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 cause no symptoms at all. Others cause signs that are easy to mistake for something ordinary, like a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection. That is why this guide covers both what the symptoms of an STD in a female body can look like and why testing, not symptoms, is how people find out their status.

This guide is for women of every orientation, and for anyone with a vagina, cervix or uterus, including trans men and nonbinary people. It explains common signs, when to get an STD test for women, which signs call for same-day care, and where testing is available in Austin.

Key takeaways

The CDC says chlamydia and gonorrhea often cause no symptoms in women, so a person can have an infection and feel fine.
Symptoms alone cannot tell you which infection, if any, is present. Only a test and a clinician can.
The CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend regular chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women 24 and younger, and for older women at higher risk.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which the CDC links to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and trouble getting pregnant.
Severe lower belly pain, fever with pelvic pain, or symptoms during pregnancy are reasons to contact a clinician the same day.
Austin Public Health lists testing and treatment at $30, and several Austin clinics offer free or sliding-scale testing.

In this guide

Why many STIs cause no symptoms
Common symptoms by infection
Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility
When to test and when to get same-day care
What an STD test for women involves
Where to test in Austin
Pregnancy, teens, privacy and partners in Texas
Sources

Why many STIs cause no symptoms

The most important fact about STD symptoms women notice is that many people notice nothing. The CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe chlamydia as frequently asymptomatic in women. The same guidelines say that many women with gonorrhea have no symptoms, or have mild symptoms that are mistaken for another condition.

This is not a sign that someone missed something or did anything wrong. Infections of the cervix, for example, can sit where a person cannot see or feel them. Mild symptoms can also come and go.

It also means a person with no symptoms may still have an infection that can be passed to a partner. And an infection that causes no symptoms can still cause harm over time if it is never found.

Why screening exists

Because symptoms are an unreliable guide, national guidelines recommend screening people who feel fine. The CDC and the USPSTF recommend screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in sexually active women 24 and younger. They also recommend it for older women who are at increased risk, such as those with a new partner or a partner who has other partners.

The CDC also recommends that everyone from 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. The USPSTF recommends HIV screening for people 15 to 65. Both say people with more risk should be tested more often.

The USPSTF recommends syphilis screening for people at increased risk and for all pregnant women. A clinician can help you work out which tests fit your situation.

Austin context

Texas and Travis County see a lot of infections that are easy to find and treat. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) STD Surveillance Report for 2022 lists Travis County's chlamydia rate at 712.6 per 100,000 people (9,452 cases). The statewide DSHS rate for the same year was 519.9 per 100,000.

For gonorrhea, DSHS lists Travis County at 351.4 per 100,000 (4,661 cases), compared with 207.0 for Texas as a whole. These are reported cases, so they reflect who was tested as well as who was infected. They are a reason testing is routine in Austin, not a reason for worry.

Common symptoms by infection

The list below describes what the CDC says each infection can cause. These signs overlap with each other and with non-STI conditions like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections and urinary tract infections. No one can tell which it is from symptoms alone, and this guide cannot tell you what you have. A clinician and a lab test can.

Chlamydia

Per the CDC, when chlamydia causes symptoms in women, they can include unusual vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, and bleeding between periods or after sex. Some women have pain in the lower belly or pain during sex. Many have none of these.

Chlamydia is curable with treatment from a clinician. Texas DSHS lists chlamydia as a notifiable condition, which means labs and clinicians report cases to the health department. DSHS lists a one-week reporting window.

Gonorrhea

The CDC says gonorrhea in women can cause increased discharge, burning with urination, and bleeding between periods. It can look much like chlamydia. Gonorrhea can also infect the throat and rectum, often without symptoms.

Gonorrhea is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC has noted concern about antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea, so finishing the full course a clinician prescribes matters, and so does a follow-up visit if the clinician asks for one.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The CDC says many people with it have no symptoms. When symptoms occur in women, they can include itching or irritation in the genital area, discharge that may have an odor, and discomfort with urination or sex.

It is curable with treatment from a clinician. Because it can look like other vaginal infections, testing helps sort out what is going on.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus. The CDC says many people with herpes have mild symptoms or none, and may not know they have it. When symptoms appear, they can include small blisters or sores that turn into painful ulcers, itching or tingling beforehand, and sometimes flu-like symptoms during a first outbreak.

