4 Simple Ways To Prevent Vaginal Thrush During Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and experiencing any discomfort in your vaginal area? Do you feel any itching sensation or irritation in or around your vagina? Are you experiencing any different discharge symptoms of late?

If you answered yes to all or some of the above questions, you are probably suffering from thrush. Read on to know all about this infection.

What Is Thrush?

Thrush is a very common yeast infection. It is also known as candidiasis. These mostly develop in those parts of your body that are moist and warm. The most common parts of your body that may get affected by thrush are your vagina, mouth and skin.

Candida is a yeast-like fungus. You may already have this fungus in your vagina without ever knowing it. The various hormones that are secreted by your vagina and good vaginal bacteria help keep this fungus under control. In cases where the natural balance in your vagina gets upset, the candida fungus multiplies. This can lead to vaginal thrush also known as yeast-infection.

While thrush is fairly harmless, you may be concerned if you have vaginal thrush during pregnancy.

[ Read: Treatment For Yeast Infection During Pregnancy ]

What Are The Causes Of Vaginal Thrush During Pregnancy?

When you are pregnant, your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes. Changes in the levels of female hormones like estrogen can also increase your chances of developing vaginal thrush. It can also contribute to recurring cases of vaginal thrush (1).

If you are taking any kind of antibiotics that contain estrogen, it could also increase your chances of developing vaginal thrush. Additionally, if you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of getting infected with vaginal thrush while you are pregnant (2).

[ Read: Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy ]

What Are The Symptoms Of Vaginal Thrush?

Some of the most common symptoms of vaginal thrush are pain and itching in and around the vaginal area. You may also have significant vaginal discharge that has a cottage-cheese like consistency. It may be thick and white in color or sometimes watery. You may also experience pain while urinating or while having sexual intercourse.

How To Treat Vaginal Thrush While Pregnant?

While you are pregnant, it is not recommended that you use any oral medication to treat this condition. Your doctor will most likely prescribe antifungal creams that are safe to be used during pregnancy. If you are in your first trimester, your doctor may ask you to wait and watch. Sometimes, vaginal thrush may go off after the initial few days. In case you continue to have the infection, please speak to your doctor about it.

If your doctor has prescribed you an antifungal pessary, you will most likely also be given an applicator to insert it in your vagina. This needs to be done with a lot of care [3]. You have to first attach the pesasry to the applicator as indicated in the instructions on the box. The best position to insert the pessary in your vagina will be to sit or lie down. While doing so, keep your legs bent and your knees apart. Be careful to gently insert the pessary into your vagina. Push it in as far as you comfortably can and do not push if you feel uncomfortable or any kind of pain. It is recommended you do this at night. This will help the medication to get absorbed while you are sleeping at night.

[ Read: Fungal Infection During Pregnancy ]

How Tp Prevent Vaginal Thrush In Pregnancy?

You can try the following to help prevent vaginal thrush, especially when you are pregnant:

• Wear underwear made of fabric that will allow the moisture to evaporate, like cotton.

• Make sure your underwear is always clean and dry before you use it. This will remove any dampness that can cause vaginal thrush.

• Do not use deodorants in your vaginal area as this can lead to vaginal thrush.

• Wearing the same sanitary pad for too long can also cause vaginal thrush.

There is no research finding yet to suggest that vaginal thrush is dangerous for your unborn baby. However, it is important you inform your doctor about any discomfort you have. Even though vaginal thrush may not cause you too much pain, you should still speak to your doctor about it.

Remember to properly follow all treatment instructions as suggested by your doctor. Do not stop treatment mid-way if you feel the symptoms are going down or have disappeared.

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