STDs While Pregnant

Many pregnant women still enjoy sex and sexual activities throughout their pregnancy. Nevertheless, unprotected sex during pregnancy can result in sexually transmitted diseases, especially if multiple partners are involved. Sexually transmitted diseases can be quite harmful to pregnant mothers and their babies when left untreated.

Key Takeaways

• You can have sex when pregnant.
• With proper treatment and open communication with your sexual partners, it’s entirely possible to have a healthy, happy pregnancy and fulfilling sex life despite a positive STI test.
• Sexually transmitted infections are extremely common, affecting millions of people in the United States every day.
• Certain STIs can be passed to a baby during childbirth, and it’s extremely important to seek immediate treatment for an STI while pregnant to reduce the risk of harming the child.

What is an STD?

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an infection that spreads contact with bodily fluids like blood, saliva, and genital fluids during sex. STDs can also be passed down from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth as well as through blood transfusions or shared needles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are approximately 68 million active STDs in America alone at any given time, most of them being bacterial STDS. Bacterial STDs can be treated with antibiotics, but viral STDs have no cure. 

How Are STDs Diagnosed While Pregnant?

Sexually active pregnant people should regularly be tested to prevent any complications that may arise during pregnancy and childbirth. A blood or urine sample is taken to check if there are any risks to the mother and baby. Additionally, before and during an IVF cycle, a fertility clinic will also test for STDs. 

According to global treatment guidelines, pregnant women must be screened for:

• HIV
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B
• Gonorrhea
• HPV
• Chlamydia

These tests should be regularly done, even if your doctor doesn't request them, especially if:

• Having unprotected sex. 
• Having sexual contact with many partners. 
• A history of STDs. 
• Misuse of alcohol or recreational drugs, especially injected drugs.

STDs Pregnant People Should Watch Out For

According to the WHO,  STDs can either be bacterial or viral. Different STDs have specific symptoms, and in some cases, the symptoms only appear once the infection has already spread. Let’s look at the most common STDs.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that first appears as a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth, and then it spreads after contact with the sores. Syphilis can be passed from mother to baby. It can also stay in the body for many years without showing any symptoms. However, the STD gets worse without treatment and can end up damaging the heart, brain, or other organs.

Symptoms of Syphilis can include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Rash anywhere on the body, typically without any itching
• Weight loss
• Sudden baldness
• Headaches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Gonorrhea

Also known as The Clap, Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that also rarely shows symptoms, particularly in women. 

People with the disease can present with: 

• Itching around the anus
• Pain during bowel movements
• Cloudy or bloody discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus
• Heavy bleeding during or between periods
• Pain or burning feeling during urination

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common bacterial STD that can be asymptomatic in many pregnant people. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to your reproductive organs. Symptoms of this STD include:

• Fever
• Discharge from the penis or vagina
• Pain or burning sensation during urination
• Abdominal or lower back pain
• Pain in the vagina, testicles or rectum

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, or trich, is an STD caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms can include:

• Itching, burning, or soreness of the genitals
• Pain or burning when peeing or ejaculating
• Smelly (clear, white, gray, yellow, or green) vaginal discharge
• Discomfort during sex
• Swelling in the groin
• Frequent urination

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a viral infection that comes in three main types -A, B, and C. The STD can be asymptomatic, but if left untreated, it can cause complications such as damage to your liver. 

Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Dark urine or clay-colored stool
• Jaundice or yellow skin
• Pain near the liver, under the ribs on the right side of the body

Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), or herpes, is a common infection that spreads via skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable. There are two types of herpes simplex virus.

• Type 1 (HSV-1): This mostly spreads by oral contact and results in infections of the mouth presenting as oral herpes or cold sores. 
• Type 2 (HSV-2). This type spreads through sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

Symptoms include:

• Painful, recurring blisters or ulcers.
• Fever
• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Tingling, itching, or burning near the sores. 
• Sore throat (oral herpes)
• Headaches

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks white blood cells, especially the CD4 cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex or through sharing injection drug equipment.

If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

• Fever, headache and sore throat
• Chills and night sweats
• Rashes or ulcers on the mouth
• Fatigue

HPV

HPV or human papillomavirus, is a viral infection that commonly presents with growths or warts. Some types of human papillomavirus infection can cause different types of cancer, like cervical cancer, Cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and back of the throat (oropharyngeal), which have been linked to HPV infection. Symptoms include:

• Small warts on or around the genitals, sometimes with a cauliflower appearance
• Itching and discomfort in the pelvic region
• Bleeding during sex

Vaccines can help protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

Can I Pass The STD to the Baby?

Yes, STDs can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth, increasing the risk of birth defects or congenital disabilities. For this reason, it’s important to regularly screen for STDs during prenatal visits. If you get one, go for treatment immediately. 

In HIV cases, the National Institute of Health states that the right antiviral medication during pregnancy can reduce the risk of passing HIV to the child. Women with active genital herpes lesions may require a cesarean section during delivery to avoid infecting the newborn.

The Bottom Line

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are common. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 20% of adults in the United States have a sexually transmitted disease. As a pregnant person, it’s important to protect yourself and your baby, especially when engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners. If you suspect you may have an STD, consult your doctor immediately. Untreated STDs can have extremely negative effects on both you and the baby.