Herpes is not curable, but it is treatable. A clinician can prescribe medicine that shortens outbreaks and lowers how often they happen. Many people live with herpes with few or no outbreaks.

Testing for herpes works differently from other STI tests. The Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic page says it can only test for genital herpes if you have active symptoms. If you have a sore, contact a clinic while it is still present, since a swab of an active sore is most useful.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first sign is often a single, firm, usually painless sore (a chancre) where the infection entered the body. Because it does not hurt, and may be inside the vagina or on the cervix, it can go unnoticed.

A later stage can cause a skin rash, often on the palms or soles, along with fever, swollen glands or patchy hair loss. Symptoms of the early stages can go away without treatment, but the infection remains until a clinician treats it. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician.

Texas DSHS lists primary and secondary syphilis as reportable within one work day. DSHS lists later stages, including congenital syphilis, within one week.

HIV

The CDC says some people have flu-like symptoms such as fever, tiredness, sore throat, rash or swollen glands within a few weeks of HIV infection. Many people have no symptoms for years. That is why the CDC recommends testing everyone at least once rather than waiting for signs.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. Per the CDC, a person on effective HIV treatment who keeps an undetectable viral load does not pass HIV to sex partners. Testing is the first step.

HPV and genital warts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common, and the CDC says most infections clear on their own without symptoms. Some types cause genital warts, which appear as small bumps or a cluster of bumps in the genital area. Other types can cause cervical cell changes that, over years, can lead to cervical cancer if not found and treated.

HPV is not curable, but the conditions it causes are treatable. The USPSTF recommends cervical cancer screening for women 21 to 65, using methods a clinician can explain. That screening is separate from testing for other STIs. The CDC also recommends HPV vaccination, which CommUnityCare's IDEALhealth program lists among its vaccines.

Symptoms that may signal something else

Itching, burning or a change in discharge can come from a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, a skin reaction to soap or a urinary tract infection. These are common and also treatable. If a symptom does not resolve, keeps coming back, or you are not sure, a test can help sort it out.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. The CDC says it often happens when bacteria such as those that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea travel up from the cervix. PID is not caused only by STIs, but the CDC treats untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea as important causes.

Some women with PID have symptoms such as lower belly or pelvic pain, unusual discharge, fever, pain with sex or bleeding between periods. Others have mild symptoms or none. The CDC notes that this can delay care.

How PID relates to fertility

The CDC states that PID can cause scarring in the reproductive tract. That scarring can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and difficulty getting pregnant. Not every person with PID has these outcomes. The CDC notes that earlier treatment lowers the chance of lasting problems.

This is the main reason screening matters even when you feel well. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable. Finding and treating them early is how clinicians try to prevent PID in the first place.

If you are hoping to become pregnant now or later, you can tell a clinician and ask which tests make sense. If a past infection or past PID is a concern, a clinician can talk through what it may mean for you personally.

When to test and when to get same-day care

Reasons to get tested

A test is reasonable in any of these situations:

You are sexually active and 24 or younger. The CDC and USPSTF recommend yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for this group.
You are older and have a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has other partners.
A partner tells you they have tested positive for an STI.
You notice unusual discharge, burning, sores, bumps, a rash, itching or bleeding after sex or between periods.
You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
You have never had an HIV test. The CDC recommends one at least once.
You are starting or continuing PrEP, where clinic visits include regular testing.

You do not need symptoms or a specific reason. Wanting to know is enough.

Testing after a possible exposure

Some tests can miss a very recent infection because the body or the lab needs time before an infection shows up. The CDC publishes window period information for each infection, and it varies by test type. Ask the clinic which test they use and when a repeat test makes sense. Your clinician can tell you whether and when to retest.

If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last few days, contact a clinic quickly. The CDC describes post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a prescription medicine that must be started soon after exposure. Kind Clinic and ASHwell both list PEP among their services, and CommUnityCare lists PEP organization-wide.

