With so much going on down there already, the last thing you need is an itchy yeast infection when you're expecting. Unfortunately, soaring estrogen levels that come with having a bun in the oven can increase your risk of having one, making yeast infections the most common vaginal infection during pregnancy.
In fact, nearly 75 percent of all adult women have had at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The good news: While uncomfortable for the mother-to-be, yeast infections don’t affect your pregnancy or your growing baby, and safe treatment options are available.
What causes yeast infections during pregnancy?
Vaginal yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida. Although it lives in the vagina normally, an imbalance in bacteria and yeast can allow Candida to overgrow, leading to symptoms of a yeast infection.
Women are more likely to develop yeast infections at times when they are experiencing fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during pregnancy, while taking oral contraceptives or due to estrogen therapy. Taking certain types of antibiotics can also up your risk, as can having diabetes or a condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV.
What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?
It’s 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
- Itching and burning of the area outside of your vagina (called the vulva)
- Your vulva may look red and swollen
- Painful urination
Some women also experience discomfort during intercourse when they have a yeast infection.
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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 to prevent yeast infections during pregnancy
While you can’t control your hormones (wouldn’t that be nice!), you can take a few steps to prevent yeast infections during pregnancy. Some tactics to try:
- Excess moisture can exasperate an imbalance, making your vagina a more welcoming environment for fungal growth. Wear cotton undergarments that allow your genital area to "breathe."
- Try sleeping without underwear or pajama bottoms at night to allow for increased air flow.
- Take showers instead of baths (especially bubble baths, since they can be irritating).
- Never douche or use vaginal sprays or deodorants.
- Avoid sitting around in a wet bathing suit.
- After showering or swimming, make sure your genital area is completely dry before putting on your underwear and clothes.
- Take antibiotics only when prescribed by your doctor and use them exactly as directed.
Adding yogurt containing live probiotic cultures might also help to keep symptoms at bay, and you can ask your doctor whether they recommend a probiotic supplement.
Some women with chronic yeast infections also find it helpful to cut back on foods that feed yeast, such as sugar and baked goods that are made with refined flour.
How to treat a yeast infection when you're pregnant
Even if you’ve had yeast infections before and are a pro at self-diagnosing, it’s best to call your provider before using an over-the-counter medication. Why? Some women who think they have a yeast infection actually have a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, and a yeast infection medication will only prolong the issue.
If you have a yeast infection, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal cream or vaginal suppository. The following over-the-counter and prescription yeast infection treatments are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but be sure to check with your practitioner before starting treatment.
- Clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin AF)
- Miconazole (Monistat 3)
- Terconazole
Some prescription antifungals, such as fluconazole (Diflucan), may be prescribed if necessary, but some doctors recommend avoiding them, especially in the first trimester.
Keep in mind that these treatments may take several days before they bring relief, and that even when you do start to feel better, you should continue to use the medication for as long as your practitioner suggested — which may be a week or more.
Can a yeast infection during pregnancy affect your baby?
Fortunately, yeast infections aren’t dangerous (and they're rarely more than an irritating inconvenience). But if you have a yeast infection when you go into labor, it is possible to pass it to your baby during delivery, since the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections can also cause thrush, a type of yeast infection that typically appears in the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth and/or insides of the cheeks.
In this case, your newborn might develop white patches in the mouth, which can be passed back to you when you breastfeed. Luckily, thrush is easily treated with a mild antifungal medication for baby and an antifungal cream for you.
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