Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
What is thrush?
Pregnancy hormones, a course of antibiotics and diabetes can all be a trigger for women to develop a bout of vaginal thrush, as these can all disturb the bodys pH balance. Once you have developed thrush, it can disappear naturally or there are treatments available which target the yeast growth and ease the symptoms.
Developing thrush during pregnancy will not harm your unborn baby. However, if you have thrush during the birth, it can be passed to your baby. A paediatrician will advise on how to treat your baby if this happens.
What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush?
How can I ease and help to prevent thrush?
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Treatments for thrush and recurrent thrush
Yeasts thrive on sugary foods, processed foods and refined carbohydrates and will also overgrow when good bacteria are killed, for example, by antibiotics. Research into this complex subject will allow you to become informed and able to make the choices that are right for you and your family.
Summary
Developing thrush during pregnancy can be extremely irritating, but there are effective self-help remedies available to help you take control of this itchy situation.
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How To Treat A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
For a yeast infection in pregnancy, treatment is generally an over-the-counter vaginal cream or suppositories. These might include Clotrimazole Miconazole or Terconazole. Oral medications such as fluconazole are not recommended during pregnancy.
If you have to wait a few days to see your doctor, Tahery says you can apply 1 percent hydrocortisone externally to help control itching. If you are desperate, you can use a small amount just on the lips of the vulva, which will offer some relief, he says.
But Tahery cautions against using boric acid suppositories to treat yeast infections during pregnancy. Boric acid and other homeopathic treatments havent been tested in pregnancy, so I wouldnt recommend them, he says.
If you have a yeast infection that somehow goes undetected, it will likely clear up after you deliver. These will usually self-resolve after pregnancy, unless you were having chronic yeast infections before you got pregnant, perhaps due to a condition such as diabetes, says Tahery.
Sometimes having one yeast infection during pregnancy can cause repeated ones until you deliver. If you are having recurring yeast infections during pregnancy, its best to work with your doctor to figure out a plan. Along with medication, you may need to make lifestyle changes like wearing more breathable clothing or changing your underwear more frequently, since yeast thrives in wet, humid conditions.
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How To Prevent From Getting Infected
- Eating yogurt is not only good for gut health but also vaginal health. Include probiotics or yogurt contain Lactobacillus acidophilus in your diet.
- Limit your sugar intake to control your blood sugar level. As yeast grows better in the environment that is high in sugar content.
- Always wipe from back to front after using the toilet.
- Do not use scented products like feminine wash, toiler paper or pantyliner. Tampons are not recommended.
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Q: Can A Yeast Infection Harm My Pregnancy
A:No. A yeast infection wont affect your developing baby thats why we dont treat yeast infections that dont have symptoms. However, most symptomatic yeast infections get worse when left untreated. This means more itching, redness, and inflammation. If the skin becomes cracked or torn from repeated scratching, a skin infection can result. In rare cases, an untreated yeast infection can lead to fatigue, oral thrush, or digestive problems.
How Can A Yeast Infection Be Prevented
Prevention is always better than cure. It is best to prevent the infection from happening in the first place rather than to cure the damage done by it. To prevent a yeast infection from happening, you should try to consume food that is rich in probiotics, or taking a supplement with cranberry in it might be of great help as well. Other than these, some other preventive measures are:
- avoiding very tight clothes
- saying yes to underwear made of pure cotton
- after a shower or a bath one should dry themselves thoroughly
- wet swimsuits should not be worn for too long
- must take foods that contain probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, etc
- steer clear of high levels of sugar in your diet
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Home Remedies For Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
Yeast infections are the bane of every woman, and especially those who are pregnant.
Pregnancy increases your risk for a vaginal yeast infection, also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis. This type of infection is caused by microscopic fungi in the Candida family, most commonly Candida albicans.
About three out of every four women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime and up to 45 percent will get two or more infections, according to an article published in American Family Physician in 2011 .
During pregnancy, infections caused by Candida are even more common. A 2009 study published in Canadian Family Physician found that yeast infections affect three out of four women in their lifetimes, and the infection occurs more frequently in pregnant women. Higher estrogen levels and higher glycogen content in vaginal secretions during pregnancy increase a womans risk of developing a yeast infection .
Similarly, a 2016 study published in Folia Medica reports that yeast is more likely to cause an infection during pregnancy due to hormone fluctuations .
