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.

Key takeaways

Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms at all, so the absence of symptoms does not tell you much. Only a test can.
Many of the symptoms listed below have common causes that are not STIs, such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections. A clinician can sort out which is which.
The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend regular chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women under 25, and for older women with risk factors, even without symptoms.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can affect fertility. Treatment from a clinician can prevent this.
Severe lower belly pain, fever with pelvic pain, or symptoms during pregnancy deserve same-day care.
San Diego has free and low-cost testing, including walk-in options. Details are in the local section below.

In this guide

Why most STIs cause no symptoms, and who should test
Signs that are worth a test
What each infection can look and feel like
Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility
When to test, and when to be seen the same day
What an STD test for women involves
Where to get tested in San Diego
Treatment, partners and next steps

Many people look up the symptoms of an STD in a female body because something feels different. Others look because they are worried after a new partner or a condom that broke. Both reasons are good ones. This guide explains what symptoms can mean, what they cannot tell you, and how to get tested in San Diego.

A guide cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician and a test can.

Why most STIs cause no symptoms, and who should test

The most important fact about STD symptoms in women is that many infections cause none. The CDC says chlamydia is often silent. Most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Gonorrhea is similar in women, and the CDC notes that symptoms, when they appear, are often mild and easy to mistake for a bladder or vaginal infection. Trichomoniasis, genital herpes and HPV can also pass without any noticeable sign.

This is why testing is based on your situation, not only on how you feel. A person can feel completely well and still benefit from a test.

Who the guidelines say should be screened

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and the USPSTF recommend yearly screening for sexually active women under 25. They also recommend it for women 25 and older who have risk factors, such as a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has an STI.
HIV: The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once, and more often if there are ongoing risks. The USPSTF makes a similar recommendation.
Hepatitis C: The CDC recommends that all adults be screened at least once.
Pregnancy: The CDC guidelines recommend that pregnant women be screened for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B early in pregnancy. Some will need additional testing later, depending on risk.
Syphilis, trichomoniasis and others: Screening depends on your history, your partners and your symptoms. A clinician can tell you what fits your situation.

A common mix-up is worth clearing up. A Pap test or HPV test screens for cervical cancer risk. According to the CDC, it does not check for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV. Those need their own tests.

Signs that are worth a test

These are the signs people most often report. None of them proves an STI. Each one is a reason to talk with a clinician and ask about testing.

Changes in discharge or odor

A change in color, amount or smell of vaginal discharge can be linked to chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. It can also come from bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, which are not STIs in the same sense. Only an exam and lab tests can tell them apart.

Burning or pain with urination

Pain when you pee is a classic sign of a urinary tract infection. It can also appear with chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or genital herpes. If it is new and you have had a recent partner, mention that when you are seen.

Pain during sex or bleeding after it

Pain with sex, or bleeding after sex, can be linked to infection of the cervix or pelvic organs. There are also many non-infectious causes. It is still a good reason to be checked.

Bleeding between periods

Spotting between periods can be a sign of cervical infection, among many other causes, including hormonal changes. Mention it to a clinician.

Lower belly or pelvic pain

A dull or aching pain low in the abdomen can be a sign of PID. This is covered in its own section below. Pain that is severe or comes with fever should be seen the same day.

Sores, bumps, blisters or a rash

Sores or blisters on or near the genitals, mouth or anus can be linked to herpes or syphilis. Small, flesh-colored bumps can be genital warts, which are caused by certain types of HPV. A rash on the palms or soles of the feet can be a sign of secondary syphilis, according to the CDC. Ingrown hairs, razor irritation and skin conditions can look similar, so a visual check by a clinician matters.

Itching or irritation

Itching around the vulva or vagina can come from trichomoniasis, but also from yeast infections, soaps, and other irritants.

Sore throat, anal pain or discharge

Infections can occur in the throat and rectum as well as the genitals, depending on the type of sex a person has. A test that only uses a urine sample or a vaginal swab will not check those sites. If you have had oral or anal sex, ask the clinician about testing those areas.

