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 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms at all. Others cause symptoms that look like a yeast infection, a urinary tract infection or an ordinary period problem. That is why a list of signs is only part of the story, and why testing is the only way to know what is going on.

This guide covers the symptoms of STDs in women, the signs that are worth a test, how untreated infections can affect the pelvic organs and fertility, when to see a clinician the same day, and where to get an STD test for women in Houston, including free and sliding-scale options.

Key takeaways

The CDC says most people with chlamydia and many with gonorrhea or trichomoniasis have no symptoms, so feeling fine does not settle the question. A test does.
Symptoms that deserve a test include unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods or after sex, sores, bumps and rashes.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can affect fertility. Bacterial STIs are curable with treatment from a clinician.
Severe pelvic pain, fever with pelvic pain, symptoms during pregnancy, or a possible HIV exposure in the last few days are reasons to be seen the same day.
In Houston, Houston Health Department centers, the Harris County Public Health Antoine Clinic, Legacy Community Health and others offer free or sliding-scale testing. A free mail-order kit is also available through Test for Texas.

In this guide

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide
STD symptoms women may notice
What each infection can look like
Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility
When to get an STD test for women, and which tests
When to see a clinician the same day
Where to get tested in Houston
Common questions

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide

It is natural to wait for a sign before getting tested. With STIs, that often means waiting too long.

Most infections are quiet

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note that most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. The same guidelines describe gonorrhea and trichomoniasis as frequently silent in women. Syphilis can pass through stages in which the only sign is a painless sore or a rash that is easy to miss. HIV may cause no symptoms for years.

Quiet does not mean harmless. An infection that goes unnoticed can still be passed to a partner. It can also cause problems in the pelvic organs, which is covered below.

Symptoms overlap with common conditions

Burning with urination can be a urinary tract infection. Itching and discharge can be a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Spotting can come from hormones, a new medication or a cervical polyp. Because the signs overlap, neither you nor a friend can sort them out from the description alone. A clinician can examine you and order the right tests.

Why this matters in Houston

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported 31,406 chlamydia cases in Harris County in 2022, a rate of 656.9 per 100,000 people. The statewide DSHS rate that year was 519.9. For gonorrhea, Harris County had 12,935 cases, or 270.6 per 100,000, against 207.0 for Texas as a whole (Texas STD Surveillance Report 2022). These are cases that were diagnosed and reported, which means they came from people who got tested.

Numbers like these are not a reason for alarm. They are a reason to treat testing as routine health care, in the same category as a blood pressure check.

STD symptoms women may notice

Not everyone with an STI has these signs, and having one does not mean an STI is the cause. Think of this list as a set of reasons to book a visit, not as a way to figure out a cause.

Changes in vaginal discharge or odor

Discharge that is new, heavier, a different color or a different smell can be linked to chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. It can also come from bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. A swab or urine test helps sort these out, and the treatments differ, so guessing with an over-the-counter product can delay the right care.

Burning, urgency or pain with urination

Pain when you urinate is a common sign of chlamydia and gonorrhea, and also of urinary tract infections. If it does not clear quickly, or comes with discharge, pelvic pain or a new partner, ask for STI testing along with a urine check.

Pelvic or lower belly pain

A dull ache or sharper pain low in the abdomen can be a sign of inflammation in the uterus, tubes or ovaries. The CDC lists lower abdominal pain among the signs of PID. Pain that is mild and short-lived can have many causes. Pain that is persistent or getting worse should be checked.

Pain during sex

Pain deep in the pelvis during sex can be linked to infection of the cervix or pelvic organs. It can also have non-infectious causes, such as endometriosis or pelvic floor tension. Either way, it is a legitimate reason to see a clinician.

Bleeding between periods or after sex

Bleeding outside your usual period, or bleeding after sex, can accompany cervical infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It can also come from hormonal changes, cervical changes or other conditions. Report it to a clinician rather than waiting to see if it repeats.

Sores, bumps, blisters or rashes

Several infections can cause visible changes on the genitals, anus or mouth:

Herpes can cause clusters of blisters or sores that may be painful or tingly, though many people have mild signs or none.
Syphilis can cause a firm, painless sore in its first stage. A later stage can cause a rash that sometimes appears on the palms and soles, per the CDC.
Genital warts, caused by certain types of HPV, can appear as small bumps or a rough patch.