Several studies make it clear that the reasons for this increased risk during pregnancy include a shift in the balance of vaginal microorganisms and a high estrogen level in the body. Other factors that can increase a womans risk of infection include reduced immune system activity, use of antibiotics, diabetes and an unhygienic lifestyle.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for yeast infections during pregnancy.
How To Handle Yeast Infections When Pregnant
There is nothing more wonderful than bringing a new life into this world. However, there is nothing more frustrating than dealing with typical pregnancy symptoms and additional health issues that affect women. This article discusses how yeast infections can happen during pregnancy and how to handle it.
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Complications For The Baby
When someone with a yeast infection gives birth, it is possible for them to pass the Candida fungus along to their baby during delivery. This typically happens in the form of oral thrush, consisting of thick, white patches in their mouth. Fortunately, oral thrush can be easily treated with antifungal medication and doesn’t cause any permanent harm to the baby.
At this point, there is preliminary data that suggests a yeast infection during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of complications, like:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Congenital cutaneous candidiasis
What Can Cause Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
While pregnancy with a yeast infection is common, it is helpful to know what may cause it. Here are some factors that may contribute to an overgrowth of yeast leading to yeast infection early pregnancy:
- Normal changes in hormone levels
- A reaction to your partners natural yeast or bacteria
- Pre-existing conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV
- Taking immunosuppressant medication, like steroids
- Taking antibiotics, which can disrupt the vaginal PH
- Birth Control Pills
- Allergic reaction in the vaginal area
- STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Another common infection called BV, or bacterial vaginosis
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Yeast Infection Treatment During Pregnancy Is Critical
Yeast infection treatment during pregnancy must be done in a timely manner because many complications in the pregnancy may occur e.g she can pass the yeast infection to the child.
And she certaintly do not want it, if untreated to invade her blood to cause her to get invasive candidiasis which can be very serious.
When a woman is pregnant she is more prone to recurrent candida yeast infection. If she has it, she will suffer the usual vaginal yeast infection symptoms.
This is one of the reasons why yeast infection treatment during pregnancy is vital for good health for her and the baby. Yes, there is yeast infection in babies.
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Linda Allen was always healthy before she suffer repeated attacks of candida in her early thirties. She suffered the known symptoms the overgrown candida albicans fungi.
She also became a victim of regular heart burns, fatigues, bloated stomach, rashes and cramps.
Other Infections During Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in the body, making people more susceptible to complications from many infections.
For example, hormone-related skin changes during pregnancy can cause conditions such as eczema or severely dry skin. If the skin cracks open and bleeds, a serious skin infection, such as cellulitis, can develop. A rare skin disorder called Sweetâs syndrome is also more common during pregnancy than at other times.
Some other infections that may be more serious during pregnancy
The increased risk of these infections during pregnancy is not well understood but may be due to hormone and other changes that alter the number of blood cells in the body. For example, late in pregnancy, T cells that help fight infection .
Pregnancy also causes increased blood circulation and demands on the heart. These demands can also worsen complications. For example, if a pregnant person develops pneumonia from the flu, they may have more difficulty breathing because of the increased demands the fetus places on the heart and lungs.
Some medications that can effectively treat common infections may be less safe during pregnancy. So it is essential that pregnant people who have an infection talk to their doctor or midwife to weigh up the benefits and risks of various treatment options.
Numerous infections can affect the developing baby. However, it is difficult for doctors to tell whether and to what extent a fetus will be affected.
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Yeast Infection Treatment During Pregnancy
Having a yeast infection is unpleasant at the best of times, but having to worry about yeast infection treatment during pregnancy can be particularly troubling. There are two important things you should know. Firstly, the infection is unlikely to harm your baby. Secondly, unless you have the infection during birth and deliver naturally, there is little chance of your baby catching the infection. So the important thing then is how to safely manage the infection while you are pregnant.
If you are expecting and you require yeast infection treatment during pregnancy, it is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor. The safety of your child is of the utmost importance, so knowing what you can safely do to relieve the symptoms of a yeast infection during pregnancy is essential. Often the doctor will recommend that you dont receive any treatment during the first trimester.
Natural treatment options are often a good alternative that should be safe at any stage of the pregnancy. If the uncomfortable symptoms of a Candida infection are driving you to distraction and you are unable to take regular medication, then a natural alternative to relieve problems such as itching, burning and stinging may be the best option.
Here are some natural options for yeast infection treatment during pregnancy:
Tea Tree Oil
Reducing yeast rich foods in your diet
How To Treat A Yeast Infection When You’re Pregnant
Even if youve had yeast infections before and are a pro at self-diagnosing, its best to call your provider before using an over-the-counter medication. Why? Some women who think they have a yeast infection actually have a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, and a yeast infection medication will only prolong the issue.
