Sexual Health, Family Planning and Pregnancy Care

Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnancy

Barrier methods are fundamental tools in sexual health promotion. The practical nurse reinforces that consistent and correct use of condoms or dental dams helps reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), although no barrier method completely eliminates this risk. Immunization also plays a preventative role; the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against HPV types that cause anogenital warts and cervical cancer.

When left untreated, bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can ascend into the upper female reproductive tract. This progression can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility. Primary syphilis typically features a painless chancre; secondary syphilis may cause a generalized rash, often involving the palms and soles, but its appearance and degree of itching vary.

Managing viral infections during pregnancy is vital for protecting the fetus. In clients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the risk of vertical transmission to the infant is significantly reduced when the pregnant client strictly adheres to prescribed antiretroviral therapy. For genital herpes, active lesions or prodromal symptoms at the onset of labor represent a direct hazard to the neonate; the practical nurse must report these findings immediately to the registered nurse (RN) because a cesarean birth is indicated to prevent neonatal transmission.