An STI check fits well with trying to conceive. Some STIs, such as chlamydia, can affect fertility or a later pregnancy if left untreated. By getting checked beforehand, together with your partner, you know where you stand before you start. It is a calm moment to do it, without the time pressure of an ongoing pregnancy.
I think this is one of the most underrated moments to test. Precisely when nothing seems wrong, a check brings the most peace of mind.
Why test for STIs when trying to conceive?
An STI often causes no symptoms, while an infection can still affect your fertility or a pregnancy. Testing beforehand gives clarity and, if something is found, the room to handle it calmly. According to the RIVM, chlamydia in particular often runs without symptoms.
On top of that, an STI does not stick to your planning. An infection you pick up now travels with you, unnoticed, through the whole journey if you do not test. A check beforehand removes that uncertainty, before there is even a pregnancy to factor in.
| STI | Possible impact around conceiving or pregnancy |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Can damage the fallopian tubes if untreated, sometimes linked to reduced fertility |
| Gonorrhoea | Similar risk of pelvic inflammatory disease |
| HIV | Good to know beforehand, with a view to care and transmission |
| Syphilis | A risk to the baby if untreated; also tested during pregnancy |
This table is a guide, not a prescription. How large a risk is per person varies a great deal; your GP or the GGD can think along with you.
Which STIs affect fertility?
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in particular can, if left untreated, spread up to the womb and fallopian tubes. That can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which sometimes has consequences for fertility.
A review by Haggerty and colleagues (Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2010) describes that some women can experience reduced fertility after such inflammation. How large that risk is varies per person and per situation.
More about chlamydia in women is in STI test for women: which tests and when.
Which test do you do before trying to conceive?
For a check beforehand a broad test makes sense: chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and depending on your situation HIV and syphilis. Which combination fits depends on your risk and any symptoms. If in doubt, start with our guide which STI test do you need, and when?.
With us you can do the anonymous viral infections package or a single chlamydia test. If you are pregnant later, the standard screening for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B runs through your midwife; that is explained in STI testing during pregnancy.
Should both partners get tested?
Often that is wise. If only one of you tests, you can reinfect each other and an infection keeps going round. Testing together gives a complete picture and avoids that ping-pong.
Testing together feels nerve-racking for some couples, but it simply belongs to a new step. See it as part of the preparation, like quitting smoking or starting folic acid. A short test now can save a lot of back-and-forth later.
Frequently asked questions about STIs and trying to conceive
Should I test if I have no symptoms? When trying to conceive that can be useful, precisely because STIs such as chlamydia often cause no symptoms. A check beforehand gives clarity without time pressure.
Does every STI affect fertility? No. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea in particular are linked to pelvic inflammatory disease. Many other STIs have a different course.
How long before a pregnancy is it best to test? There is no fixed rule. Many couples do a check as soon as they decide to stop contraception; discuss the timing with your GP if you wish.
What if I had an STI in the past? That is good to know and to discuss with your GP. Sometimes there is extra attention then, for example if there has been inflammation.
Does an STI test change anything about a fertility work-up? Not directly, but it gives your doctor context. If there has ever been pelvic inflammatory disease, that can be a piece of the puzzle that helps the wider picture.
Can I arrange this anonymously? Yes. With us you test anonymously and without insurance, at a moment that suits you both.
Every STI result we provide is assessed by a BIG-registered doctor. If you are trying to conceive, have questions about your fertility or an STI history, discuss it with your GP or the GGD; this article is explanation, not medical advice.
Sources
- RIVM, STI
- Soa Aids Nederland, Chlamydia
- Thuisarts.nl, Getting pregnant
- Haggerty CL et al. Risk of sequelae after Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in women. J Infect Dis. 2010 (PMID 20470050).
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