What each infection can look and feel like

The table below summarizes what the CDC describes for the most common STIs. A person can have any of these with no signs, and any sign can have more than one cause.

Infection	Possible signs in women	Curable?
Chlamydia	Often none. Sometimes discharge, burning with urination, pelvic pain, bleeding between periods.	Yes, with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician
Gonorrhea	Often none or mild. Sometimes discharge, burning with urination, bleeding between periods.	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Trichomoniasis	Often none. Sometimes itching, discharge, odor, discomfort with urination.	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Syphilis	A usually painless sore, later a rash, and other signs. It can also be silent for long periods.	Yes, with treatment from a clinician
Genital herpes	Often none or very mild. Sometimes painful blisters or sores, itching, burning.	No, but treatable and manageable
HPV	Often none. Some types cause genital warts. Some types can cause cervical changes found on screening.	No, but most infections clear on their own, and related problems can be treated
HIV	Some people have a flu-like illness within a few weeks. Others have no signs for years.	No, but treatable with daily medicine prescribed by a clinician

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

These are bacterial infections spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. They are the two infections most tied to PID. Both are curable. Because they are so often silent, regular screening is how most cases are found.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The CDC notes that most people who have it do not notice symptoms. It is curable with treatment from a clinician, and partners are usually treated at the same time.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first sign is often a firm, painless sore where the infection entered the body. It can go unnoticed, especially inside the vagina or anus. A later rash may appear and then fade without treatment, which does not mean the infection is gone. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician, and testing is a blood test.

Syphilis matters especially in pregnancy because it can pass to the baby. According to the Times of San Diego, reporting County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency data, San Diego County had 31 cases of congenital syphilis in 2024, down from 36 in 2023. The same report noted three stillbirths or neonatal deaths in 2024, the most since 2019. This is a main reason prenatal testing is recommended.

Genital herpes

Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Many people never have a recognizable outbreak, and many do not know they carry the virus. When symptoms occur, they can include blisters or sores, itching or tingling, and pain with urination. There is no cure, but clinicians can prescribe medicine that treats outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing the virus on. Herpes is manageable, and many people live with it with few problems.

HPV

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, according to the CDC. Most infections cause no symptoms and clear on their own. Some types cause genital warts, and some can cause cervical cell changes over time. The USPSTF recommends regular cervical cancer screening for women, with the schedule depending on age. A vaccine is available, and a clinician can tell you if it is right for you.

HIV

Some people notice a flu-like illness, with fever, sore throat or swollen glands, in the weeks after HIV enters the body. Many do not. HIV has no cure, but the CDC says treatment with daily medicine can keep the virus at very low levels and allow people to stay healthy. Testing is the only way to know. The CDC describes window periods that depend on the test type. A lab test of blood drawn from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure, and a finger-prick test 18 to 90 days. Antibody tests, including most rapid tests, can take 23 to 90 days. If you think you were recently exposed, a clinician can explain which test fits and whether medicine to prevent HIV after an exposure is an option.

Hepatitis B and C

These viruses can be spread sexually or by other routes. Many people have no symptoms for years. A blood test is the way to find out, and the CDC recommends one-time hepatitis C screening for all adults.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. According to the CDC, it often starts when bacteria, frequently from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, travel up from the cervix. Not all PID comes from an STI, and not every untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea infection leads to PID.

PID can cause lower belly pain, pain with sex, unusual discharge, bleeding between periods, fever, or pain with urination. It can also be mild or cause nothing noticeable. That is part of why it matters.

The CDC says PID can cause scarring in the reproductive organs. Possible long-term effects include chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and difficulty getting pregnant. The CDC notes that the sooner PID is treated, the lower the chance of these problems. A clinician prescribes the treatment, which is usually antibiotics.

