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 women who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) notice nothing at all. Others notice a change in discharge, a burning feeling, or pelvic pain, and wonder whether it could be an STI. Both situations are common, and both are worth understanding.

This guide covers the symptoms of STDs in females, why symptoms are an unreliable guide, which signs call for a visit with a clinician, and how an STD test for women works. It ends with where to find free and low-cost testing in Orlando. It is written for every woman, including transgender women, and for anyone with a vagina who wants clear information.

We use the terms STI and STD interchangeably. Facts come from the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the Florida Department of Health.

Key takeaways

The CDC says many STIs cause no symptoms, or symptoms so mild they are easy to miss. A test is how a clinician finds out.
Unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods, sores and itching are all reasons to see a clinician. Many of them also have causes that are not STIs.
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, pelvic pain with fever, or pelvic pain during pregnancy calls for same-day care.
In Orlando, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County runs a walk-in STD clinic with fees that start at $20. Several other clinics offer free or sliding-scale testing.

Why many STIs cause no symptoms
Symptoms of STDs in women, infection by infection
Signs that call for testing, and when to be seen the same day
Pelvic inflammatory disease, fertility and pregnancy
When to get an STD test for women
Where to get tested in Orlando
What happens after a test
Sources

Why many STIs cause no symptoms

The CDC states that many STIs have no symptoms or only mild ones. This is true for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes, HPV and the early stage of HIV.

That is why symptoms alone cannot sort one person from another. A woman with no symptoms may have an infection. A woman with itching or discharge may have a cause that is not sexually transmitted at all.

Symptoms that overlap with other conditions

Several common conditions can look like an STI. Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, skin irritation from soap or shaving, and hormone changes can all cause discharge, itching, odor or burning. A clinician can tell these apart with an exam and the right tests.

So a change in your body is a good reason to be seen. It is not proof of any one cause.

Why this matters for women

An infection in the female reproductive tract can move upward without any warning. The CDC notes that untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Because the early stage is often silent, the CDC and USPSTF recommend screening for some groups before any symptom appears. The screening section below covers who that includes.

Anatomy and gender identity

This guide describes symptoms for people with a vagina, cervix and uterus. Transgender women may have different anatomy, depending on surgery and hormone history. If you have a neovagina, a prostate or a penis, symptoms and test sites can differ. Tell the clinician about your body in your own words. They can choose swabs, urine or blood tests to match.

Symptoms of STDs in women, infection by infection

The list below follows the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. Every symptom here can also come from something else, and every infection here can occur without any symptom.

Chlamydia

The CDC says most women with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include unusual vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, and bleeding between periods or after sex. Chlamydia can also affect the throat and rectum, often without symptoms.

Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea also often causes no symptoms in women. Possible signs include increased or changed discharge, burning with urination, and bleeding between periods. Infections in the throat or rectum can also be silent.

Gonorrhea is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC updates its treatment advice as the bacteria change, so the right medicine is a decision for a clinician.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite. The CDC reports that many people with it have no symptoms. Women who do have symptoms may notice itching, a change in discharge or odor, and discomfort with urination or sex.

It is curable with treatment from a clinician. Partners are usually treated at the same time so the infection does not pass back and forth.

Syphilis

Syphilis moves through stages. The first sign is often a single painless sore. It can appear inside the vagina or on the cervix, where it is easy to miss. A later stage can bring a rash, often on the palms and soles, along with fever, swollen glands or patchy hair loss.

The sore and the rash can fade on their own, which does not mean the infection has gone. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician, and it is easier to treat when found earlier.

Genital herpes

Herpes can cause painful blisters or sores, itching or tingling, and pain with urination. Many people with herpes have very mild symptoms or none, and may never know. The first outbreak is often the most noticeable, and later outbreaks tend to be milder.

Herpes is not curable. It is manageable, and a clinician can prescribe medicine that reduces outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing it on.

