4. Pain, Itching, and Swelling in the Vulva or Penis
Another common symptom of chlamydia involves swelling of the vulva in women, as well as the tip of the penis in men around the opening of the urethra. Women may notice heightened sensitivity in the vulva a few days after contracting the disease, with itching symptoms showing up a few days later.
Men may first experience pain during urination before noticing that the tip of their penis becomes irritable and itchy. As the bacteria work their way down the urethra, they eventually reach the tip of the penis and present itching symptoms. Uncircumcised men may experience itching over the entire area of the head of the penis, as the bacteria colonize under the skin.
Doctors treat itching symptoms by prescribing antibiotic medications to kill the bacteria. Your physician may also issue a topical corticosteroid cream to soothe the inflammation and stop itching symptoms on the penis or vulva. Symptoms will begin to subside a few days after starting treatment for the disease.