Yeast Infection During Pregnancy; All Details

What is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection happens when a fungus called Candida overgrows. It happens when the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina is thrown off, which allows the yeast to overgrow causing an uncomfortable infection which is called a yeast infection. Pregnancy raises the chance of getting a yeast infection.

Causes Of Yeast Infection

Vulvovaginal candidiasis, or moniliasis, is a yeast infection of the vulva and female part. It can cause because of theCandida albicans, but other types of yeast Candida glabrataand Candida tropicalis can also cause it.

Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

Many women get a yeast infection at some point. Did you know the chances are higher during pregnancy? Yeast Infection is caused by the overgrowth of normal fungus.

Candida normally lives in small amounts in the vagina and in the digestive tract without causing problems. Pregnancy makes it easier for it to overgrow.

Why it frequently happens in pregnant women?

Because during pregnancy estrogen increases, and increased estrogen can throw off the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in your private part. In this way, yeast can overgrow.

• Hormonal changes that come with pregnancy or before your period
• Taking hormones or birth control pills
• Taking antibiotics or steroids
• High blood sugar, as in diabetes
• Vaginal intercourse
• Douching
• Blood or semen
• Change in pH level due to hormonal change

How severe it can be?

A yeast infection is usually not serious, and most of the time symptoms go away completely with proper treatment.

In pregnancy, it is uncomfortable for the mother but doesn’t usually harm the baby in the womb. A baby can pick up yeast during a vaginal birth and develop thrush in the mouth or a diaper rash, which can be treated.

Symptoms of yeast infection

There are many symptoms of yeast infection such as,

• itching in vagina and vulva
• white vaginal discharge
• soreness in private part
• the burnt sensation during urination
• a rash on the vulva and the skin around it, which sometimes appears on the groin and thighs as well

Prevention

You can keep yourself safe and sound by following some little tips

• keep your female area dry
• wear loose panties of cotton cloth
• always wipe from front to back after using the restroom
• Shower immediately after you swim
• don’t use douches and Female Part sprays for fragrance
• use of sanitary pads and tampons that contain deodorant should be avoided
• don’t take a bubble bath/use scented soaps
• stop the use of colored or perfumed toilet paper
• Eating yogurt with live cultures, such as “lactobacillus acidophilus,” may help, though the evidence is limited.

Some precautionary measures are:

If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under good control, since high blood sugar raises the risk. Get plenty of rest to make it easier for your body to fight infections.

Surety of yeast infection

Your doctor will ask about all the symptoms and will do a pelvic exam. He will use a simple, painless swab to remove the discharge or vaginal secretions and examine it through a microscope. Usually, upon a simple examination of the female Part, a physician can diagnose a yeast infection. In rare cases, the culture may be sent to a lab. Cultures help them rule out other types of yeast, such asC. glabrata and C. tropicalis.

Treatment of yeast infection

Vaginal azole medicines come as creams or suppositories and include:

• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole (Monistat 7)
• Terconazole

Terconazole needs a prescription. The CDC recommends only topical azole treatments, applied for 7 days, during pregnancy. Choose a seven-day formula rather than a 1-day or 3-day product. Oral medication isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant.

Oral fluconazole (Diflucan) should not be used in pregnancy, because even a single dose might be linked to miscarriage and birth defects. This matters especially in the first trimester. If you see a doctor about your yeast infection and are very early in your pregnancy, make sure to tell the doctor that you think you’re pregnant.

Call your doctor

If you are pregnant and have symptoms of a yeast infection, see your doctor before using any medicine. MedlinePlus advises against treating it on your own during pregnancy. Yeast infections have symptoms similar to other infections, such as STDs, so getting the right diagnosis matters. If you see no improvement within three days, or if symptoms worsen or come back after treatment, you should contact your healthcare provider again.

HP Thoughts: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Learn some measures to avoid pregnancy problems and alleviate them immediately: How To Prevent Birth Related Injuries?

Frequently asked questions

Can a yeast infection cause a miscarriage?

The bigger concern is a common treatment. The CDC says a single dose of oral fluconazole might be associated with miscarriage and birth defects, so it should not be used in pregnancy. A 7-day vaginal azole cream is the recommended option.

What can I take for yeast infection while pregnant?

Vaginal azole medicines, such as clotrimazole or miconazole creams or suppositories, used for 7 days. Don’t take oral medicines, and check with your doctor before starting treatment.

What happens if a yeast infection goes untreated during pregnancy?

Symptoms can continue, and the baby may pick up yeast during a vaginal birth and develop thrush in the mouth. Thrush in babies is usually treatable, often with nystatin.

Will yeast infection go away on OWN?

A mild yeast infection sometimes clears on its own. During pregnancy, though, it’s best to see your doctor and treat it with a 7-day vaginal cream.

Sources

• Vulvovaginal Candidiasis - STI Treatment Guidelines, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Vaginal yeast infection, MedlinePlus