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 for symptoms of STDs in females because they notice something new, or because they are worried after sex. The most important fact is simple: most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms at all, so how your body feels is not a reliable guide.

This guide explains what changes are worth getting checked, how symptoms differ by infection, what the link to pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility really is, when to see a clinician the same day, and where to get an STD test for women in Pittsburgh at no cost or low cost.

It is written for every woman and for anyone with a vagina, cervix or uterus, whatever your gender, partners or orientation.

Key takeaways

The CDC says most STIs have no symptoms, so testing is how a clinician finds out, not how you feel.
Changes worth a test include unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, sores, bumps, itching or a new rash.
Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can affect fertility. Early testing and treatment lower that risk.
Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable but are treatable or manageable.
Severe pelvic pain, pelvic pain with fever, or a recent possible HIV exposure calls for same-day care.
In Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Health Department Sexual Health Clinic offers free testing, and several other clinics offer free, sliding-scale or insurance-based testing.
Pennsylvania law lets any minor consent to testing and treatment for venereal disease.

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide

The CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) stress that many infections are silent. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes, HPV and HIV can all be present for a long time without a noticeable sign.

This is true for people of every gender, but it matters a great deal for women. Chlamydia and gonorrhea in particular often cause no symptoms, and the infection can still affect the reproductive tract.

What "no symptoms" means in practice

A lack of symptoms does not tell you anything about whether a test would find an infection. Only a test and a clinician can answer that question.

Symptoms can also be mild or easy to blame on something else. Discharge, itching and discomfort can come from yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, irritation from soaps or hygiene products, hormonal changes or skin conditions. A clinician can sort out which cause is behind a symptom, and that is one more reason to be checked rather than guess.

Why this matters locally

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) reports that in 2024 Allegheny County had a chlamydia rate of 421.3 per 100,000 people (5,190 cases) and a gonorrhea rate of 209.0 per 100,000 (2,574 cases). ACHD also reports 191 cases of early syphilis in 2024, a rate of 15.5 per 100,000, and 78 new HIV diagnoses, a rate of 7.5 per 100,000 among people 15 and older.

These are counts of infections that were found and reported. Because so many infections have no symptoms, they show how common testing and treatment are in our community. They are not a reason for alarm.

STD symptoms women may notice, infection by infection

The signs below are the ones the CDC describes most often. None of them proves an infection, and having none of them proves nothing. They are reasons to talk with a clinician.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

When they cause symptoms, the CDC lists changes such as:

Unusual vaginal discharge, sometimes with a different color or smell
Burning or pain when urinating
Bleeding between periods or after sex
Pain during sex
Lower belly or pelvic pain

Infections can also be in the throat or rectum, depending on the kind of sex a person has. These are often silent too. Both infections are curable with treatment from a clinician.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The CDC says many people have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include discharge, itching or irritation in the genital area, and discomfort when urinating or during sex. It is curable with treatment from a clinician.

Genital herpes

Herpes often causes no symptoms or very mild ones that are mistaken for a rash, an ingrown hair or a skin tear. When there is an outbreak, the CDC describes one or more blisters or sores on or near the genitals, anus or thighs. These can be painful and may follow tingling, itching or burning.

Herpes is not curable, but it is treatable. A clinician can prescribe medicine that manages outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing it on.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first sign is usually a sore, often painless, 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.

Later signs can include a rash that may appear on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, along with fever, swollen glands or patchy hair loss. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician, and earlier treatment is better.

HPV and genital warts

Most HPV infections have no symptoms and many clear on their own, according to the CDC. Some types cause genital warts. Other types can cause cell changes on the cervix that are found through cervical cancer screening, not through symptoms.

HPV is not curable, but its effects can be treated and monitored. A clinician can tell you which screening is right for your age and history. The HPV vaccine is also offered at some clinics listed below.

HIV

Some people have a flu-like illness, with fever, sore throat, rash or tiredness, about 2 to 4 weeks after HIV infection, according to the CDC. Many people have no early symptoms at all. Only an HIV test can show whether HIV is present.

HIV is not curable, but it is very treatable. The CDC says that with treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

Hepatitis B and C

These infections affect the liver and often cause no symptoms for years. Several Pittsburgh clinics below offer hepatitis C testing. A clinician can tell you whether hepatitis testing makes sense for you.