Many skin conditions look similar to these, including razor bumps, ingrown hairs and irritation from soaps. A clinician can look at it directly and test it if needed.

Itching, irritation or swelling

Itching in the genital area is frequently non-infectious, but trichomoniasis is one STI that can cause itching, irritation and discharge. Persistent irritation is worth a visit.

Symptoms outside the genitals

STIs can involve the throat or rectum, depending on the kind of sex a person has. A sore throat that does not go away, rectal pain, discharge or bleeding after anal sex are reasons to ask about testing at those sites. A standard urine or vaginal swab does not check them, so tell the clinician what kinds of sex you have had. That is how they decide which samples to collect.

Flu-like symptoms after a possible exposure

The CDC notes that some people develop fever, rash, sore throat or swollen glands within weeks of acquiring HIV. Many people have no such illness. If you have had a possible exposure and feel sick, mention both to a clinician.

What each infection can look like

The table below summarizes what the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and CDC patient pages describe. It is a general overview, not a way to identify an infection in yourself.

Infection	Symptoms women may notice	Often silent?	Curable?
Chlamydia	Discharge, burning with urination, bleeding between periods or after sex, pelvic pain	Yes, in most cases	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Gonorrhea	Discharge, burning with urination, bleeding between periods, pelvic pain; throat or rectal symptoms	Often	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Trichomoniasis	Discharge, itching, irritation, discomfort with urination or sex	Often	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Syphilis	A painless sore, later a rash, other whole-body signs in later stages	Yes, signs can be missed	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Genital herpes	Blisters or sores, tingling, pain; may be very mild	Often	Not curable; treatable and manageable
HPV	Often none; some types cause genital warts	Usually	Not curable; most infections clear on their own, and related changes can be treated
HIV	Often none; some people have a flu-like illness early on	Yes, for years	Not curable; treatable and manageable

A word on HPV and cervical screening

HPV is common, and the CDC says most infections go away on their own. Some types can cause changes in the cervix over time. For that reason, the USPSTF recommends regular cervical cancer screening for women from age 21 to 65, using Pap tests, HPV tests or both depending on age. This screening is separate from an STI panel, so ask your clinician which you are due for.

A word on herpes testing

The CDC does not recommend routine herpes blood testing for people without symptoms. If you have a sore or blisters, a clinician can swab it for a lab test. If you are worried about herpes without symptoms, talk with a clinician about what testing can and cannot tell you before you decide.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility

What PID is

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. The CDC explains that it often develops when bacteria, commonly from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, travel upward from the cervix. PID can also be caused by other organisms.

How it can affect fertility

The CDC says PID can cause scarring in the reproductive tract. That scarring can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and difficulty becoming pregnant. Not everyone who has had chlamydia or gonorrhea develops PID, and not everyone who has had PID has fertility problems. The risk is real, though, and it is one reason the CDC emphasizes finding and treating these infections early.

PID can be quiet too

Some people with PID have mild symptoms or none, and the damage can happen without warning signs. When symptoms do occur, they can include lower abdominal pain, unusual discharge, pain during sex, bleeding between periods and sometimes fever. Because PID is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician, and earlier treatment is associated with a lower risk of lasting problems, prompt care matters.

What this means for planning a family

If you hope to have a child now or later, regular screening is a practical way to protect that option. If you have had an STI in the past, you can ask a clinician whether it has any bearing on your care. Most people who have had a bacterial STI and were treated go on to have no lasting effect. Only a clinician who knows your history can speak to your situation.

When to get an STD test for women, and which tests

Routine screening recommendations

You do not need symptoms to qualify for testing. National guidance from the CDC and USPSTF includes these points:

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: The USPSTF and CDC recommend yearly screening for sexually active women under 25. Women 25 and older are advised to be screened if they have risk factors, such as a new partner, more than one partner or a partner with an STI.
HIV: The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once, and more often if there is ongoing risk.
Syphilis and hepatitis: The CDC recommends testing based on risk and, for syphilis, during pregnancy. Ask your clinician about hepatitis B and C screening too.
Pregnancy: The CDC recommends syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B testing at the first prenatal visit. Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 81.090, syphilis and HIV tests are also done in the third trimester, and a woman may decline the HIV tests but not the syphilis tests. Texas also requires syphilis testing at delivery.

