STI Test While Planning a Pregnancy: Is It a Must?

For many couples, planning a pregnancy is an exciting time. People often focus on taking folic acid, eating healthier, stopping smoking, and tracking ovulation. Yet one important step is frequently overlooked: testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Do you really need an STI test if you feel perfectly healthy? In many cases, the answer is yes.

The reality is that many common STIs cause no symptoms at all. You or your partner could be carrying an infection without knowing it, and some infections can affect fertility, pregnancy, and even the health of your future baby.

Why get tested before trying to conceive?

The aim isn’t to judge anyone’s sexual history. It’s simply good preventive healthcare.

Many STIs remain silent for months or even years. During that time, they may continue to damage the reproductive system or be passed to a partner.

Knowing your STI status before pregnancy allows treatment, if needed, before conception. This is often much easier than discovering an infection during pregnancy.

Which STIs matter?

Several infections deserve particular attention.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is Australia’s most commonly reported bacterial STI.

Most women and many men experience no symptoms whatsoever.

Untreated chlamydia can cause:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Scarring of the fallopian tubes
• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Chronic pelvic pain

Fortunately, chlamydia is usually cured with antibiotics when detected early.

Gonorrhoea

Like chlamydia, gonorrhoea may produce few or no symptoms.

If left untreated, it can:

• Reduce fertility
• Cause pelvic inflammatory disease
• Increase the risk of pregnancy complications
• Be transmitted to the baby during birth

Again, early diagnosis makes treatment straightforward in most cases.

Syphilis

Syphilis has become increasingly common in Australia over recent years.

Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can lead to:

• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Serious illness in newborn babies

Because treatment is highly effective, identifying the infection before pregnancy is one of the best ways to prevent these complications.

HIV

Modern HIV treatment has transformed outcomes.

People living with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, but early diagnosis is essential so treatment can begin before or during pregnancy.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

These viral infections may also affect pregnancy planning.

Knowing your status helps doctors recommend vaccination, treatment, or monitoring where appropriate.

Can STIs affect male fertility?

Absolutely.

While discussions often focus on women’s health, untreated infections may also affect men by:

• Reducing sperm quality
• Causing inflammation of the reproductive tract
• Leading to epididymitis (infection of the tube behind the testicle)
• Contributing to fertility problems

When couples experience difficulty conceiving, both partners should be considered.

What if neither of us has symptoms?

This is perhaps the biggest misconception.

Many people assume:

“If I don’t have symptoms, I don’t have an STI.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t true.

Infections such as chlamydia are often called silent infections because they commonly produce no noticeable symptoms while still causing damage.

That’s why routine screening is recommended for many sexually active adults, particularly before pregnancy.

Who should consider testing?

An STI check is particularly worthwhile if you or your partner:

• Have never previously been tested
• Have had a new sexual partner
• Have had multiple partners in the past
• Are unsure of previous testing
• Have previously had an STI
• Are starting a new relationship before trying for a baby
• Are experiencing fertility difficulties

Even couples in long-term, committed relationships may never have been screened.

What does testing involve?

Modern STI testing is quick and simple.

Depending on your circumstances, testing may include:

• Urine samples
• Self-collected swabs
• Blood tests
• Occasionally clinician-collected swabs

Many tests are completed without a physical examination.

Results are usually available within several days.

Should both partners be tested?

Ideally, yes.

Pregnancy involves two people.

Testing both partners helps ensure:

• Any infections are identified
• Both receive treatment if needed
• Reinfection is avoided
• Pregnancy begins with the best possible health

If one partner is treated while the other remains infected, the infection can simply be passed back again.

What happens if something is found?

Finding out you have an STI can be worrying, but it’s important to remember that many infections are completely treatable.

For bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, antibiotics are usually highly effective.

After treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend repeat testing to confirm the infection has cleared before attempting pregnancy.

The earlier an infection is detected, the lower the chance of long-term complications.

The bottom line

Planning a pregnancy is one of the best times to think about your overall health.

An STI test is a simple step that can protect your fertility, reduce pregnancy complications, and give your future baby the healthiest possible start.

Even if you feel completely well, screening may identify infections that would otherwise remain hidden.

Like checking vaccinations, reviewing medications, or starting folic acid, an STI check should be considered part of routine pre-pregnancy care rather than something to be embarrassed about.

If you’re planning to start a family, speaking with your GP or arranging a confidential STI screening is a small investment that may make a significant difference to your reproductive health and peace of mind.

Reference:

RACGP, The sexually transmitted infection ‘check up’. https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/f3ccedd7-f15d-4abf-8e35-bf9afdfc12db/attachment.aspx

DOKTA Telehealth. Fast, Confidential Online STD & STI Checks Australia-Wide. https://dokta.com.au/std-check/