Young woman asking her healthcare provider when they test for STDs during pregnancy

When Do They Test for STDs During Pregnancy?

Written on December 19, 2023 by Jillian Foglesong Stabile, MD. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Table of contents

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life. Your body is experiencing a lot of changes, and it can be difficult to keep up with everything. You’re growing a new human! You likely have many questions about what to expect during this time. You may be wondering, "what types of tests are done in pregnancy?" or "when do they test for STDs during pregnancy?"

Get STD treatment online

Can You Get An STD While Pregnant?

Yes, you can. Pregnant women are susceptible to the same sexually transmitted infections as women who aren’t pregnant.[1] The ramifications of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) during pregnancy can be more serious than in non-pregnant women. In some cases, your baby can be affected by the infection.

How Do STDs Affect You When Pregnant?

Sexually transmitted diseases can be serious and affect both you and your unborn baby. Some infections, such as HIV, can be transmitted and infect your baby, while others can cause complications such as preterm labor. The earlier STDs are detected, the sooner they can be treated, and the less likely they are to cause problems in your pregnancy.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It can affect fertility and can lead to an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus).[2] Chlamydia can cause vaginal discharge, pain with urination, and pelvic pain. Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all.

In pregnancy, you should be tested for chlamydia at your first prenatal visit and again in the third trimester if you have one of the following risk factors [3]:

  • New or multiple sex partners
  • A sex partner with multiple partners
  • A sex partner who has been diagnosed with STDs
  • A diagnosis of chlamydia during pregnancy

If you are diagnosed with chlamydia during pregnancy, you should be retested to make sure the infection is cured three to four weeks after you’ve been treated and then retested again within three months.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is another common sexually transmitted infection. Gonorrhea is most common in people aged 15-24.[4] Gonorrhea may be asymptomatic or may cause vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, or pain with urination. Gonorrhea may also cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Gonorrhea is easily treated with antibiotics, and early treatment decreases the risk of complications from infection. Gonorrhea can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, or infections of the amniotic fluid during pregnancy.[3]

During pregnancy, you should be tested at your first prenatal visit and again in the third trimester if you have one of the following factors that make you high risk [3]:

  • Living in an area with high rates of gonorrhea
  • A previous infection or diagnosis with another STD
  • New or multiple sex partners
  • A sex partner who has other partners or who has had an STD
  • Inconsistent condom use
  • Exchanging drugs or sex for money

Everlywell STD testing CTA graphic

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted. It is one of the TORCH infections that are associated with significant congenital problems during pregnancy.[5] There has been a significant increase in cases of syphilis transmitted to babies during pregnancy in the United States over the past several years. Syphilis can cause premature birth, stillbirth, and neonatal death. It is also associated with problems in the brain, eyes, ears, heart, skin, teeth, and bones of infants.[3]

When you are pregnant, you should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit. You should also be tested at 28 weeks of pregnancy and again at delivery if you are at an increased risk for the condition. High risk factors include [3]:

  • Drug use
  • History of STD during pregnancy
  • New or multiple sex partners
  • Partner with an STD
  • Living in an area with high syphilis cases
  • Not previously tested

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy. People with hepatitis B are at an increased risk of liver failure and liver cancer. Hepatitis B status is generally checked with the initial prenatal labs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a viral infection that affects the immune system. HIV can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. It is typically tested with the initial prenatal labs and should be retested in high-risk individuals in the third trimester and at delivery. High-risk individuals include women who [6]:

  • Are receiving care in a facility with an HIV incidence of at least 1 per 1,000 pregnant women per year
  • Are incarcerated
  • Live in an area with a high incidence of HIV
  • Have signs or symptoms of HIV infection
  • Work in healthcare
  • Use IV drugs or have partners that use IV drugs
  • Exchange sex for money or drugs
  • Have new or multiple sex partners
  • Have sex partners with an STD or HIV

Herpes Simplex Virus

There are 2 forms of Herpes simplex which can affect the genital tract or cause mouth sores. These are called Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). If you have a history of HSV infection, specifically genital herpes infection, you should be treated with medication to prevent an outbreak, starting at 35 weeks. Routine testing for HSV infection is not recommended in people without symptoms, including pregnant women.[7]

Sexual Healthcare with Everlywell

STDs are serious and can have a long-term impact on your health. If untreated, STDs can be life-threatening. STDs in pregnancy can affect both you and your baby. Take charge of your sexual health. If you are concerned about STDs, Everlywell has at-home lab tests to evaluate for STDs. We also have clinicians who can provide telehealth visits to discuss your situation and give you advice on how to protect yourself.

Book STD telehealth appointment

Can You Be Born With STDs?

What Are Signs of STDs In Your Mouth?

Does A Pap Smear Test For STDs?

References

  1. STDs during Pregnancy – CDC Basic Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy.htm. Published April 12, 2022. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  2. Chlamydia – CDC Basic Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm. Published April 12, 2022. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  3. STDs during Pregnancy – CDC Detailed Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy-detailed.htm. Published April 11, 2023. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  4. Gonorrhea – CDC Detailed Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea-detailed.htm. Published April 11, 2023. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  5. Jaan A, Rajnik M. TORCH Complex. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 17, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32809363/. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  6. Prenatal and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/09/prenatal-and-perinatal-human-immunodeficiency-virus-testing. Published September 2018. Accessed December 5, 2023.
  7. Serological Screening for Genital Herpes: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK409119/. Published December 2016. Accessed December 5, 2023.

Jillian Foglesong Stabile, MD, FAAFP is a board-certified Family Physician. Since completing her residency training in 2010, she’s been practicing full-scope family medicine in a rural setting. Dr. Foglesong Stabile’s practice includes caring for patients of all ages for preventative care as well as chronic disease management. She also provides prenatal care and delivers babies. Dr. Foglesong Stabile completed a teaching fellowship in 2020 and teaches the family medicine clerkship for one of her local medical schools. Dr. Foglesong Stabile’s favorite thing about family medicine is the variety of patients she sees in her clinical practice.

Everlywell makes lab testing easy and convenient with at-home collection and digital results in days. Learn More