If you have a yeast infection, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal cream or vaginal suppository. The following over-the-counter and prescription yeast infection treatments are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but be sure to check with your practitioner before starting treatment.
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Is It Normal To Get Thrush In Early Pregnancy
During pregnancy many women experience thrushand this is completely normal. Your body is going through a huge amount of changes that can disrupt your bodys natural harmony and this can make you more susceptible to thrush.
This unbalancing of bacteria and microorganisms can lead to yeast infections, as the Candida albicans that live in your body multiple uncontrollably. You might find that during your pregnancy you have recurring thrush or that the symptoms can take a while to clear even with treatment.
What Complications Are Associated With Yeast Infections
In nonpregnant women who have a normal immune system, yeast infections rarely lead to serious complications.
Even in pregnancy, yeast infections dont usually cause harmful effects in the mother. However, you can pass the yeast to your baby during delivery.
Most babies who develop a yeast infection have it just in their mouths or diaper area. However, though rare, a yeast infection in babies can become very serious, because their immune systems arent yet well-developed. It can spread through the infants body and affect breathing and heart rhythm, for example. This happens most often in babies who have other things affecting their immune systems, such as prematurity or an underlying infection.
Yeast infections can also cause body-wide infections and serious complications in women who have a weakened immune system because of conditions such as HIV.
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Vaginal Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
If you develop a yeast infection during pregnancy, its important to understand the importance of choosing the right treatment. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are pregnant and develop a vaginal yeast infection. The CDC and health professionals recommend a 7-day vaginal cream for a yeast infection during pregnancy. The FDA issued a warning about the oral medication fluconazole in 20162. Using topical antifungal treatments like MONISTAT® during pregnancy is recommended. Again, talk to your healthcare professional.
Should Pregnant People Try Alternative Treatments
You may have stumbled upon some home remedies with tips and tricks to naturally treat yeast infections. These involve using household staples such as yogurt, coconut oil or garlic, as well as other oils like tea tree and oregano, either topically or orally to suppress yeast infections.
While some of these recommendations have been studied, it is not recommended that pregnant people attempt to treat themselves. During your pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor for treatment options and just use garlic to spice up your food instead of as an antifungal.
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How To Treat Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about womens health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles.
If you’re an adult woman, chances are you’ve had a yeast infection at some point in your life and know that it’s anything but fun. But did you know yeast infections occur more frequently in women who are pregnant?
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a normal fungus. About one-third of all women normally carry this fungus in their vaginas, and both men and women carry it in their digestive tracts.
During pregnancyparticularly in the second trimesterwomen become more susceptible to yeast problems. The increased risk during pregnancy is at least partially due to the increased estrogen circulating in a pregnant womans body.
While they’re annoying and uncomfortable, yeast infections are not harmful to your health. Unlike with other types of infections, you generally wouldn’t be prescribed antibiotics for a yeast infection .
A yeast infection will also not harm your baby, although they may still get yeast infections, no matter how or when they are born.
Diagnosis Of A Yeast Infection
While you could likely deduce the cause of the problem without an appointment, it is important to determine what type of yeast infection you have in order to obtain an effective treatment. The Mayo Clinic notes that the fungus candida albicans is responsible for most vaginal yeast infections. However, candida glabrata and candida tropicalis can also be the cause.
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How Do You Prevent Yeast Infections While Pregnant
Whether or not you’re pregnant, the ways to prevent yeast infections include:
- Keeping your genital area clean and dry
- Avoiding douching, as well as hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders in the genital area
- Wearing cotton underwear, and avoiding underwear made of silk or nylon
- Avoiding wearing tight-fitting pants or shorts
How Is Candidiasis Treated
Most of the time, vulvovaginal candidiasis is easy to treat with an antifungal cream or suppository. The medicine should relieve your symptoms within seven days. However, during pregnancy, you should see your doctor before starting treatment. They can confirm that you actually have a yeast infection and ensure you get a treatment thats safe to use during pregnancy.
Both oral and topical antifungal drugs are used to treat yeast infections in nonpregnant women. However, oral drugs may not be safe to use during pregnancy. A 2016 study in found an association between higher risk of miscarriage and oral fluconazole use during pregnancy. Oral antifungal drugs have also been linked to birth defects.
Topical antifungal drugs that are safe to use during pregnancy include:
| Drug |
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