Pure And Unprocessed Honey
The topical use of honey since it contains very high sugar levels can stop the fungus growth. Honey, when applied topically, can lower the PH of the vagina, which causes the growth of the fungus to drop dramatically. You can also add some herbs with antifungal properties like eucalyptus, lemongrass, geranium, etc. to the honey, making an even more potent solution that can effectively fight the fungus.
Honey should only be used in a topical manner as eating honey might aggravate the situation as the sugar content of the honey gets diluted in the stomach, which can become a source of nutrition for the fungus to feed and live on.
Birth Control And Yeast Infections
Birth control pills come in two types. The first type, the combined birth control pill, contains a mix of estrogen and progestin hormones. The second type, the progestin-only pill, contains a single progestin hormone at a lower dose than the combined pill.
The progestin hormones in both the combined and progestin-only pill may increase your risk of developing a yeast infection.
Its also possible for the estrogen in the combined birth control pill to contribute to the growth of yeast. Estrogen may cause your vagina to produce larger amounts of sugar, feeding the yeast inside your vagina and contributing to the growth of candida.
All forms of birth control that contain progestin or estrogen hormones can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection. This means you could also have a higher risk if you use the patch, ring, the hormonal IUD or the Depo-Provera® birth control injection.
Using spermicides and douching may also upset the balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina, causing overgrowth of yeast and increasing your risk of developing an infection.
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.
You May Like: How Yk If Your Pregnant
Causes Of A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
- Taking antibiotics, which can cause that can change the balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina.
- Diabetes that isnt well controlled
- Conditions like HIV or medications, like corticosteroids that make it harder for your immune system to work well.
- If your sexual partner has a yeast infection, it can be passed to you during vaginal sex.
How Is Candidiasis Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will use a cotton swab to take a sample of the vaginal discharge. The sample will be checked under a microscope for signs of the yeasts that cause infections.
In certain cases, your doctor may want to culture or grow in a lab a sample of your vaginal discharge. Cultures help them rule out other types of yeast, such as C. glabrata and C. tropicalis.
Don’t Miss: Pregnant Take Tums
What Is A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
Yeast infections are common in women, especially when you’re pregnant. Increased estrogen in your pregnant body can throw off the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina. This may let the yeast overgrow. Most yeast infections during pregnancy result from the fungus candida albicans. Two other kinds of yeast that can also cause them are candida glabrata and candida tropicalis.
Yeast infections aren’t pleasant, but they won’t hurt you or your baby. And they can be safely treated, usually with a topical cream.
When To See A Doctor
From an overall health perspective, yeast infections aren’t that big of a deal. However, these infections can be very unpleasant. Therefore, most people will want to treat a yeast infection quickly in order to get rid of the symptoms.
If you suspect a yeast infection for the first time, you see a doctor for a diagnosis. That’s true even though treatment is available over the counter. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to distinguish between a yeast infection and an STD just by the symptoms. You want to make certain you’re treating the right thing.
Even if you’ve had a number of yeast infections, it’s still good to go to a doctor to be certain of what is causing your symptoms. Many times, an over-the-counter yeast infection treatment isn’t successful because you don’t have a yeast infection. Resistance to treatment is also a possibility, but it’s less common than for bacterial diseases.
Also Check: Lice Treatment Safe For Pregnancy
If I Have A Yeast Infection Does My Sexual Partner Need To Be Treated
Maybe. Yeast infections are not STIs. But it is possible to pass yeast infections to your partner during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- If your partner is a man, the risk of infection is low. About 15% of men get an itchy rash on the penis if they have unprotected sex with a woman who has a yeast infection. If this happens to your partner, he should see a doctor. Men who haven’t been circumcised and men with diabetes are at higher risk.
- If your partner is a woman, she may be at risk. She should be tested and treated if she has any symptoms.
How To Prevent Yeast Infections
Consistently practicing good genital hygiene is the key to preventing vaginal yeast infections. Here are some ways to avoid yeast infection pregnancy symptoms:
- Avoid wearing tight bottoms and undergarments made of synthetic materials, especially overnight.
- Wear loose, cotton underwear to keep things dry and airy in the vaginal area
- Change out of workout garments, sweaty clothing, and wet swimsuits immediately.
- Avoid scented soaps and body washes, especially in the vaginal area
- Refrain from using scented toilet paper and scented sanitary napkins and tampons
- Always wipe from front to back
- Do not douche, especially later in pregnancy
- Avoid added sugars in your diet
- Eat probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt
- Maintain a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole-grains
These methods of yeast infection pregnancy symptoms are avoidable when you take the proper precautions. But remember, there is usually no cause for concern because yeast infections during pregnancy are common and treatable overall.
Recommended Reading: Vagisil Wipes During Pregnancy
How Does It Affect Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
An untreated yeast infection is not the exact cause of infertility in women however, it certainly plays an indirect role in creating complications for conception in the following ways:
-
If a woman has a yeast infection, she should avoid having sex, as there are high chances that the infection will be passed on to her partner.
-
The pain and discomfort can prevent her from having sex. She may not feel like having sex because of the intense pain. Both of these factors can make her miss her fertile window, thereby affecting her chances of conceiving.
-
Certain antifungal creams used for treating the infection can change the vaginal pH balance, which may hamper the easy transportation of the sperm to the egg.
-
It is also possible that a womans immune system can become counterproductive, and the white blood cells in her body while battling the yeast infection may unintentionally extinguish her partners sperm thus making conception harder.
What Causes Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
Like yeast infections outside of pregnancy, yeast infections during pregnancy occur when the different types of bacteria in the vagina become unbalanced, resulting in an overgrowth of Candida fungus.
