At some time during their lives, most women will experience an irritating condition such as yeast infection. Vaginal infections are not uncommon in women, and yeast infections are especially prevalent. It seems that pregnancy and yeast infections are a fact of life for many women, you will be more susceptible to yeast infections and at the same time, there may be less you can do to prevent them.
When it comes to yeast infections, also known as monilial vaginitis and vaginal candidiasis, the fungus Candida is the main reason for the spreading of the disease. Women that suffer from vaginal yeast infections will find that the fungus called Candida albicans is the cause. This fungus occurs naturally in a woman’s body so a positive test result for Candida alone is not necessarily a cause for concern.
In terms of pregnancy, the hormones that support the changes in the body also encourage yeast infections. Not surprisingly, the body stores more glucose when a woman is pregnant to support the growing baby. But that means that yeast gets fed, too. Glycogen is how the body stores glucose. The glycogen feeds yeast, making you more likely to have a yeast infection. It might even make the yeast speed up growth and it could even make them adhere more closely to vaginal walls.
If you have been taking antibiotics for a period of time, the beneficial bacteria may be destroyed along with the harmful bacteria, allowing fungi to flourish in the body uncontrolled. As fungi grows rapidly and takes over, a yeast infection may develop.
Yeast infections can cause you to feel itchy, irritated, and cause a burning sensation in the genital area, which may also be red and sore. You might notice an odorless, white discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese as the yeast infection progresses. It might be wise not to engage in sexual relations during this time, as the infection may cause pain and it can be spread to others.
A positive thing in treating yeast infections with a pregnant woman is that many of the same treatments used in non pregnant women are available for pregnant woman. The best thing would be to consult with your doctor to be sure you obtain the best yeast infection medication for your condition and know of any side effects. It may be that an over-the-counter cream may be recommended by your doctor. Or, the doctor might have a special treatment program designed for pregnant women.
The good news is that a yeast infection in the mother will not have any affect on the developing fetus. It is believed that as much as 15% of all pregnant women end up suffering from a some yeast infection complaint during pregnancy. Indeed it may be difficult to avoid a yeast infection during pregnancy given the changes in the hormone levels. With this said, yeast infection during pregnancy doesn’t need to be worrying or miserable as it is fairly easy to treat quickly and successfully.