This is not a reason for fear. It is a reason that treating chlamydia and gonorrhea early, and screening when there are no symptoms, makes sense. If you have had PID or an STI in the past and are worried about fertility, a clinician can talk through what that means for you.

When to test, and when to be seen the same day

Reasons to book a test

You are sexually active and under 25, and have not been screened in the past year.
You have a new partner, or more than one partner.
A partner tells you they have an STI, or a condom broke or was not used.
You have any of the signs listed above, even mild ones.
You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
You have never had an HIV or hepatitis C test.
It has been a while and you want peace of mind. That is reason enough.

Reasons to be seen the same day

Some symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment. Contact a clinic or urgent care the same day if you have:

Pain in the lower belly or pelvis that is moderate to severe, or that is getting worse.
Fever or chills together with pelvic pain, pain with sex or unusual discharge.
Pain or swelling in the genital area that is severe.
Nausea or vomiting along with pelvic pain.
Any genital sores, unusual discharge, or burning with urination while you are pregnant.
Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with sudden, sharp pain on one side, particularly if you could be pregnant.

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if pain is severe, you feel faint, or you cannot keep fluids down.

If you were exposed recently

Some infections do not show up on a test right away. The CDC publishes window periods for HIV, as noted above. For other infections, a clinician can tell you when testing is most useful, and whether to test now and again later. Testing sooner can still help if you have symptoms or want to start treatment or prevention without delay.

What an STD test for women involves

An STD test for women is usually simple and quick. What is collected depends on your history and what you want checked.

Urine sample or vaginal swab: used for chlamydia, gonorrhea and often trichomoniasis. The CDC notes that a vaginal swab is the preferred sample for women, and it can be collected by the clinician or by you in private.
Throat or rectal swabs: used when oral or anal sex is part of your history.
Blood test: used for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and sometimes herpes antibodies.
Rapid HIV test: a finger-prick or oral test with results in minutes at some sites.
Exam of sores or discharge: a clinician may take a sample from a sore or look at discharge under a microscope.
Cervical screening: a Pap test, an HPV test, or both, depending on your age and the USPSTF schedule.

You can ask for the tests you want. If you are not sure which ones to ask for, tell the clinician about your partners and the kind of sex you have had. You do not need to justify anything. The conversation is confidential.

Costs and privacy

Costs vary by clinic and insurance. Several San Diego sites list free or income-based testing, described below. If a clinic does not publish a price, ask when you call.

For young people, California Family Code section 6926 allows a minor age 12 or older to consent to diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and to care to prevent them, according to the California Public Law mirror of the statute. Guttmacher Institute lists no parental notification provision for California. Parents are not liable for payment under the statute.

Where to get tested in San Diego

San Diego has several testing options, including free and sliding-scale clinics. The list below uses clinic websites and CDC directories. Hours and services can change, so confirm by phone before you go. A fuller breakdown of locations and prices is in our guide to STD testing in San Diego, where to get tested and what it costs. You can also look up more sites in the CDC's GetTested directory.

County of San Diego Central Public Health Center (Southeastern Live Well Center)

The county's sexual health clinic is at 5101 Market St, San Diego, CA 92114. The CDC's GetTested listing says it offers testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It also lists HPV vaccine, PrEP navigation and income-based charges, and says it accepts insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. The listing shows a free STI test and free HIV test. Call (619) 229-5400 to confirm eligibility, whether you need an appointment and current hours. The listing says an appointment is required, while other county materials suggest walk-in service, so a call is the safest way to know. The county's STD clinical services page is the official source.

Family Health Centers of San Diego, Hillcrest

Hillcrest Family Health Center is at 4094 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103. Its daytime clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the clinic's page says walk-ins are welcome. It lists STI screening and treatment, HIV and hepatitis services, PrEP and PEP. The page says the clinic may be able to waive fees or help with insurance enrollment. Call (619) 515-2300 for appointments or (619) 515-2545 for information.

