend one.

You can tell the clinician what kinds of sex you have had and with whom. Clinics serve people of every gender and orientation, and that information helps them pick the right tests.

Who is recommended to be screened

Screening means testing people who have no symptoms. These recommendations come from the CDC and USPSTF.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and USPSTF recommend screening for sexually active women aged 24 and younger, and for older women who have risk factors, such as a new partner or more than one partner.
HIV: The CDC recommends testing at least once for everyone aged 13 to 64. USPSTF recommends screening for people aged 15 to 65.
Syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B in pregnancy: The CDC recommends testing early in pregnancy. USPSTF also recommends syphilis screening for pregnant people. Pennsylvania's regulation at 28 Pa. Code 27.89 requires a physician attending a pregnant woman to tell her a blood sample will be taken for a syphilis test at the first exam or within 15 days, unless she objects. Ask your prenatal provider about any further testing later in pregnancy.
Hepatitis C: The CDC recommends testing for all adults at least once, and during each pregnancy.
Cervical cancer screening: This is separate from STI testing and follows its own schedule. Ask a clinician what applies to you.

A test for one infection does not automatically cover the others. When you go in, ask which infections are being tested for and which are not.

Treatment and partners

If a test is positive, a clinician prescribes treatment. For bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis, treatment cures the infection. The clinician will tell you how long to avoid sex and whether to return for a follow-up test.

Partners matter. The Philadelphia STD Control Program offers partner services, which include referral, testing and treatment for the sex partners of people with an STI. In Pennsylvania, Act 147 of 2022 (the Expedited Partner Therapy Act) allows a practitioner to prescribe or furnish antibiotics for certain STIs without first examining the partner, following CDC guidance, according to the CDC's legal status page for Pennsylvania. Which infections it covers in Philadelphia practice is something to ask the clinic.

Doxy-PEP

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex to lower the chance of certain bacterial STIs. The CDC recommended it for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, who have had a bacterial STI in the past year. The CDC said there was not enough evidence to make a recommendation for cisgender women. Whether it is offered in Philadelphia was not something this guide could confirm, so ask a clinician if you want to know whether it applies to you.

Privacy and age

According to the Guttmacher Institute, Pennsylvania lets minors consent to STI testing and treatment, with no age limit listed and no parental-notification provision shown. The Pennsylvania Minors' Consent Act covers this. The Philadelphia STI clinic at Health Center 1 serves anyone over 13. Each clinic sets its own rules, so ask about confidentiality when you call.

Pennsylvania rules (28 Pa. Code 27.21a) require health care practitioners and facilities to report HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis to the health department within 5 work days of identifying them. This is routine public-health reporting. If you have questions about how your information is handled, ask the clinic.

Where to get tested in Philadelphia

You do not need to wait for symptoms. The options below come from the City of Philadelphia and the CDC's GetTested listings. Hours and services can change, so call before you go. For a longer list, see our guide to where to get STD testing in Philadelphia.

STI clinic at Health Center 1 (free, walk-in)

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health runs this clinic at 1930 S. Broad St., Fl. 2, Philadelphia, PA 19145. The phone numbers are (215) 685-6570 and (215) 685-6575.

Cost: Free.
Who can go: Anyone over 13 can get testing and treatment.
How it works: Walk-in only, first come, first served.
Hours listed by the City: Monday and Wednesday 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the first Wednesday of each month it opens at 1 p.m. On very busy days the clinic may close earlier.
Services: STD testing and treatment, HIV testing, PrEP, PEP and HPV vaccine. It also offers hepatitis A and B and mpox vaccines.

The City describes this site as urgent care for STD testing and treatment only. The City page also noted that a Health Center 5 satellite clinic was temporarily unavailable as of September 12, 2025, so check before going anywhere other than Health Center 1.

Mazzoni Center

The City lists Mazzoni Center as a community testing site at 1201 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, phone (215) 985-9206. The listed services are HIV rapid and lab testing, STI and hepatitis C testing, PrEP and PEP. Hours listed are Monday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City page does not state a cost. A separate CDC GetTested listing for Mazzoni Center at 1348 Bainbridge St., phone (215) 563-0652, shows no appointment required and lists free HIV and STI tests. Ask which location and price apply to you.

Philadelphia FIGHT: Jonathan Lax Treatment Center

This Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers site is at 1233 Locust St., 4th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19107, phone (215) 790-1788. The CDC GetTested listing says an appointment is required and lists a free HIV test and free STI test. It says insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. Hours are not published there, so call.

Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania

Two Philadelphia health centers are listed on CDC GetTested. Both say an appointment is required and list insurance, Medicaid and sliding-scale fees.

Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center: 1144 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, phone (215) 351-5560. Listed tests include HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
Castor Avenue Health Center: 8210 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152, phone (215) 745-5966. Listed tests include HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

Hours are not published on the CDC page. Call for current times and prices.

Bebashi: Transition to Hope

The City lists Bebashi as a community testing site, with HIV rapid and lab testing, STI and hepatitis C testing, PrEP and PEP. Bebashi West is at 4101 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104. Bebashi North is at 1237 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 (the City page lists 1235 Spring Garden St.). Phone: (215) 769-3561. Bebashi's own page lists health care screening hours of Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at West, and Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at North. Bebashi's page does not state cost or walk-in policy, so call first.

Courage Medicine

Courage Medicine is listed by the City for STI, hepatitis C and HIV testing and PrEP. The Island Avenue location is at 3751 Island Ave., Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19153, phone 267-217-3217. The City page lists Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and walk-in service there. The organization's site also lists locations at 7198 Castor Ave. #200 and 3045 Kensington Ave., and mobile unit hours vary. Courage's own page does not state hours or cost, so confirm by phone.

Free home test kits and PrEP programs

Philadelphia residents can order free HIV or STI test kits, condoms and lube online through Philly, Keep On Loving, a program of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The page does not list eligibility rules. A City release from June 26, 2024 describes free at-home HIV test kits mailed discreetly to Philadelphia residents.

The same program offers TelePrEP, which is online and phone access to HIV prevention medicine. The page did not state cost or eligibility. Its helpline is 215-985-2437. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports that federal rules require most insurers to cover HIV PrEP medication with no out-of-pocket cost for insured people.

You can also search by ZIP code at gettested.cdc.gov, the CDC's tool for finding testing sites.

Other ways to reach the city

The STD Control Program can be reached at (215) 685-6740. For general questions about city health centers, call 311. The STD Control Program also says gonorrhea and chlamydia urine screening is available in all Philadelphia public high schools.

Common questions

If I have no symptoms, should I still get tested?

Only a test can answer that kind of question about your own body. The CDC and USPSTF recommend routine screening for some groups regardless of symptoms, as outlined above. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your age and circumstances.

Can symptoms go away on their own?

Symptoms can fade without the infection going away. Syphilis and herpes are good examples, since sores can heal while the infection remains. If symptoms came and went, a test is still worthwhile.

Is there a test that covers everything?

No single test covers every infection. Ask the clinician exactly which infections are included.

Will I need to tell my partners?

If you test positive, partners should be tested and may need treatment. The clinic or the STD Control Program's partner services can help with this. It is a health step, and it is a common one.

Does a positive result mean something is wrong with me?

No. STIs are common, and the CDC treats them as a routine part of sexual health care. Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis can be cured. HIV and herpes can be managed well with treatment.

STD Symptoms in Women: Signs, When to Test and Where in Philadelphia