Thrush And Pregnancy
All About Thrush and Pregnancy
For many women, thrush and pregnancy seem to go hand in hand. Though it is a common disorder, if a pregnant suspects she may have thrush, it is strongly recommended that she consults her doctor for a treatment that will not be harmful to the developing baby.
Thrush is, quite simply, a yeast infection. Women in particular are afflicted by yeast infections, which can affect just about any part of the body. The term “thrush” is commonly used when the yeast infection develops in the mouth, but it is also frequently a vaginal infection as well. It is caused when the fungus called Candida albicans builds up on the inner linings of the mouth or vagina. For some undetermined reason, pregnant women seem to be more vulnerable to develop this type of infection as a vaginal disorder.
Symptoms will vary, depending upon the location of the infection. For oral thrush, creamy white patches become evident on the inside of the cheeks and the tongue. Occasionally, it will spread to the roof of the mouth, back of the throat and the gums as well. These patches may bleed if the whitish covering is scraped and may be painful. When the infection invades the vagina, the situation becomes more uncomfortable and problematic. Severe itching is one of the most common symptoms, along with a burning sensation and general irritation. The yeast infection does not contain itself to the inner part of the vagina, but may also spread to the inner thighs. While there is no exact cause known to connect thrush and pregnancy, it is known that the prevalent overuse of antibiotics has the tendency to kill good bacteria in the vagina; leaving the path wide open for yeast to take over. Ideal conditions for the growth of yeast are moist, dark, warm areas, which is exactly the conditions found in the vagina. Another theory is that an imbalance of hormones can affect the acidity in the vagina, creating the perfect environment for a yeast infection.
Pregnant women in particular must be extremely careful about the medications they take. Many types of medications that are normally perfectly safe for use by women can become dangerous and debilitating to the vulnerable fetus under development in the pregnant woman’s womb. Although the woman may recognize the symptoms of yeast infections from a previous encounter, she cannot attempt to self treat the disorder when pregnant. Only her doctor can accurately diagnose the condition, which can mimic other diseases symptomatically. The most common types of treatments for yeast infections contain strong chemicals and may not be appropriate for the pregnant woman. The doctor will likely prescribe a topical cream in a milder form than usual to ensure its safe use.
A woman with a history of developing yeast infections should take steps to prevent them when she learns that she is pregnant. There are very beneficial methods of fending off the build up of yeast in the system, the most familiar to most is simply the consumption of yogurt containing live cultures. Maintaining a healthy diet that is high in protein, vegetables and whole grains, keeping the genital area dry and wearing underclothes that breathe well, such as cotton crotch panties are all methods of keeping the infection at bay. Since thrush and pregnancy are commonly linked, at the earliest confirmation of the pregnancy steps should be taken to prevent any likelihood of the infection.
It cannot be stressed enough that pregnant women must not attempt to treat a yeast infection themselves. Only a medical professional has the experience and knowledge to know which preparations could present a hazard to the unborn baby.