The Night Clinic at Hillcrest

The Night Clinic is at the same address and runs Monday to Thursday, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The clinic's page describes free and confidential HIV testing and low-cost STI tests, and says fees may be waived. It lists walk-ins, free parking, PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP, along with hepatitis testing and STI treatment. Friday hours are not listed, so ask. Call (619) 515-2545, or (619) 515-2300 for appointments.

San Diego LGBT Community Center (The Center)

The Center is at 3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA 92103, and welcomes people of every gender and orientation for testing. The CDC's National Prevention Information Network listing says services have no fee, with a note to contact the organization about eligibility. It lists on-site chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, rapid HIV and rapid hepatitis C testing, plus PrEP navigation. The listed hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a note to call for testing hours. The phone number is 619-692-2077. Sources differ on whether an appointment is needed, so call first.

Planned Parenthood College Avenue

The Planned Parenthood health center is at 4575 College Ave, San Diego, CA 92115. The CDC GetTested listing says no appointment is required. It lists rapid and blood HIV tests, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis tests, HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, and PrEP navigation. Payment options listed are insurance, Medicaid and a sliding scale. Hours are not published in the listing, so call (888) 743-7526 before you go.

UC San Diego Health Owen Clinic

The Owen Clinic is primarily an HIV care clinic. Its page describes a PrEP clinic for HIV-negative patients, with appointments at 619-543-3995. It does not list STI testing, so use it for PrEP and HIV care, not as a general STI testing site.

Testing at home

Family Health Centers of San Diego lists at-home and mail-in testing options on its prevention page. Eligibility and cost are not stated there. If you have a positive at-home result, the page lists (619) 876-4462 to call. Ask a clinician how to follow up on any result.

San Diego County in context

The Times of San Diego, reporting County of San Diego HHSA data, said the county recorded 16,414 chlamydia cases in 2024, down 7.4 percent from 17,720 in 2023. It recorded 6,021 gonorrhea cases, down 9.5 percent from 6,651. Primary and secondary syphilis fell 35.8 percent to 309 cases from 481. These figures show that infections are common and also that numbers have been going down. They are counts of reported cases, so many silent infections are not included.

Treatment, partners and next steps

Treatment

Treatment is something a clinician prescribes after testing. Bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are curable, as is trichomoniasis. Herpes, HPV and HIV are not curable, but each is treatable or manageable, and a clinician can explain the options. Take any prescribed medicine as directed, and ask when it is safe to have sex again.

Telling partners

Partners need to be tested or treated so the infection does not pass back and forth. In California, Health and Safety Code section 120582 allows a physician, and also nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and physician assistants, to provide antibiotics to the partners of a patient with chlamydia, gonorrhea or certain other STIs without examining the partner first. This is called expedited partner therapy, according to the California Public Law mirror of the statute. Ask your clinician whether it applies to you. Partners should still consider a full check, since they may have other infections.

Telling a partner can feel hard. Keep it short and factual. Something like "I was tested and found an infection that needs treatment, and you should get checked too" is enough. It is a health conversation and not a judgment of anyone.

Prevention options

Condoms and dental dams lower the chance of many STIs.
Vaccines exist for HPV and for hepatitis A and B.
PrEP is medicine that prevents HIV, and the clinics above list PrEP services. PEP is medicine started soon after an exposure, and it works best when started quickly.
Doxy-PEP: The CDC's 2024 guidance recommends doxycycline taken after sex for gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have had a bacterial STI in the past year. The CDC said evidence was not sufficient to make the same recommendation for cisgender women. If you are curious, ask a clinician whether it is a fit for you.
Regular testing catches silent infections early.

If your result is negative

A negative result means the test did not detect that infection at that time. If you were exposed recently, the clinician may suggest testing again after the window period. New partners or new symptoms are good reasons to test again.

If your result is positive

Many people feel a rush of worry. Most STIs are manageable, and several are curable. A clinician will explain the next steps, treatment and what to tell partners. You are not alone, and an infection says nothing about your worth.

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