Taking Tylenol Cold While Pregnant
18 April, 2017
The common cold causes more than just a little misery. Every winter, it attacks and makes many of us sick with headaches, fever, congestion, runny noses, sinus pressure and more.
Plenty of medications exist to ease the discomfort, but for pregnant women there are doubts about taking anything that might hurt the baby. Tylenol Cold comes in several forms that alleviate symptoms from mild to severe, but it is important to examine the individual ingredients to make an educated decision before taking the medication during pregnancy.
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Yeast Infection During Pregnancy Everything That You Need To Know
Romita PView more GynaecologistOur Panel of ExpertsIn this Article
There are many types of fungi that live in our bodies, most of which are useful, and thrive without causing any symptoms. However, sometimes, these fungi can cause infections that can be hard to control. One such infection is a yeast infection, which affects sensitive areas of the body, even during a delicate phase like pregnancy.
Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis, commonly known as a yeast infection, is caused mostly by the organism Candida albicans, although two other pathogens, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis can also be involved.
Some common factors that put women at risk of this infection are pregnancy, diabetes, broad spectrum antibiotics, birth control pills, corticosteroids, and immunodeficiency disorders.
Lets take an in-depth look at yeast infections that occur during pregnancy.
Preventive Measures To Avoid A Yeast Infection While Pregnant
Although there are factors such as hormonal imbalance and vaginal secretions that are not under your control, there are some preventive steps you can take to minimise your chances of developing an infection. Here are some tips to prevent yeast infections:
- Keep the genital area dry by wearing loose cotton undergarments that facilitate air circulation.
- Avoid heavily scented soaps, bubble baths, and sprays near the genital area, as they might irritate the affected region and aggravate the condition.
- Make sure to shower immediately and dry yourself thoroughly after activities such as swimming and exercise. Do not sit in damp or wet bathing garments, or sweaty workout clothes, for long periods of time.
- While wiping the genital area, always wipe from front to back. Wiping back to front increases the chances of infections.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while avoiding high sugar and fatty foods.
- Avoid wearing underwear or pyjama bottoms during bed time.
- Refrain from douching.
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What Should I Do If I Think I Have A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
If you think you have a yeast infection, see your healthcare provider. Sheâll take a sample of your vaginal discharge to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other things that may be causing your symptoms.
If you do have a yeast infection, your provider will give you a topical prescription or recommend a specific over-the-counter antifungal vaginal cream or suppository thatâs safe to use during pregnancy.
Note: Do not take an oral over-the-counter medication to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy. The drug is unsafe for your baby.
It may take a few days of treatment before you begin to feel some relief. In the meantime, you can soothe the itching with an ice pack or by soaking for 10 minutes in a cool bath.
Let your provider know if the medication causes irritation or doesnât seem to be working. You may have to switch to another medication. Be sure to complete the full course of treatment to make sure the infection is gone.
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Q: Do Yeast Infections Appear Throughout Pregnancy
A:Yeast infections can occur any time, but they are most common duringthe second trimester. Talk with your doctor if you notice signs of a yeast infection while pregnant, even if you have had one before. Some more serious infections have similar symptoms, so your doctor will perform a simple fungal culture swap in the office to check for the presence of yeast.
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Safest Early Pregnancy Yeast Infection Treatments
While oral anti-fungal therapy should not be used by pregnant patients, as indicated by MedicineNet.com, anti-fungal topical preparations are safe and effective treatments for managing yeast infections during the first trimester of pregnancy and beyond. The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV indicates that yeast infections in pregnant women should be treated with topical azoles.
Is it ok to use Monistat while pregnant? According to Roger Harms, MD of the Mayo Clinic, both miconazole and clotrimazole are safe to use at any point during pregnancy. These medications are available over-the-counter and in prescription strength. It is further noted that using these preparations pose no risk of pregnancy complications or birth defects. Prior to using these preparations, however, speak to your health care provided to determine if they are appropriate for your situation.
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Tips To Prevent Yeast Infection:
Many women fear yeast infections during pregnancy for obvious concerns. To avoid the added concern and risks, you can easily prevent yeast infection just by following some basic tips
Ø Avoiding synthetic material clothes
Ø Wearing loose cotton fabric underwear
Ø Keeping the vaginal area dry
Ø Do not wear tight-fitting clothes
Ø Avoid using any scented soaps or sprays in the vaginal area
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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of A Yeast Infection
You can often prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:
- Not douching douching can kill bacteria that actually control fungus.
- Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
- Not using scented tampons or pads.
- Changing out of wet clothing, like bathing suits or gym clothes, as soon as you can.
- Wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes.
- Using water-based sexual lubricants.
- Keeping your blood sugar levels in a normal range if you have diabetes.
The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Vaginal Yeast Infection
There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:
- A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
- Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area.
- A burning feeling when you pee.
In some cases, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection can be pain during sex.
Symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to the symptoms people feel when they have a sexually transmitted infection or other vaginal infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so they can examine you.
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How Do I Treat A Yeast Infection
Good news is that yeast infections are usually easy to treat and there are treatments that can be used in pregnancy! Yeast infections are treated either topically or orally .
- Oral Medications: The most common oral antifungal used to treat yeast infections is called fluconazole and is typically given once in a single 150mg dose. It is unlikely that the use of a single low dose of oral fluconazole during pregnancy would greatly increase the chance of birth defects or complications. However, the use of high dose fluconazole for many weeks in the first trimester of pregnancy might be associated with an increase in the chance of birth defects and miscarriage. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted guidelines for treating vaginal yeast infections in pregnancy and these guidelines recommend topical therapies rather than oral medication. For more details, visit our Fluconazole Fact Sheet.
- Topical Medications: Most common topical therapies include antifungals called azoles and are usually used over a 7-day period. There are many types of azole medications, but the most common ones used are clotrimazole or miconazole . For more details, visit our Miconazole | Clotrimazole Fact Sheet.
Rarely, some individuals may have more complicated yeast infections that last for a long time or come back more than four times a year. These may have to be treated differently.
How Are Yeast Infections Treated During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, physicians recommend vaginal creams and suppositories only. The oral medication, Diflucan , has not been proven safe during pregnancy and lactation. Not all vaginal creams and suppositories are okay to use during pregnancy, so it is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist to get the right one. If left untreated, yeast infections can pass to your babys mouth during delivery. This is called thrush and is effectively treated with Nystatin.It may take 10-14 days to find relief or completely clear up the infection while you are pregnant. After the infection has cleared up and any sores have healed, it may be helpful to use a starch-free drying powder, or Nystatin powder to prevent a recurring infection.
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Treating A Yeast Infection While Pregnant
While its possible to treat a yeast infection when pregnant with over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories, its best to seek the advice of your doctor before starting any treatment.
It is especially important that you get diagnosed accurately if youre pregnant because many of the symptoms are similar to other conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
However, Your doctor can recommend safer medications to use if youre pregnant or nursing.
Typically, antifungal medications are recommended. These may be topical or oral. In some cases, a single dose of oral medication is sufficient to treat a yeast infection.
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Why Are Yeast Infections More Common During Pregnancy
Your body undergoes several changes during pregnancy, and it is not easy for it to keep up the chemical fluctuations in the vaginal region. Also, the sugar content is high in the vaginal discharge, making the yeast to survive and thrive.
Yeast infections mostly occur at the end of the second and third trimesters. The chances are relatively low in the first trimester.
As the chances for the infection are higher during pregnancy than normal times, should you worry about the effect it has on you and the baby?
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How Can I Prevent A Yeast Infection Or Recurring Yeast Infections
Most yeast infections can usually be avoided by doing the following:
- Wear loose, breathable cotton clothing and cotton underwear.
- After regular, thorough washing , use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry the outside of your genital area.
- Always wipe from front to back after using the restroom.
- Shower immediately after you swim. Change out of your swimsuit, workout clothes, or other damp clothes as soon as possible.
- use sanitary pads and tampons that contain deodorant
- take a bubble bath/use scented soaps
- use colored or perfumed toilet paper
Types Of Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge naturally fluctuates with hormone levels. This means it can change week by week and even day by day. The main hormone that affects vaginal discharge is estrogen. Estrogen typically reaches its peak during ovulation to help with fertilization. It also tends to increase slightly in the days before menses begins, which is why you may get some extra discharge before that time of the month. Pregnancy affects the cervix which can affect vaginal discharge, particularly at the beginning of your second trimester. But, it is super important to let your doctor known about abnormal discharge. It could be a sign of infection if it has a different color or odor or is accompanied by redness, itching, or swelling of your vulva .
CLEAR Discharge
Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leukorrhea. It is thin, white, milky, and mild smelling. It can also be described as watery discharge. Leukorrhea is NORMAL discharge so there is nothing to worry about.
WHITE Discharge
Thick, white discharge: often occurs during ovulation due to estrogen increase NORMAL
Gooey/Clumpy: few days before your period due to estrogen increase NORMAL
Thick, smelly discharge: possible infection, some people describe a fishy smell
Odorless with pain during urination/sex or burning sensation:possible yeast infection , some people say it looks like cottage cheese. This is just one example of yeast infection symptoms in women.