Symptoms that are not always an STI

Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections cause discharge, odor or itching, and they are not classed as STIs in the same way. Yet their symptoms overlap with those of STIs. That overlap is the main reason a clinician's exam and testing is more reliable than self-diagnosis.

When to get an STD test for women

Testing is not only for people with symptoms. It is routine preventive care, in the same category as a blood pressure check.

Routine screening

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) both recommend screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in sexually active women age 24 and younger. They also recommend it for older women who have risk factors, such as a new partner, more than one partner, or a partner who has other partners or has an STI.

The CDC also recommends that everyone from age 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Your clinician may suggest more frequent testing depending on your situation. Pregnant people have additional screening, covered below.

Good times to ask for a test

You notice any of the changes listed above
You have a new partner, or a partner tells you they have an STI
You or a partner have had other partners, and neither of you has been tested recently
You are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant
A condom broke or was not used, and you want peace of mind
You are starting or restarting a sexual relationship

About timing

After an exposure, some tests need time before they can reliably detect an infection. The length of that window differs by infection and by test. Rather than guess, ask the clinic or check the CDC's pages on each infection. A clinician may advise testing now and again later.

Testing in pregnancy

Pennsylvania's regulation 28 Pa. Code 27.89 directs a physician examining a pregnant woman to offer a syphilis test at the first examination. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also recommends additional testing in the third trimester and at delivery. Ask your prenatal provider which tests are planned for you.

Prevention options a clinician can discuss

Some clinics in Pittsburgh offer HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is for preventing HIV before exposure, and PEP is for starting soon after a possible exposure.

The CDC's 2024 guidance on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) addresses gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender women, who have had a bacterial STI recently. The CDC has not made a general recommendation for cisgender women, because evidence is limited. A clinician can talk through what applies to you.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. The CDC says it can happen when bacteria from the vagina or cervix, including those that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea, travel upward into the reproductive organs.

What the link to fertility is

The CDC explains that PID can cause scarring in the reproductive organs. That scarring can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) and difficulty getting pregnant.

It is important to read this carefully. Not everyone with chlamydia or gonorrhea develops PID, and not everyone with PID has fertility problems. The risk grows when infections go untreated, which is why finding and treating them early matters.

Signs of PID

PID can be mild or silent. When it causes symptoms, the CDC lists lower abdominal or pelvic pain, unusual discharge, fever, pain during sex, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods. If you notice these, contact a clinician promptly.

Treatment

PID is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician. The CDC says early treatment lowers the chance of lasting complications. Your clinician will tell you what treatment is right for you and how to follow up.

When to see a clinician the same day

Most STD concerns can be handled with a regular appointment. Some situations call for faster care.

Seek care the same day or go to an emergency department if you have

Severe pain in your lower belly or pelvis
Pelvic pain together with fever, chills, nausea or vomiting
Heavy or unexpected vaginal bleeding with pain, especially if you may be pregnant
Sudden dizziness or fainting with pelvic pain

These can have causes unrelated to an STI, and some need urgent attention whatever the cause.

Contact a clinic quickly if

You think you may have been exposed to HIV in the past few days. The CDC says PEP should be started as soon as possible and within 72 hours. The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic offers non-occupational PEP and asks that you call the clinic for urgent PEP guidance.
You are pregnant and notice symptoms, or a partner has been diagnosed with an STI
You have a new sore, blisters or a rash and want it checked
A partner has told you they have an STI

If you are in crisis

If you have experienced sexual assault, you can go to an emergency department for care. Clinicians there can talk through testing and prevention options. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape hosts weekly walk-in testing days, listed below.

Where to get tested in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has several options, including free testing, sliding-scale clinics and insurance-based care. The details below come from each organization's published information. Hours and services can change, so confirm by phone before you go. For a fuller local rundown, see our guide to STD testing in Pittsburgh, including where to go and what it costs.

Allegheny County Health Department Sexual Health Clinic

The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic lists free STD testing, HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, doxy-PEP, treatment and hepatitis C testing. It has two sites:

Downtown: Hartley Rose Building, 425 First Avenue, Fourth Floor (entrance on Cherry Way), Pittsburgh, PA 15219. ACHD lists hours of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, and Thursday 11:30 am to 6:15 pm, with a lunch closure.
McKeesport: Wander Building, 339 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. ACHD lists Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, closed 12 to 1 pm. This site also lists the HPV vaccine.