Pregnant people are more susceptible to yeast infections because of increased estrogen levels and vaginal glycogen productionas well as certain immunologic alterations.
Read Also: Lice Shampoo And Pregnancy
Does Yeast Infection Cause Inflamed Cervix
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix . Vaginitis can cause itching, irritation, discharge, or odor. Vaginitis can be caused by a yeast infection, bacteria, or trichomoniasis.
Hereof, what does an inflamed cervix mean?
Cervicitis is an inflammation and irritation of the cervix. Symptoms of cervicitis can be similar to vaginitis, with vaginal discharge, itching or pain with intercourse. Cervicitis can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection. Most common are chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Also Know, can early pregnancy cause inflammation of the cervix? Pregnancy hormones can cause the cervix to become more sensitive than usual. This is because of the increased blood supply in the tissues surrounding the cervix. This increased sensitivity means that any irritation to the cervix, such as intercourse or an internal examination, can result in spotting or bleeding.
Also, what are the symptoms of cervical infection?
Symptoms of cervicitis may include:
- vaginal itching or irritation.
- pain during a cervical exam.
- frequent and painful urination.
- unusual gray or white discharge that may smell.
- a pressurized feeling in the pelvis.
What causes inflamed cervix during pregnancy?
Allergies: If someone is allergic to spermicides, douches, or latex in condoms, these may cause the cervix to become inflamed. An inflamed cervix may be a symptom of this. Pregnancy: This can affect hormone levels and lead to cervicitis as the cervix is much more sensitive at this time.
You May Like Also
Why Do Yeast Infections Affect Women Mostly During Pregnancy
Most of the time, yeast infections have been seen to affect mostly women who are pregnant rather than those who are not. It affects pregnant women during their second trimester of pregnancy. The reason behind this is that during pregnancy, a womans body undergoes a lot of changes, and there are imbalances in the hormonal levels that disrupt the PH balance of the vagina, making it less acidic, which can then make it possible for yeast to grow in it.
As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, vaginal fluids that contain higher levels of the female hormone estrogen and glycogen make it possible for the yeast to grow more easily in the vagina. The vaginal fluid that consists of high levels of glycogen points towards the increased level of sugar in it, which serves as food for the yeast and this again helps them to proliferate more rapidly.
Don’t Miss: Using Vagisil During Pregnancy
Can A Yeast Infection Cause Cramps How Why And What To Do
Well, it can if you dont treat the condition.
The most common symptoms of a Candida yeast infection include muscle aches, fatigue, pain when urinating and having sex, irritability, and depression.
When a woman has a yeast infection, she knows the pain and suffering that come with it.
Not only do the symptoms include painful and burning sexual pleasure, but they can include bloating, and even swelling of the vaginal area.
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.
Don’t Miss: Does Nutraburst Have Caffeine
The 10 Main Causes Of Vaginal And Vulva Yeast Infections
There are many potential causes of vaginal infections and inflammations, and here is a list of the 10 most common reasons why vaginal yeast infections strike women:
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
- avoid using scented products to clean your vagina
- avoid douching
- must take foods that contain probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, etc
- steer clear of high levels of sugar in your diet
Recommended Reading: Chewable Tums While Pregnant
Vaginal Thrush During Pregnancy
Most women experience occasional bouts of a common yeast infection known as vaginal thrush. It causes itching, irritation and swelling of the vagina and surrounding area, sometimes with a creamy white cottage cheese-like discharge.
Vaginal thrush is fairly harmless, but it can be uncomfortable and it can keep coming back, which is known as recurrent thrush.
Thrush is a yeast infection, usually caused by a yeast-like fungus called ‘Candida albicans’.
Many women have Candida in their vagina without it causing any symptoms. Hormones in vaginal secretions and ‘friendly’ vaginal bacteria keep the fungus under control. Problems arise when the natural balance in the vagina is upset and Candida multiplies.
Vaginal thrush can sometimes be passed on during sex but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection . However, if you have thrush its best to avoid having sex until youve completed a course of treatment and the infection has cleared up.
Increase In Vaginal Discharge
The amount of vaginal discharge and cervical mucus you secrete may increase throughout pregnancy. Hormonal changes causes this as well as the softening of the cervix and vaginal walls.
Discharge is designed to protect your vagina from infection, but it can irritate the skin of the vulva, making it red and itchy.
Read Also: Lice Treatment During Pregnancy
What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
Its normal to experience an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. In fact, the thin, milky, mild-smelling discharge you may notice when you’re pregnant is so common it has a name: leukorrhea.
The discharge you notice when you have a yeast infection is different, however. If you have a yeast infection, you may experience:
- White, lumpy, odorless discharge
Yeast infections can look and feel like other conditions, including a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or bacterial vaginosis, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms even if you have had a yeast infection in the past and believe you may have developed one again.
How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Diagnosed
In most cases, you can treat this complaint in the privacy of your own home and will soon know if you are suffering from a yeast infection of not by the improvement, or lack of, you are likely to experience. To firmly establish the diagnosis and to rule out any other underlying causes of the symptoms, your doctor will take a specimen, a smear test, scraped from the affected area for microscopic analysis or for culture in a laboratory. Identification of yeast under a microscope, when possible, is the least expensive and most rapid and accurate way to establish the diagnosis and in chronic cases I always recommend identification.
Early detection is important because you may have another condition that may present just like a yeast infection for example such as gardnerella, which is a bacterial infection and not a yeast infection.
You May Like: Can Donating Plasma Hurt An Unborn Baby