PINK DischargeBROWN DischargeRED DischargeYELLOW Discharge
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Can Thrush Hurt My Unborn Baby
There is no evidence to suggest that having thrush while youre pregnant will harm your baby. Your baby is safely sealed inside you womb and will not into come into contact with the yeast infection. If you have thrush when the baby is born they can catch the infection during labour, however this is very straight forward to treat and nothing to worry about.
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Treating A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
It’s safe to treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter vaginal creams or suppositories that contain miconazole or clotrimazole.
Donât take an oral fluconazole tablet to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy. It may cause birth defects.
If you think you have a yeast infection, call your doctor before using over-the-counter medications to treat it.
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What Is The Best Way To Cure A Yeast Infection At Home While Pregnant
The best way to cure a yeast infection is usually through diet and using an over-the-counter treatment that is gentle on your body. The goal should be to treat the itchy, burning symptoms with a homeopathic remedy that doesnt disrupt your bodys natural balance.
Natural remedies will work much better if you start using them as soon as you experience any signs or symptoms of a yeast infection.
Next, you want to start focusing on the source of the yeast the bacterial imbalance in your digestive system. This means lowering your carb intake to stop feeding the wrong bacteria and boosting your good bacteria through probiotics.It takes a while to start having an effect, so be diligent and stick to it. Below is the exact yeast infection treatment protocol I used while pregnant.
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Yeast Infection During Pregnancy There May Be Risks Treating With The Prescription Pill
When a yeast infection strikes, not all available treatment options are created equal. A 2016 Danish study looked into the possible risk of miscarriage when taking fluconazole to treat yeast infections during pregnancy and, while the FDA is still reviewing that study, it advises caution in using fluconazole and recommends considering alternative treatment options during pregnancy.
The only form of treatment that the CDC recommends to treat yeast infection during pregnancy is a 7-day topical therapy1. MONISTAT® 7 is a 7-day treatment that relieves yeast infection symptoms four times faster and works on more of the most common strains of yeast than the leading prescription oral pill.
If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, speak to your doctor first before selecting a treatment.
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What Are Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
Signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection can vary. Here are some things you may experience and get checked out by your provider:
- Redness and/or swelling in the vulva
- Pain during intercourse
- Soreness or pain in the vulva
- Thick, white vaginal discharge resembling cottage cheese in appearance
In addition to vaginal signs and symptoms, an overgrowth of yeast or candida can also occur in the mouth, known as oral thrush. In infants, the infection may present as a red, persistent, irritating diaper rash. Like any infection, it is recommended to have your doctor examine your symptoms to determine the cause.
Advice From Our Practice
At University Park OBGYN, we are fully equipped to guide you through the comprehensive care you deserve. From treating a pesky yeast infection while pregnant to delivering your infant, we guarantee thorough, compassionate care. Give us a call or visit our website today to learn more about the various services we offer in gynecological, preconception, obstetric, and postpartum care.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Safe Prescribing Is Key
Anick Bérard
The study re-emphasizes safe prescribing practices in pregnancy, commented Drs. Vanessa Paquette and Chelsea Elwood, of Vancouvers British Columbia Womens Hospital and Health Centre, writing in the CMAJ.
Doctors should take the right steps by first confirming the correct diagnosis and then choosing the safest medication with the largest body of data in pregnancy at the lowest appropriate doses, they advised.
Women shouldnt be unduly worried, however. The risk of complications is, on the whole, very low, said Bérard, who runs the Medications and Pregnancy unit at CHU Sainte-Justine childrens hospital.
Is it worse to leave a yeast infection untreated? Absolutely. But the patient and doctor should at least have a discussion about the appropriate dose. In principle, less is always safer than more. That should be the norm.
Women can also ask their pharmacists for alternative medications, some available over the counter, to treat their yeast infection, added Bérard, who is now looking at extending the study to patient cohorts across Canada.
Is It Safe To Use Over
Yes, but always talk with your doctor or nurse before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection. This is because:
- You may be trying to treat an infection that is not a yeast infection. Studies show that two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine don’t really have a yeast infection.2 Instead, they may have an STI or bacterial vaginosis . STIs and BV require different treatments than yeast infections and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems.
- Using treatment when you do not actually have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the yeast infection medicine. This can make actual yeast infections harder to treat in the future.
- Some yeast infection medicine may weaken condoms and diaphragms, increasing your chance of getting pregnant or an STI when you have sex. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what is best for you, and always read and follow the directions on the medicine carefully.
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