HPV

Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear on their own, according to the CDC. Some types cause genital warts, which are small bumps or patches of skin. Other types can cause cell changes on the cervix, which are found by cervical cancer screening rather than by symptoms.

HPV itself is not curable, but warts and cervical changes can be treated. The HPV vaccine helps protect against the types that most often cause problems.

HIV

Some people have a flu-like illness within a few weeks of HIV infection, with fever, sore throat, rash or swollen glands. Many have no symptoms at all. Only a test can show whether HIV is present.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC says that people with HIV who take treatment and keep the virus at an undetectable level do not pass HIV to partners through sex.

Hepatitis B and C

These viruses mostly affect the liver and are often silent for years. Both can be spread sexually, though they also spread in other ways. Ask a clinician whether testing fits your situation.

Signs that call for testing, and when to be seen the same day

You do not need to match a checklist to ask for a test. Still, some changes are good reasons to book a visit soon.

Reasons to arrange a visit this week

Vaginal discharge that is new or different in color, amount or smell.
Burning or pain when you urinate.
Bleeding between periods, or bleeding after sex.
Pain or discomfort during sex.
Itching, redness or irritation in the genital area.
A sore, blister, bump or patch of skin that is new.
Lower belly or pelvic aching that does not go away.
A partner who has told you they have an STI or have symptoms.

A clinician can examine you, test for infections, and also look for non-STI causes. Waiting for a symptom to go away on its own can delay care if an infection is involved.

Signs that call for same-day care

Go to an urgent care center or emergency room the same day for any of these:

Severe pain in the lower belly or pelvis.
Pelvic or lower belly pain together with fever or chills.
Pelvic pain with vomiting, or pain so strong you cannot stand up straight.
Pelvic pain, bleeding or fainting while you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
Heavy vaginal bleeding or a very foul-smelling discharge with fever.

These signs can come from several conditions, including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy, and some need prompt treatment. Call 911 if you feel faint, confused or very ill.

After a possible exposure to HIV

If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last few days, ask about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) right away. Miracle of Love's Test and Treat program in Orlando says PEP must start within 72 hours of exposure. A clinician prescribes it. Miracle of Love, Hope & Help and other clinics listed below offer access to PEP or can point you to it.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, fertility and pregnancy

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. The CDC says it often follows untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, though other bacteria can also be involved.

What PID can feel like

Some women have no symptoms. Others have lower belly pain, fever, unusual discharge, pain during sex, pain when urinating, or bleeding between periods. If you notice these, see a clinician promptly. Do not wait for a better day.

How PID relates to fertility

The CDC states that PID can cause scarring in the reproductive organs. That scarring can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and difficulty becoming pregnant.

Not everyone who has chlamydia or gonorrhea develops PID, and not everyone with PID has fertility problems. The CDC says that treating PID early lowers the chance of lasting damage. That is one reason screening is recommended even when you feel fine. Finding and treating a bacterial infection early is the most direct way to protect your reproductive health.

Pregnancy and testing

STIs can affect a pregnancy and a newborn, and many can be treated safely during pregnancy by a clinician. Florida has specific testing rules for prenatal care. Under Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.042, practitioners providing prenatal care must test for sexually transmissible diseases at the initial examination and again at 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Florida Statute 384.31 adds that a pregnant woman may refuse by signed written objection. If you are pregnant or planning to be, ask your prenatal provider which tests are included.

When to get an STD test for women

An STD test for women is recommended on a schedule for some groups, and when symptoms or a new exposure come up for everyone else.

Routine screening guidance

Chlamydia and gonorrhea: The CDC and USPSTF recommend screening for sexually active women under 25, and for older women who have risk factors such as a new partner or a partner with an STI.
HIV: The CDC recommends that everyone from 13 to 64 be tested at least once. The USPSTF recommends screening for ages 15 to 65. More frequent testing is advised if your risk is higher.
Syphilis: The USPSTF recommends screening for people at increased risk, and for all pregnant women.
Hepatitis C: The CDC recommends that adults be screened at least once, and that pregnant women be screened during each pregnancy.
Cervical cancer screening: The USPSTF recommends regular screening from age 21 to 65 with a Pap test, an HPV test, or both, depending on age. This screening looks for cervical cell changes, and it is not a general STI panel.