Reasons to test sooner

A new sexual partner, or a partner who has other partners
A partner who tells you they were diagnosed with an STI
Any of the symptoms described above
Sex without a condom or other barrier with a partner whose status you do not know
A past STI, since reinfection can happen

What testing usually involves

For chlamydia and gonorrhea, a clinician may collect a urine sample or a vaginal swab. The CDC notes that a vaginal swab, which you can often collect yourself in the clinic, is the preferred sample for women. If you have had oral or anal sex, you can ask about throat or rectal swabs. HIV and syphilis testing is done with a blood draw or finger-stick. Trichomoniasis testing uses a vaginal swab. Herpes testing, when appropriate, uses a swab from a sore.

Timing and window periods

Each test has a window period, which is the time after an exposure before the test can reliably detect an infection. For HIV, the CDC says a nucleic acid test can detect HIV about 10 to 33 days after exposure, an antigen/antibody lab test about 18 to 45 days, and rapid antigen/antibody tests about 18 to 90 days. The CDC lists antibody-only tests at roughly 23 to 90 days. For other infections, window periods depend on the test, so ask the clinic how long to wait and whether to repeat a test later. Testing too early is not harmful, but a negative result may need to be confirmed.

If a test is positive

Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician, who will choose the right medicine for you. HIV and herpes are not curable, but both are treatable and manageable. The clinician will also talk with you about partners. In Texas, a physician can prescribe medicine for the partners of an established patient without examining them first, a practice called expedited partner therapy. The CDC's page on the legal status of EPT in Texas describes the rules. Ask your clinician whether it fits your situation.

Texas DSHS lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV as notifiable conditions, so labs and clinicians report positive results to public health authorities. Health departments use that information to track infections and, in some cases, to help notify partners.

Doxy-PEP, in brief

In 2024, the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex (doxy-PEP) to lower the chance of certain bacterial STIs. The guidance applies to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and to transgender women, who had a bacterial STI in the past year. The CDC says the evidence is not yet enough to recommend it for cisgender women. If you are interested in prevention options, ask a clinician what is appropriate for you, including PrEP for HIV, which is offered at several Houston clinics listed below.

When to see a clinician the same day

Most STI visits can be scheduled in the next few days. Some situations call for faster care. Contact a clinician, an urgent care center or an emergency department promptly if you notice any of the following.

Severe pelvic or abdominal pain, especially if it comes on suddenly or comes with fever, vomiting or fainting. These can be signs of PID or of other conditions, including ectopic pregnancy, that need quick care.
Fever or chills with pelvic pain or discharge.
Symptoms while pregnant, such as unusual discharge, pelvic pain, sores or bleeding.
A possible HIV exposure within the last 72 hours. The CDC says post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should begin as soon as possible and within 72 hours. A clinician decides whether it is appropriate and prescribes it. The Houston Health Department offers nPEP by appointment at its health centers (832-395-9800), and Legacy Community Health also lists PEP among its services.
Sexual assault. You deserve care and are not at fault. An emergency department can provide exam, testing and preventive care. You can choose what you want to do at your own pace.
Pain with swelling, redness or a very painful sore that is spreading or getting worse quickly.

If you are not sure whether your symptoms are urgent, call a clinic and describe what is happening. Staff can tell you whether to come in now.

Where to get tested in Houston

Houston has several places that offer free or low-cost STD testing. Hours and walk-in policies change, so call before you go. For a fuller comparison of options and costs, see our guide to STD testing in Houston and what it costs, or go straight to the local testing list.

Houston Health Department health centers

The Houston Health Department runs STD services at its health centers, with testing, treatment and PrEP and nPEP by appointment. Fees are on a sliding scale. The department says walk-ins are accepted as capacity permits, and that appointments are encouraged starting September 1, 2026, so a walk-in visit is not guaranteed. The department's scheduling line for these centers is 832-393-4220. The centers include:

Northside Health Center, 8504 Schuller Rd., Houston, Texas 77093
Sharpstown Health Services, 6201 Bonhomme Rd., 3rd Floor, South Tower, Houston, Texas 77036
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Rd., Houston, Texas 77051-2718

For PrEP and nPEP appointments at these centers, call 832-395-9800. The health department's page does not list clinic hours here, so confirm them when you call.

Harris County Public Health Antoine Clinic

Harris County Public Health lists testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, STI treatment and PrEP at its Antoine Clinic, 5815 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77091. Services are free, and walk-ins are welcome according to its End HIV testing page. Rapid HIV testing is also listed. The clinic's page gives hours of Monday through Thursday 8am to 7pm, closed Friday, and every other Saturday 8am to 2pm. Call 832-927-7350 to confirm before visiting.

