Couples Trying to Conceive
Summary
- It is important for women and their partners who live in or travel to areas with a Zika outbreak or other areas with risk of Zika to plan their pregnancies in the context of the risk of Zika. Healthcare providers should discuss reproductive life plans, including pregnancy intentions and timing of pregnancy with women of reproductive age.
- CDC’s Zika virus testing recommendations for nonpregnant women and men are available on the Zika and Testing webpage.
- CDC recommends women and men diagnosed with Zika or who have possible exposure to Zika through sex or travel wait before trying to conceive.
- For couples traveling together or a man traveling without his partner: Wait at least 3 months after return or start of symptoms.
- For women traveling without her male partner: Wait at least 2 months after return or start of symptoms.
Guidance
- Dengue and Zika Virus Diagnostic Testing for Patients with a Clinically Compatible Ill ness and Risk for Infection with Both Viruses (MMWR, June 13, 2019)
- Update: Interim Guidance for Preconception Counseling and Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus for Men with Possible Zika Virus Exposure — United States, August 2018 (August 7, 2018)
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- New – HAN Advisory: Prolonged IgM Antibody Response in People Infected with Zika Virus: Implications for Interpreting Serologic Testing Results for Pregnant Women (May 5, 2017)
- UPDATE: Interim Guidance for Preconception Counseling and Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus for Persons with Possible Zika Virus Exposure – United States, September 2016 (Sept. 30, 2016)
- HAN Advisory: CDC Guidance for Travel and Testing of Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age for Zika Virus Infection Related to the Investigation for Local Mosquito-borne Zika Virus Transmission in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida (HAN, Aug. 1, 2016)
- Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Women of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure – United States, 2016 (MMWR, March 25, 2016)
- Estimating Contraceptive Needs and Increasing Access to Contraception in Response to the Zika Virus Disease Outbreak – Puerto Rico, 2016 (MMWR, Mar. 25, 2016)
- Interim Guidelines for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure – United States, 2016 (MMWR, Feb. 5, 2016)
Featured Tools
Helping women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy during the Zika outbreak can reduce Zika-related outcomes.
Page last reviewed: April 14, 2022