Herpes is not part of routine screening for people without symptoms in CDC guidance. If you have a sore or blister, a clinician can test the sore itself.

Window periods

A window period is the time after an exposure before a test can reliably detect an infection. For HIV, the CDC gives these ranges:

A nucleic acid test (NAT) can detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure.
An antigen/antibody lab test on a blood draw can detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure.
An antigen/antibody rapid test from a finger prick can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure.

For other infections, window periods differ by test. Ask the clinician when to test after a recent exposure and whether a repeat test is useful. A test that is done too early can miss an infection, so timing matters.

Doxy-PEP and PrEP

In 2024 the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex (doxy-PEP) to lower the chance of some bacterial STIs. The guidance focuses on men who have sex with men and transgender women who had a bacterial STI in the past year. Transgender women can ask a clinician whether it applies to them.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is also prescribed by a clinician. The Florida Department of Health Area 7 offers a PrEP and PEP locator, linked from the Orange County HIV/AIDS Program page. Miracle of Love and Hope & Help both list access to PrEP.

Where to get tested in Orlando

Orlando has several options for free and low-cost testing. For a full list with costs and a closer look at each place, see our guide to STD testing in Orlando and what it costs, or go straight to the local testing list. The CDC also runs a searchable directory at gettested.cdc.gov.

Hours and policies change. Call before you go.

How common are STIs in Orange County?

FLHealthCHARTS, from the Florida Department of Health, reports these 2025 rates for Orange County. The county figure is the closest published local number, and it covers more than the city of Orlando.

Infection	Orange County, 2025	Florida, 2025
Chlamydia	516.7 per 100,000 (7,937 cases)	410.8 per 100,000
Gonorrhea	193.7 per 100,000 (2,975 cases)	156.5 per 100,000
Primary and secondary syphilis	9.3 per 100,000 (143 cases)	12.4 per 100,000
New HIV diagnoses	25.1 per 100,000 (385 diagnoses)	15.0 per 100,000

A rate describes a community, not any one person. These numbers are a reason testing is a routine part of care here.

Florida Department of Health in Orange County STD Clinic

The county clinic is at the Central Health Center, Building 1, 832 West Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805. The phone is 407-858-1400.

The county STD page says the clinic is walk-in, first come, first served. Bring a picture ID.
The page lists hours of Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed 12 to 1 p.m. for lunch. Other county pages show different hours, so call to confirm.
The county describes low- or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Clinic fees range from $20 and up, with a sliding scale based on an eligibility screening. The clinic accepts cash, card, Medicaid and Medicare.
Results take about one week, given in person or by coded text with signed consent.
The CDC GetTested listing for this site also lists rapid HIV testing, hepatitis B and C tests, HPV vaccine and PrEP navigation.

Lila Mitchell Health Center (Florida Department of Health in Orange County)

This health center is at 5151 Raleigh St, Ste B, Orlando, FL 32811, phone (407) 723-5004. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing on a sliding scale, accepts insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and says an appointment is required. The listing does not give hours, so call first.

The Center Orlando

The Center Orlando, an LGBTQ+ community center, is at 942 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Its testing page says all sexual health testing is walk-in only. HIV and hepatitis C tests are listed at $0. Syphilis is listed at $15, chlamydia and gonorrhea at $50, and a bundle of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea at $55. The center lists testing hours most days, with Saturday closed, so check its testing page for the current schedule. The page does not list a phone number.

Miracle of Love

Miracle of Love is an HIV nonprofit. Its executive office is at 1301 W Colonial Dr, Ste 201, Orlando, FL 32804, phone (407) 843-1760. Its locations page lists HIV and STI screenings Monday to Thursday and Friday morning. CDC GetTested lists free HIV and STI tests and says an appointment is required.

