QUESTION
I recently had an STD test and discovered that I have or have had trichomoniasis. I would like to know if it is possible to get pregnant later on if your partner was not infected? If I were to become pregnant, would my child be affected because of my previous run in with this infection?

ANSWER
Trichomoniasis (trich) infection is caused by a common parasite that is sexually transmitted between men and women. trich infection should not affect your ability to get pregnant. Other STDS like gonorrhea and chlamydia, though, can reduce your ability to get pregnant. This is why yearly testing for these infections is so important. If you tell your provider that you are sexually active, he or she should be testing for these infections during your annual gynecological exam.

Untreated trich infection while you are pregnant can have serious consequences. It may increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, early labor, and low birth weight. Treatment of trich during pregnancy is part of routine prenatal care.

Infection with trich can also increase your risk of getting and passing HIV, so it is good that you've been treated. Your recent sex partners should also be notified and treated for trich and tested for other STDs, even if they have had no symptoms. Over 80% of people who have an STD don't know it because they have no symptoms.

To your health,
Dr. K