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The soaring estrogen levels during your trimester tend to increase the risk of having a yeast infections during pregnancy, which is the most common vaginal infection in pregnant women. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 75 percent of women have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Fortunately, they do not cause any effect on your pregnancy or the baby-to-be. To know more about its causes and cures, read on!
Causes of yeast infection during pregnancy
Yeast infection during pregnancy is caused by an overgrowth of the normal vaginal fungus, known as the Candida albicans. The symptoms of a yeast infection during pregnancy is caused when the balance of the bacteria and the yeast in the vagina are altered due to the rise in estrogen levels, oral contraceptive use, or estrogen therapy. Adding on, the excess moisture use during pregnancy can also exasperate an imbalance, welcoming environment for fungal growth.
Yeast Infection Symptoms During Pregnancy
It is common during pregnancy to experience an increase in vaginal discharge, that is a thin, milky, mild-smelling, voluminous called leukorrhea. On the other hand, the vaginal secretions in a yeast infection are rather white, lumpy, and odorless with itching and burning sensation in the areas outside the vagina (known as vulva), which may seem to be red and swollen. While the other yeast infection symptoms could include painful urination and cause discomfort during intercourse.
Complications of yeast infections according to the health information
First and foremost, this yeast infection isn’t dangerous and rarely causes anything more than an irritating inconvenience. However, if you are going into labor, it has a chance of passing on to the baby in the delivery, as the fungus that causes the vaginal yeast infections could lead to thrush, which is a yeast imbalance in the mouth. If so, the infant will develop white patches in the mouth, that will again be passed back to you when breastfeeding. Luckily, the treatment of thrush is easy and can be aided with mild antifungal medication and an antifungal cream for you.
Also, this yeast infection could look a lot like a serious condition, including sexually transmitted diseases or bacterial vaginosis. Therefore, do not ignore any symptoms especially during pregnancy, they could look like yellow, gray, or green discharge with a strong odor or general itching and a sense of burning in the vaginal area, whatever it is, let the healthcare provider know.
How To Prevent Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
Here are a few points to help prevent the yeast infection with mostly keeping the genital area dry and allowing air to circulate. Try:
- Wearing cotton underwear allows air in the genital area
- Sleep sans pajama or underwear during the nights to let the area ‘breathe’
- Avoid baths and opt to shower instead
- Use unscented and gentle soaps on the genitals
- Avoid the use of vaginal sprays or deodorants
- Practice meticulous hygiene and wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom
- Don’t sit in a wet bathing suit
- Make sure the genital is completely dry before you wear your panties and clothes
- Limit the intake of sugar in your daily diet and also the refined grain products
Yeast Infection Treatment During Pregnancy
It is always a good idea to contact your doctor before using an over-the-counter when you have a yeast infection even if you have had it in the past and know how to self-diagnose. This is because mostly it is assumed to be caused by a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, which will only prolong the issue. Here the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic like clindamycin, or metronidazole if in the second trimester or third trimester.
The doctor may also prescribe antifungal vaginal creams or vaginal suppository, like the oral antifungal medication, fluconazole in pregnancy. Whatever the practitioner may choose, it would take several days for the treatment to bring you relief.
But unfortunately, these medications would only banish the yeast infection temporarily because they often return until delivery.
That’s all about everything you need to know about yeast infection during pregnancy. However, if you are also facing lighting crotch pain during pregnancy, Parenthood bliss has curated an article on the symptoms and prevention in the link provided. Explore it now!
To Conclude
Yeast Infections in pregnant women is the most common vaginal infection reviewed in expecting moms. However, the best part of it all is that it can be aided by medications recommended by the doctors. So, make sure to keep aware of the symptoms if caused in the body that get you irritated quite often. Also, make sure to check the content above for more information in the navigation of the yeast infection.
Yeast Infections During Pregnancy FAQs
1) Can yeast infection affect the baby during pregnancy ?
2) Is Monistat safe while pregnant ?
3) How can you treat a yeast infection in your pregnancy ?
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Reviewed By:
Esha Chainani - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Esha Chainani is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and laparoscopic surgeon who aims to break the stigma around women’s health by advocating an inclusive and open practice of obstetrics and gynecology and an author of several internationally published research papers and health articles in the media like the Swaddle.
She also founded Premaa, a non-profit to reduce maternal morbidity and eventual maternal mortality by providing lower-income pregnant women living in urban areas with cell phone access through an app that can feature an entire section about contraception as well for a whole gamut of reproductive health.
A panel for multiple health sessions including with the UN, USAID, BMC, gender at work, and multiple non-profit organisations, and is on the advisory panel of the South Indian medical students association.
