Pregnancy is not only a period of waiting for a baby, but also a time of serious changes in a woman’s body. Special attention should be paid to thrush during pregnancy and IVF, as according to medical statistics, up to 90% of expectant mothers experience this unpleasant condition. The peak incidence often occurs in the third trimester (end of pregnancy).
This disease, officially called vulvovaginal candidiasis, is caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (in the vast majority of cases, Candida albicans). It is important to understand that these microorganisms are conditionally pathogenic: they are normally present in the microflora of the vagina, intestines, and on the skin of most healthy people, but in minimal amounts. However, when conditions favorable to them arise, including pregnancy, the fungi begin to multiply uncontrollably, causing inflammation and significant discomfort.
Why do pregnant women get thrush: the main causes
The key factor that triggers the development of thrush is global hormonal changes. Hormones (in particular, progesterone), which are vital for the maintenance and normal development of pregnancy, create an environment conducive to the growth of fungal flora. Under their influence, the acidity of the vaginal environment changes and the level of glycogen in the epithelial cells increases, which serves as a nutrient medium for Candida.
In addition, pregnancy is a state of natural immunosuppression. A woman’s immunity is physiologically reduced so that the body does not reject the fetus. Unfortunately, the downside of this process is a weakening of the body’s defenses against infection, which contributes to the rapid development of candidiasis.
Risk differences: Natural conception vs. IVF
Candidiasis is a common companion to pregnancy regardless of the method of fertilization, but there are certain differences in risk factors.
- With natural conception: The development of infection is mainly due to standard hormonal changes and a physiological decrease in immune status characteristic of gestation.
- With assisted reproductive technology (IVF): The risks may be higher here. With extracorporeal fertilization, especially in protocols using donor oocytes (eggs), the female body experiences a tremendous hormonal load. Powerful support with hormonal drugs creates ideal conditions for the growth of pathogenic flora.
- A special risk group: Women undergoing protocols with double donation. When considering IVF with egg donation for thrush, doctors note that in these cases, the hormonal background is under complete external control of drugs, which is a strong stress for the body. The situation is often exacerbated by accompanying factors characteristic of patients at reproductive clinics: excess weight (obesity), carbohydrate metabolism disorders (diabetes or insulin resistance), and a history of frequent antibiotic use.
What is the real danger of thrush during pregnancy?
Many women ask themselves: does it harm the baby? The fungal infection Candida itself rarely crosses the placental barrier and, as a rule, does not pose a direct threat to the life of the fetus and does not cause miscarriage. However, the disease cannot be ignored for a number of serious reasons:
- Complications during childbirth. Prolonged inflammation makes the vaginal tissues loose, swollen, and less elastic. This significantly increases the risk of deep perineal and vaginal tears during the passage of the baby through the birth canal. In addition, sutures on inflamed tissues heal much worse and take longer.
- Risk of infection for the newborn. There is a possibility of transmitting the fungus to the baby during childbirth, which can lead to candidiasis of the skin or mucous membranes (thrush in the mouth) in the baby.
- Bacterial infection. This is the most serious consequence. Against the background of chronic, untreated thrush, the protective barrier is disrupted, which opens the door to bacterial vaginosis and other infections. Bacterial complications are directly associated with an increased risk of premature birth, premature rupture of membranes, and intrauterine infection of the fetus.
Clinical picture: Symptoms
The symptoms of thrush can be pronounced or mild, but most often it causes significant discomfort. The signs may be similar to other infections, so self-diagnosis is not acceptable.
The main symptoms include:
- Characteristic discharge: It may be white, curd-like (thick) or, conversely, watery and white-yellow.
- Specific odor: The discharge often has an unpleasant sour smell.
- Discomfort: Severe, sometimes unbearable itching and burning in the external genital area and vagina, which intensifies in the evening or after bathing.
- Dysuric disorders: Pain or burning during urination (due to urine coming into contact with the inflamed mucous membrane).
Important! An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a gynecologist based on an examination and laboratory tests (smear test, bacterial culture).
Features of treatment for expectant mothers
The treatment of candidiasis during pregnancy requires a special approach and caution. Systemic drugs (tablets for oral administration), which are often used in everyday life, are usually contraindicated for pregnant women due to the risk of affecting the fetus.
Doctors prescribe only local therapy:
- Vaginal suppositories (pessaries);
- Vaginal tablets;
- Creams and ointments.
The choice of a specific drug, its dosage, and the duration of the course depend on the stage of pregnancy (trimester) and the individual clinical picture. Self-medication is strictly prohibited!
Recommendations for lifestyle and hygiene
Drug treatment will be ineffective without adherence to hygiene rules and lifestyle changes. To speed up recovery and prevent recurrence, follow these rules:
- Sexual abstinence. During treatment, it is recommended to refrain from sexual activity in order not to traumatize the inflamed mucous membrane and avoid re-infection (the “ping-pong effect” with your partner).
- Proper underwear. Wear only loose cotton underwear. Synthetics and lace create a “greenhouse effect” that fungi love.
- No thongs. Tight underwear promotes the mechanical transfer of bacteria from the intestines to the vagina, exacerbating dysbiosis.
- Hygiene. Give up daily panty liners, as they interfere with air exchange. If you can’t do without them, change them after each visit to the toilet.
- Diet. Candida fungi feed on glucose. Eliminate sugar, baked goods, and sweet carbonated drinks from your diet.
- Support the microflora. Enrich your diet with natural fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt without additives), as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Discipline. Strictly follow all doctor’s orders and complete the course of treatment, even if the symptoms disappear earlier.
Timely medical attention and proper treatment can quickly relieve symptoms, avoid complications, and preserve the health of the mother and her unborn child.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about thrush during pregnancy
1. Can thrush harm the baby in the womb? The Candida fungus rarely penetrates the fetal membranes directly, so the risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus with thrush is minimal. However, vaginal inflammation can provoke an ascending bacterial infection, which is dangerous for the baby. Therefore, it is essential to treat thrush.
2. Does my husband (partner) need treatment? If your partner has no symptoms (itching, redness, discharge from the genitals), treatment is usually not necessary. However, in some cases, your doctor may recommend that your partner use a cream to eliminate the risk of re-infection.
3. Can I use folk remedies (baking soda, herbs)? Douching with baking soda or herbs during pregnancy is strictly not recommended without a doctor’s prescription. This can disrupt the already fragile balance of microflora, dry out the mucous membrane, or even provoke a threat of miscarriage (due to mechanical impact). Trust only pharmacy products that are approved for pregnant women.
4. Why does thrush come back even after treatment? Recurrences are often associated with the fact that the cause (hormonal background and reduced immunity) persists throughout pregnancy. Other causes may include poor diet (excessive consumption of sweets), wearing synthetic fabrics, or incomplete previous treatment.
5. Will thrush go away on its own after childbirth? After childbirth, a woman’s hormonal balance stabilizes and her immunity is restored. In many women, episodes of candidiasis stop on their own after the body recovers. However, it is not possible to leave an active infection at the time of delivery due to the risk of tissue tears.