Which STI presents with painful urination and may have no symptoms in females?

• A. Chlamydia
• B. Herpes
• C. Gonorrhea
• D. Syphilis

Answer: (C)

Painful urination comes from inflammation of the urethra caused by gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhoeae infects mucosal surfaces of the genitourinary tract, leading to dysuria. In women, the infection can be present without noticeable symptoms or only mild signs, so someone may have gonorrhea without obvious problems. That combination—dysuria as a presenting symptom with the possibility of no symptoms in females—best fits this STI.

Herpes would more commonly cause painful genital ulcers or vesicles; syphilis primary presents with a painless sore; chlamydia in women is often asymptomatic or presents with discharge rather than specifically painful urination.