Legacy Community Health, Montrose

Legacy Community Health at 1415 California St., Houston, TX 77006 (phone (832) 548-5100) lists HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C testing as free, with walk-in availability. A full STI panel is offered as appointments are available, and the page does not list a price for it. Legacy says its services are open to everyone regardless of ability to pay. It also lists PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP, and a free express STI testing option for uninsured patients without symptoms. Legacy's PrEP line for low- or no-cost options is (713) 814-3300.

Avenue 360 Health and Wellness

Avenue 360 offers free walk-in rapid HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis testing at its Heights clinic (2150 West 18th Street, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77008) and its Midtown clinic (2920 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77002), Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. The phone for both is (713) 426-0027. The testing page describes rapid syphilis testing, not a full STI panel. If you need chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis testing, choose one of the other clinics above or ask Avenue 360 what it can arrange.

The Montrose Center

The Montrose Center, an LGBTQ+ community center at 401 Branard Street, Houston, Texas 77006, offers free walk-in rapid HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis testing, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 2pm. Its page states that it does not offer a full STI panel or PrEP. The phone is 713-529-0037.

Testing from home

If getting to a clinic is hard, Texas DSHS lists Test for Texas, a free mail-order self-collection kit for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is available to anyone in Texas aged 13 or older, with no insurance needed, and you order it at testfortexas.org. Together TakeMeHome offers a free pack of two HIV self-tests to U.S. residents aged 17 and older, once every 90 days. Harris County Public Health's Testing123 program sends staff to a location you choose in Harris or Montgomery County for free HIV and syphilis testing. You can text (281) 962-8378 to arrange it. Legacy also lists a free at-home rapid HIV test mailed after a phone screening, subject to availability.

You can also search by ZIP code on the CDC's GetTested locator to find other testing sites.

If you are under 18

Under Texas Family Code Section 32.003, a minor of any age may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which covers reportable STIs and HIV. A parent or guardian's consent is not needed. The same section allows a physician to tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, so a clinic may not be able to promise that a parent will never find out. Ask the clinic about its confidentiality practices before your visit. Houston Health Department also notes that a Texas law that took effect September 1, 2025 gives parents access to a minor's electronic health record, which is worth asking about.

Cost and insurance

Cost depends on the clinic. The Antoine Clinic, Avenue 360 and the Montrose Center list their testing as free. The Houston Health Department centers use a sliding scale, and the health department's pages do not list fees, so call to ask. Legacy lists some tests as free and does not state pricing for a full panel. If you have insurance, many preventive screenings are covered, but check your plan. If you do not, ask any clinic about financial help before you decide not to go.

Common questions

Can I have an STI if my symptoms disappeared?

Symptoms can come and go, or fade without the infection being gone. The CDC notes this is true of syphilis, for example, where a first sore heals on its own while the infection remains. A test is the way to find out, and a clinician can interpret the result.

Does a Pap test check for STIs?

No. A Pap test looks for cervical cell changes, and an HPV test looks for high-risk HPV types. Neither one screens for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV. Ask for those specifically.

Do I need to tell my partner?

If you test positive for a curable infection, partners usually need testing and treatment too, or you can be reinfected. Your clinician or the health department can help with how to start the conversation, and public health staff can notify partners without naming you in some situations. Ask what is available at your clinic.

Can a woman who has sex with women get an STI?

Yes. The CDC notes that STIs including HPV, herpes, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis can pass between women. Screening recommendations are based on your body and your history, not on your partner's gender. Tell your clinician about your partners so they can recommend the right tests.

How do I prepare for a visit?

You do not need to do anything special. If you can, avoid urinating for about an hour before a urine test if the clinic asks you to, and bring a list of any medicines you take. Write down your symptoms and when they started. Be as direct as you can with the clinician. They have heard it all and are there to help, not to judge.

Sources

CDC, Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021, and CDC updates including the 2024 doxy-PEP guidance
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and cervical cancer screening
CDC GetTested testing locator
CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy in Texas
Texas DSHS, Texas STD Surveillance Report 2022
Texas DSHS, Texas Notifiable Conditions 2026
Texas DSHS, Test for Texas self-collection kits
Texas Family Code, Section 32.003
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 81, Section 81.090
Houston Health Department, HIV and viral hepatitis
Harris County Public Health, HIV and STI Prevention

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