
Women are at high risk of getting vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy. The following shares will help you identify the cause and signs of the disease to know how to prevent and treat it promptly.
Nearly 75% of adult women get a vaginal yeast infection once in their lifetime. Itching is most evident when the disease has already started.
Causes of vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy
Vaginal yeast infections arise when a fungus in the vaginal area, also known as Candida, increases suddenly. When the balance of bacteria and fungi in the vagina is disrupted due to increased estrogen levels during pregnancy, oral contraceptive use or estroge n therapy , the fungus proliferates and causes symptoms. sick. The genital area with too high humidity is also the cause of imbalance, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi in the vaginal area to grow.
Common symptoms of vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy
During the pregnancy, it is easy to see a significant increase in vaginal discharge. Candida yeast infection causes a white, milky bumpy bump, not bad, but a lot. Pregnant women often have a burning sensation around the vaginal area with redness and swelling. In addition, when infected with Candida, the infected person often feels burning pain during sex.
Complications can be encountered if pregnant mother has vaginal yeast infection
Vaginal yeast disease during pregnancy, besides being uncomfortable and inconvenient, is not dangerous for pregnant women. Unfortunately, vaginal yeast infections during the time of birth is the cause of thrush in babies. When a child has thrush, it is easy to notice white plaques in his mouth. The disease can be transmitted to the mother while breastfeeding. However, the disease can be easily treated with mild antifungal medications for the baby or antifungal creams for the mother.
In some cases, a vaginal yeast infection can be the primary cause of other dangerous illnesses that follow, such as sexually transmitted diseases or bacterial vaginosis. If you have other signs such as yellow, green, or gray discharge, have a heavy smell or burning pain around your genital area, it is best to see your doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention of vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy
Pregnancy causes hormone levels in the body to change out of control, there are some steps you can take to prevent thrush during pregnancy. The guideline in preventing this disease is to keep your genital area dry and clean. aFamilyToday Health suggests you some prevention methods as follows:
Wear cotton underwear of the right size, not too tight
Don't wear underwear when you sleep, and pajama-style pajamas should be worn to keep your genital area dry
Take a shower instead of a tub, especially a bubble bath
Use gentle and fragrance-free feminine solution products on your genitals
Do not douche or use vaginal sprays and deodorants
Clean your genitals thoroughly, especially after using the toilet (you should dry from front to back).
Do not sit while wearing wet clothing
After bathing or swimming, dry your body, especially your genitals, before dressing
Limit the amount of sugar and refined grain products in the diet to the lowest level.
There is a lot of unofficial information that the use of yogurt, foods rich in probiotics rich in lactobacillus or other natural remedies such as garlic, tea tree oil are effective in treating and preventing fungal infections. vagina. But in fact, currently there is no scientific evidence to clarify the above claim.
The methods to treat vaginal yeast infections for pregnant women
Antifungal creams and vaginal suppositories are the best, safest choices to treat if pregnant women are entering the third trimester. However, pregnant mothers need to wait patiently because it will take a few days for the drug to be effective.
Oral antifungal medications such as fluconazole are usually more convenient. However, the drug is not recommended to use for pregnant women in the first trimester. Studies show that using drugs at this stage can cause many harms to the fetus. You can use fluconazole in the second, third trimester or during lactation.
Note that the above treatments are temporary. Symptoms are at risk of returning after a period of discontinuation of treatment.
Vaginal yeast infection if not treated promptly will cause many dangerous complications for both mothers and babies during pregnancy and after that. Hope that the above information partly helps pregnant mothers prevent diseases so that they can have a healthy birth.