Walk-ins are accepted on a first come, first served basis, though appointments get priority. The phone number for questions and appointments is 412-578-8081. ACHD says patients are seen regardless of immigration status, and that photo ID is not required to be seen but is required to receive results. Other ACHD pages show different Downtown hours for some days, so call to confirm before you go.

ACHD also lists free at-home test kits for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV on its Sexual Health Clinic page. Check that page for who is eligible and how to order.

Allies for Health + Wellbeing

Allies for Health + Wellbeing lists free walk-in testing at 211 North Whitfield Street, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, on Sundays from 9 to 11:15 am and 1 to 4:15 pm. Allies also lists weekly walk-in sites at other locations:

Unity Recovery, 801 Bingham St, Tuesdays 5 to 7:15 pm
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, 81 S. 19th St, Wednesdays 9:30 to 11 am and noon to 4 pm
Bethany Baptist Church, 7745 Tioga St, Fridays 11 am to 2:15 pm

Allies lists rapid HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis results in about 20 minutes. It lists chlamydia and gonorrhea testing by urine, oral and rectal swabs. Allies has posted notices that some walk-in days were canceled, so confirm before you go. For clinic appointments, call 412-345-7456.

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center is at 933 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, phone (412) 434-8971. The CDC GetTested directory lists HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing, and the HPV vaccine. It lists a sliding scale, and says insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. An appointment is required. The directory does not list hours, so call to confirm.

Central Outreach Wellness Center

Central Outreach Wellness Center, an LGBTQ-focused community health center, is at 127 Anderson Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. It offers care to patients with or without insurance and lists sliding-scale options. The CDC GetTested directory lists STI testing, rapid HIV testing, hepatitis C testing, PrEP and the HPV vaccine, with no appointment required. The clinic's website lists weekday hours, and the CDC directory differs slightly for Fridays, so confirm by phone. The site lists (412) 322-4151, and the CDC directory lists (412) 515-0000.

University Family Medicine UPMC, Squirrel Hill

This UPMC practice is at 5608 Wilkin Ave, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, phone (412) 422-8762. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV, hepatitis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing. It says appointments are required and that insurance and Medicaid are accepted. The listing does not show a price or hours, so contact the office.

Find more options

The CDC's GetTested directory lets you look up other testing sites by ZIP code. Call ahead to ask about cost, hours and whether you need an appointment.

What to expect, your rights and next steps

What happens at a visit

A clinician will ask about your symptoms, partners and the kinds of sex you have, so they can choose the right tests. Questions are about care, not judgment. You can ask for any test you want, and you can ask why a test is or is not suggested.

Depending on your history, testing may use a urine sample, a swab from the vagina (which many clinics let you collect yourself), throat or rectum, or a blood test. Some results, such as rapid HIV tests, come in minutes. Others take days. Ask how and when you will get results.

Privacy and consent for minors

Pennsylvania's Act of Feb. 13, 1970, P.L. 19, No. 10 (35 P.S. 10103), Section 3, says any minor may consent to medical and health services to determine the presence of or to treat venereal disease. The consent of no other person is necessary. The ACHD Sexual Health Clinic says it sees anyone 13 and older without parental consent.

Under 28 Pa. Code 27.21a, laboratory-confirmed chlamydia, gonococcal infections, syphilis and HIV are reportable to the health department within 5 work days. This is a routine public health process. It allows follow-up care and partner services.

If a test finds an infection

A positive result is a medical finding, not a judgment. Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are treatable or manageable. Your clinician will explain the options and any follow-up testing.

Telling partners can feel hard. The CDC says that in many cases a clinician may be able to prescribe treatment for a partner without examining them, a practice called expedited partner therapy. The CDC lists Pennsylvania's laws on this in 35 P.S. 603 and 604. Ask your clinician whether it applies to your infection. Health department staff can also help with partner notification.

Cost and insurance

ACHD lists its Sexual Health Clinic services as free. Other clinics above list sliding-scale fees or accept insurance, but most do not publish prices. Ask the clinic about cost when you call.

For insured Pennsylvanians, the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes that the Affordable Care Act requires HIV PrEP coverage with no cost-sharing.

A simple plan

Decide whether you have symptoms, a recent exposure or are due for routine screening.
Pick a clinic from the list above and call to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
Bring photo ID if you want to receive results from the ACHD clinic.
Ask which tests are being done and how you will get results.
Follow up on any treatment and testing your clinician recommends.

Getting tested is a normal, caring step for your health and for the people you are close to.

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