STDs and Pregnancy

Welcome back to the PPS blog! Though this month’s topic may be a bit taboo to some and bring with it flashbacks of high-school health class, we want to address it today because of its importance and relevance to your health and wellbeing. Without further ado, let's talk about STDs in pregnancy.

We'll start with the basics.

What is an STD?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) develop from some form of sexually transmitted infection (STI). According to the CDC, an STI is any agent, such as a bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite, that someone can get infected with from sexual contact ₍₄₎. When an STI leads to symptoms of disease, we use the term STD. For the purposes of our discussion, STI and STD may be used interchangeably.

STIs are not just a concern for people having vaginal intercourse. STIs can be passed from one person to another via vaginal, oral, or anal sex, as well as genital skin-to-skin contact. To name just a few: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV, and HPV can all be transmitted via both vaginal and oral sex ₍₂₎.

How do I know if I have an STD?

Some STIs present with symptoms right away, whereas others may remain dormant (not presenting any symptoms) for years ₍₁₎.

Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For:

• A change in vaginal/genital discharge, especially if it is green or yellow in color or has an odor
• Burning when peeing
• Bleeding in between periods
• Development of genital sores

Any of these symptoms warrant further medical work up/STD testing ₍₆₎. Remember, however, that many STIs/STDs do not present with any symptoms immediately and can only be identified and diagnosed via STD testing.

Annual STD testing is recommended for anyone who is sexually active. Additional STD testing may be recommended if you have certain risk factors, including having new sexual partners, multiple partners, or a partner who has a known STI/STD. STD testing is also recommended in pregnancy ₍₃₎.

Can I get an STD while pregnant?

Yes. Pregnancy does not provide any protection or immunity against sexually transmitted infections/diseases. Part of your prenatal care should include STD testing, as STDs can affect both you and a baby in your womb ₍₁₎.

What risks do STDs pose to me? What about my baby?

Some STDs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system, as well as increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) ₍₉₎,  infertility and ectopic pregnancy if they go undiagnosed and untreated ₍₅₎.  

Many STDs, such as syphilis or herpes, can be passed from mother to baby in utero or during birth and pose serious risks to the health of your baby, in addition to your own. When this happens the disease is often called “congenital.” Having certain STDs can increase the likelihood of a baby being born too early or having a low birthweight. This means your baby may be more likely to struggle with things like breathing on their own at birth or with feeding and digesting properly. STDs also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death ₍₇₎.

Some STDs require antibiotic treatments and others may require antiviral prescriptions or other medication. Some STIs can be treated during pregnancy if the medication is not deemed dangerous to the development of the baby ₍₁₎.

How does an STD affect me if I am thinking about having an abortion?

 If you are considering abortion, it is still of vital importance to get tested for STDs (and treated if needed) prior to having the abortion. Women who have sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, even if they are asymptomatic, prior to an abortion are at increased risk for developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID, following their abortion ₍₁₀₎. This is because during an abortion procedure there is a risk of spreading an STD to other parts of the body. Testing and treatment decreases the risk of an STI spreading to other parts of the body during an abortion procedure and causing PID _{(8) (10)}.

How can I lower my risk of getting an STD?

The only way to completely prevent STI/STD exposure is by abstaining from all forms of sex or sexual/genital contact. You can reduce your risk of contracting an STD by reducing your number of sex partners, being in a mutually monogamous relationship (both partners only have sex with each other) with a partner who has been tested and does not have an STI, and you and your partner both getting tested regularly for STDs and sharing your results ₍₄₎.  

Think you may have an STD or are concerned about getting one? Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your sexual history and STD testing. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs or do not have a regular provider who you see, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing. We would be happy to refer you to these should you need them! You can reach out to us today at 770-222-6911, or here, for further information.

*The information contained in this blog is for educational and informative purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and care of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.*

Sources:
(1) About STIs and Pregnancy | STI | CDC
(2) About STI Risk and Oral Sex | STI | CDC
(3) Getting Tested for STIs | STI | CDC
(4) How to Prevent STIs | STI | CDC
(5) About Chlamydia | Chlamydia | CDC
(6) About Genital Herpes | Genital Herpes | CDC
(7) ProtectYourBaby.pdf (cdc.gov)
(8) PID Information 
(9) Pelvic inflammatory disease | Office on Women's Health
(10)Significance of cervical chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease - PubMed