Contact a clinician the same day

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

Severe lower belly or pelvic pain, especially with fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.
Pain with sex that is new and intense, or pain that keeps getting worse.
Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding.
Symptoms of an infection while you are pregnant.
Sores or a rash together with fever or feeling very unwell.
Pain or swelling that is spreading, or that comes with a high fever.

If your pain is severe, or you feel faint or very ill, go to an emergency room or call 911. Pelvic pain can also come from causes that are not infections, such as an ectopic pregnancy, and these need urgent attention.

What an STD test for women involves

Many people put off testing because they are unsure what happens. In most cases an STD test for women is simpler than expected, and the CDC's guidelines say it often needs no pelvic exam at all.

Common test types

Urine or swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The CDC says a vaginal swab is the preferred sample for women. You can often collect it yourself in a private room.
Blood test for HIV and syphilis. This is usually a small blood draw or fingerstick. Rapid HIV tests give results quickly at some sites.
Swab of a sore. If there is an active sore, a clinician may swab it to test for herpes.
Throat or rectal swabs. Depending on the kind of sex you have, a clinician may suggest testing these sites, since infections there often cause no symptoms.
Cervical screening. A Pap test, an HPV test or both look for cervical cell changes. This is a separate test from the STI panel above.

Standard panels do not test for everything. Austin Public Health lists HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia as its standard tests. Ask any clinic exactly what it includes, and say so if you want something added.

Results and treatment

Turnaround varies by clinic and test. Ask when and how you will hear back. If a test is positive, a clinician explains the options. Bacterial infections and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment a clinician prescribes. HIV and herpes are treatable and manageable.

Do not use leftover medicine from someone else, or from an earlier illness. The right treatment depends on the specific infection, and only a clinician can decide that.

Telling partners

If a test is positive, a clinician will usually talk with you about letting recent partners know so they can be tested too. The CDC describes expedited partner therapy (EPT), where a clinician provides treatment for a partner without the partner being examined first. The CDC's Texas entry says state rules allow physicians and advanced practice nurses to prescribe STD medicine for the partners of an established patient. It also says pharmacists may dispense it.

Whether EPT fits your situation is a clinician's call. Ask about it when you receive a positive result.

Where to test in Austin

Austin has public, nonprofit and community options. Services, hours and fees can change, and Austin Public Health notes on its site that content updates may be delayed. Call ahead to confirm before you go.

For a longer comparison, including what testing costs at each site, see the guide to STD testing in Austin and what it costs. The local testing list on this site collects the clinics below in one place.

Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic

The clinic is at the RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702. Austin Public Health lists hours of Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. The phone number is 512-972-5430.

Austin Public Health says the fee for testing and treatment is only $30. Its page tells you to schedule a clinic appointment online or call. The clinic page lists HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia as standard tests. The page does not say whether walk-ins are accepted, so call first. More detail is on the Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic page.

Austin Public Health's Red Ribbon program also lists free HIV counseling and testing for people without symptoms. It lists a free 20-minute walk-in express testing service, scheduled through the same number, 512-972-5430. The page does not say where it takes place, so ask when you call.

CommUnityCare IDEALhealth Program

The program is at the Hancock Health Center, 1000 E. 41st St., Suite 700, Austin, TX 78751. The phone number is 512-978-9015. CommUnityCare lists STI and HIV testing and prevention, doxy-PEP, and vaccines including HPV, hepatitis A and B, and mpox.

It uses a sliding fee scale. CommUnityCare says the fee is determined through a meeting with a Financial Eligibility Specialist. Its page does not list a walk-in policy, so call ahead.

Kind Clinic, Austin Koenig

Kind Clinic's Koenig location is at 101 W Koenig Lane, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78751. The phone number is 833-937-5463. Kind Clinic says it offers walk-in testing for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV and hepatitis C at this location, and that walk-in testing hours differ from its general hours.

Kind Clinic states that since January 1, 2024, patients with health insurance must use their insurance to cover lab work. It adds that people who are uninsured or cannot afford lab costs can get help through its Kind Patient Assistance Program (KPAP).

Its South Austin location, at 2800 S IH 35 Frontage Rd #103, does not offer walk-in STI testing, per Kind Clinic's site. Kind Clinic also notes that doxy-PEP is not a standalone service, and that you must be in ongoing care there. Kind Clinic is closed on observed holidays and the first Friday of every month.

ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness

ASHwell is at 3100 Red River St, Suite 3, Austin, TX 78705, and the phone number is (512) 900-3116. It describes sex-positive counseling, testing, diagnosis and treatment of STIs. ASHwell says these services are always free, though there can be costs for medication. Its services page says STI treatment is only for ASHwell patients.

ASHwell does not currently accept walk-ins. Call or email [email protected] to arrange a visit.

Vivent Health Austin

Vivent Health is at 104 E. Highland Mall Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78752. The phone number is (512) 458-2437. Vivent says it offers free and confidential HIV testing at all its locations. The CDC's National Prevention Information Network listing for this site also lists rapid HIV testing and free STI and hepatitis C tests. Call to ask about walk-in testing hours or to make an appointment.

University Health Services, UT Austin

For UT Austin students, University Health Services runs an STI testing clinic in the Student Services Building, 100 West Dean Keeton Street, Room 1.400. The phone number is 512-471-4955. It lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis testing, with drop-in visits and no appointment needed. The drop-in service is for people without symptoms. People with symptoms need a provider appointment. The page does not list a price, so ask when you call.

Free at-home testing

Texas DSHS runs Test for Texas, which offers free mail-order self-testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia at testfortexas.org. Together TakeMeHome, which is CDC-funded, mails free HIV self-tests to people 17 and older. Self-tests do not replace a clinic visit if you have symptoms or a positive result, since a clinician needs to confirm results and provide treatment.

The CDC also runs a testing locator at gettested.cdc.gov, where you can enter a ZIP code to find more sites.

PrEP and prevention

PrEP is a prescription medicine that lowers the chance of getting HIV. Texas DSHS says it does not run its own PrEP medication assistance program, but it publishes a PrEP provider directory. Local clinics list their own options. ASHwell lists PrEP office visits and labs at $0 out-of-pocket. CommUnityCare lists low or no cost oral PrEP for people who qualify. Vivent Health lists PrEP with HIV and STI testing at the first visit.

The CDC's 2024 guidance on doxy-PEP, a medicine a clinician may prescribe after sex to lower bacterial STI risk, covers men who have sex with men and transgender women. The CDC says there was not enough evidence at that time to make the same recommendation for cisgender women. A clinician can explain what applies to you.

Pregnancy, teens, privacy and partners in Texas

Pregnancy

Untreated STIs can affect pregnancy, and some can pass to a baby. The Texas Health and Safety Code, Sec. 81.090, requires a syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B test at the first prenatal visit. It also requires a syphilis and HIV test in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week. It also requires syphilis and hepatitis B testing on admission for delivery.

Under the same statute, a woman may object to the HIV tests but not to the syphilis tests. The CDC lists syphilis as curable in pregnancy with treatment from a clinician, and early treatment matters. Per CDC data, Texas had 930 cases of congenital syphilis in 2023, a rate of 238.6 per 100,000 live births. If you are pregnant or could be, tell your prenatal clinician about any symptoms.

Teens and minors

Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which covers reportable STIs and HIV. Parental consent is not needed. Texas DSHS's publication "HIV and Texas Law" says the same for HIV.

The same statute allows a physician to tell a parent or guardian about treatment, with or without the minor's consent. A provider is permitted to do this, not required. If privacy matters to you, ask the clinic about its practice before your visit.

Privacy and reporting

Texas DSHS lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV as notifiable conditions. A positive result is reported to public health, which is a routine part of how cases are tracked and partners are offered care. Ask the clinic how your information is handled.

Texas has no HIV-specific or STD-specific criminal exposure law, according to CDC's 2023 analysis. General criminal laws can still apply in some situations. If you have questions about your own situation, a legal aid organization can help.

Costs without insurance

Cost should not stop anyone from testing. Free or low-cost choices in Austin include Austin Public Health's $30 fee, ASHwell's free services and Vivent Health's free HIV testing. CommUnityCare uses a sliding fee scale and Kind Clinic offers its patient assistance program. Ask each clinic what applies to you. If a price is not published, say so and ask.

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