HPV, genital herpes (HSV), or another past STI does not always prevent you from becoming a surrogate. The clinic needs to know which infection you had, whether it is current or treated, your symptoms, test results, pregnancy history, and whether treatment or specialist follow-up is needed.
Do not leave an STI off the application because it feels private or embarrassing. The medical team needs accurate information to protect you and the pregnancy.
Nina had not had a herpes outbreak in years
Nina was diagnosed with genital herpes before her second pregnancy. She had not had symptoms in years and delivered both children safely. She still worried that writing “HSV” would end the conversation.
The clinic asked about the diagnosis, outbreaks, treatment, and delivery records. It did not treat a past HSV diagnosis the same as every other STI. Nina received a plan for what would happen if symptoms returned during pregnancy.
The useful question was not “Do I have an STI?” It was “What is the infection, what is its current status, and what care would another pregnancy require?”
HPV, HSV, and other STIs are not one category
HPV: the clinic may review recent cervical screening, follow-up, and any treatment. HSV: it may ask about outbreak history, medication, and a delivery plan. Other STIs: testing, treatment, cure or control, partner management, and timing can differ.
CDC explains that STIs can affect pregnancy in different ways, and testing and treatment depend on the infection.1 A positive test is not a complete medical conclusion.
Information to gather before screening
- The exact diagnosis and approximate date
- Recent test results and treatment records
- Symptoms or outbreaks and when they last occurred
- Medication you take now or use during outbreaks
- Pap, HPV, colposcopy, or follow-up records when relevant
- How the condition was handled in earlier pregnancies
What may happen next
- The clinic accepts the history with routine monitoring.
- It requests updated testing or records.
- It asks for treatment and proof of follow-up first.
- It requests an OB/GYN or specialist opinion.
- It pauses or declines clearance because of current risk.
ASRM recommends infectious-disease screening as part of gestational-carrier medical evaluation.2 The clinic should explain what result is missing and who makes the final decision.
You can ask how privacy works before sharing records
Before uploading a lab result, ask where it is stored, which team members can see it, and what information may be shared with intended parents. You may also ask whether the program needs the whole document or a specific report.
Nina wanted the intended parents to receive the information needed for an informed match, but she did not want casual discussion of her diagnosis. The coordinator explained the disclosure process and let her ask questions before the profile moved forward.
Privacy does not mean hiding a condition from medical or matching review. It means handling sensitive information deliberately and only for the purposes of the journey.
Common questions, answered
Will intended parents see my diagnosis?
Ask the program what medical information is shared, with whom, and at what stage. Matching requires informed decisions, but your health information should still be handled under clear privacy practices.
Can a blood test tell whether I have genital herpes?
Testing and interpretation can be complicated. CDC recommends discussing which herpes test is appropriate with a healthcare provider.3
What if I had an infection years ago and was treated?
Still report it. The clinic can then decide whether documentation, repeat testing, or no further action is needed.
A diagnosis should lead to a plan, not shame
Nina felt relief when the clinic discussed management instead of treating one word as her whole health story. Review medical screening and how medical clearance decisions are made.