Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
are infections passed from one person to anther through sexual contact.
Take care. Learn about infections before you get pregnant to help prevent
or treat diseases that could harm your health or a future pregnancy.
Your
STI safeguard
Whether planning a pregnancy or not, both men and women can make 2
important decisions. Check your health and know your roles.
Make sure the body you have
is as healthy as possible before pregnancy
1
Have regular physical exams
2
Ask your health care provider
to test you for STIs—it’s not always done
3
For more information contact
your local sexual health clinic
•
STIs are a common health problem
for both men and women.
•
All STIs can be treated, and
most can be cured. In fact, a past STI or herpes that flares
up from time to time, will not keep you from having a healthy
baby in the future.
•
When infected with an STI,
most men and women show no signs of infection.
•
Some untreated STIs, like
chlamydia and gonorrhea, may damage a woman’s fallopian
tubes – the travel route for the egg. This may make
it difficult to get pregnant.
•
Other STIs, like herpes and genital warts,
may be a factor for increased risk of cervical cancer.
•
Infected mothers can pass on an STI to
their baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
•
Hepatitis B is the only STI
that can be prevented by vaccine.
If your answers to this question tell you your STI risk is low (you
answered “yes” to
every question), then your body is likely to be free of infection. To be sure,
be tested.
If you answered “no” to some questions, don’t despair. We are
talking about risk only. Your answers don’t mean there is a problem. They
tell you it is time to make some changes to your lifestyle or look for some more
information. To be sure, be tested.
STIs don’t have to change relationships; you just need to know what they
mean for your health, and how you can keep them from happening. You can be treated.
Any “unsure” checks to the questions above? It could be time to talk
to your partner or see your health care provider. Your health care provider can
talk to you about a Hepatitis B vaccination and testing for STIs, including HIV.
Anonymous testing for HIV can be arranged.
Remember to tell your health care provider if you have had an STI so you can
plan for a healthy pregnancy.
For help close to home:
Ontario HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Information
Line: 1-800-668-2437
Main Line (information about needle exchange
programs and STDs and injection drug use): 1-800-686-7544