Miracle of Love's Test and Treat page says it does not perform swabs for gonorrhea or chlamydia and points those tests to the Department of Health. A second site, Stafford House at 711 Seminole Ave, phone (407) 532-0070, also lists HIV and STI screenings. Its price is not published, so ask when you call.

Orange Blossom Family Health

This federally qualified health center is at 232 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32805, phone 407-428-5751. CDC GetTested lists rapid HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis tests, a sliding fee scale, and an appointment requirement. The clinic's own website says no patient will be turned away because of an inability to pay. That site lists HIV testing as free but does not mention other STD testing, so confirm by phone.

AHF Healthcare Center, Orlando

AIDS Healthcare Foundation opened a site at 707 E. Colonial Drive in 2025. Its release describes free STD and STI prevention and treatment services and access to PrEP, with onsite labs, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A phone number and walk-in policy were not published in the release, so check with AHF before you go.

Hope & Help Center of Central Florida

Hope & Help is in Winter Park, at 4122 Metric Dr, #800, Winter Park, FL 32792, phone (407) 645-2577. It serves the Orlando area from just outside city limits. Its testing page lists HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis C and HPV tests, says testing is free, and says no appointment is necessary. Testing runs Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The page also mentions insurance and income-based self-pay options. Because some test descriptions on the page contain errors, confirm exactly which tests you want by phone.

Planned Parenthood East Orlando Health Center

The CDC National Prevention Information Network lists a health center at 11500 University Blvd, Ste B, Orlando, FL 32817, phone 407-246-1788, with chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, rapid HIV and syphilis tests and an appointment requirement. Current hours and services were not confirmed, so verify with the center before you go.

Free at-home HIV test kit

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County HIV/AIDS Program page offers a free at-home HIV test kit order at knowyourhivstatus.com. The page does not state who is eligible, so check the details on that site or call the county.

Privacy and age

Under Florida Statute 384.30, a parent or guardian's consent is not required for a minor's examination or treatment for a sexually transmissible disease. The statute also says the fact of a minor's visit is confidential and may not be disclosed, for example by sending a bill to a parent. It states no minimum age.

What happens after a test

What the visit involves

A clinician or staff member asks about your symptoms, partners and health history. Questions are routine, and you can answer in your own words. Testing may involve a urine sample, a vaginal swab you can often collect yourself, a throat or rectal swab if relevant, and a blood draw or finger prick. A pelvic exam is not always needed.

Getting results

Timing depends on the clinic. The county clinic says results take about one week. Rapid HIV tests give results during the visit. Ask how you will be contacted and whether you need to sign a consent form for text messages.

If a test is positive

A positive result is not a judgment. It is information that lets a clinician help you.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. Take it as prescribed and ask when it is safe to have sex again.
Herpes and HIV are not curable, but both are treatable and manageable with a clinician's care.
HPV has no cure for the virus, though related warts and cervical changes can be treated.

Telling partners

Partners need testing and often treatment too. The CDC describes expedited partner therapy, in which a clinician may provide treatment for a partner without an exam first. Florida Statute 384.27, per the CDC's page on Florida's legal status, allows this when the patient has a laboratory-confirmed or suspected diagnosis, has a partner, and the partner is unable or unlikely to seek care in a timely manner. A clinician decides whether it applies.

Reporting

Under Florida Statute 381.0031 and Rule 64D-3.029, clinicians and laboratories report chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV to the Department of Health. This is routine public health work.

Next steps

Pick a clinic from the list above and call to confirm hours and what to bring.
Tell the clinician about any symptoms, even small ones, and about any recent exposure.
Ask about vaccines, including HPV and hepatitis, and about PrEP if relevant.
Ask when to test again.

Testing is a normal part of health care, like a blood pressure check. Orlando has free and low-cost places to do it.

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