Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can pose unique risks for someone who’s pregnant. Pregnant people should be especially careful to protect themselves against STIs during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant, it’s important to get screened for STIs in your first trimester, along with other prenatal screening. This checks for the presence of any infections before pregnancy.
It’s possible to transmit an STI during pregnancy. In the case of chlamydia, it may cause inflammation of the eyes and pneumonia in newborns.
Early treatment is important. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner treatment can start to ensure the infection won’t be transmitted to the baby or complications don’t arise.
Although anyone can contract an STI, there are some factors that put you at higher risk.
Women are more likely than men to receive a chlamydia diagnosis. Sexually active women under age 25 are at the highest risk for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
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Chlamydia is commonly asymptomatic, meaning that most people with chlamydia won’t have any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may not appear until several weeks after contracting the infection.
If symptoms are present, they can include:
- a burning sensation when urinating
- yellow or green discharge from the vagina
- lower abdominal pain
- pain when having sexual intercourse
Be sure to see your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you’re pregnant.
Treatment for chlamydia should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Antibiotics may be used to relieve symptoms and treat the infection. However, it’s important to speak with your doctor about whether antibiotics would be effective for you.
You’ll also want to make sure that any side effects you experience won’t affect fetal development. For example, doxycycline isn’t recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to a drug used to treat chlamydia. Everyone’s body is different, and sometimes people report side effects to certain drugs.
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Antibiotic medications can also change bacteria that normally inhabit the vagina or bowels. This may make it easier to get yeast infections.
Antibiotics to use during pregnancy
Three antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of chlamydia during pregnancy: azithromycin, erythromycin, or amoxicillin.
Most research has suggested that azithromycin is a safe and effective treatment. Bad reactions to single-dose azithromycin are rare.
Side effects that have been reported include:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- rash
Side effects of erythromycin may include:
- skin rash
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty breathing
- irregular heart rate or chest pain
- mouth ulcers
- inflammation of the liver
If you’re prescribed erythromycin, you’ll need to be retested 3 weeks after you finish taking the medication to make sure the infection is gone.
Side effects of amoxicillin include:
- skin rash
- diarrhea
- difficulty breathing
- trouble passing urine
- seizures
- dizziness
- headache
- upset stomach
Those who are pregnant are recommended to be retested 3 months after treatment.
Antibiotics to avoid during pregnancy
Doxycycline and ofloxacin shouldn’t be used during pregnancy because they may interfere with fetal development.
Doxycycline can discolor a baby’s teeth. Ofloxacin may inhibit DNA formation and may injure connective tissue.
Possible side effects of doxycycline include:
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- liver toxicity
- esophageal ulcers
- rash
Possible side effects of ofloxacin include:
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- insomnia
- restlessness
- dizziness
- liver toxicity
- seizure
For those who aren’t pregnant
If you have chlamydia and aren’t pregnant, you can take any antibiotics, as long as you have no prior history of reaction to one.
The advantage of azithromycin is that it’s usually taken as a single dose. Doxycycline must be taken for 7 days.
Talk to your doctor about the right antibiotic for you.
To minimize the risk of contracting and transmitting chlamydia, sexual intercourse should be avoided until treatment is complete.
If you have a diagnosis, it’s also best to contact any sexual partners you had during the 60 days before you were tested. It’s strongly suggested that these partners be tested and treated if needed.
The most reliable way to prevent chlamydia is to avoid sex while being treated. If you and a partner both have a diagnosis, you should avoid sexual contact until everyone has completed treatment.
Some methods to prevent contracting or transmitting chlamydia include:
- using condoms or other barrier methods
- getting regular screenings
Using a condom or other barrier method is recommended to help protect against infection or reinfection, although it’s not 100 percent effective.
Chlamydia is a curable STI and can be treated with antibiotics. If you’re currently pregnant, it’s best to speak with your doctor about which options would be best for you.
Be sure to get screened for STIs in your first trimester of pregnancy and be aware of the possible side effects of any antibiotics you’re taking.