You may have heard about yeast infection before, but your actual knowledge about this condition may be quite limited, inaccurate, or even next to nothing. If you or someone you know is pregnant, it’s more important to learn the basic facts about yeast infection, as pregnancy puts anyone at higher risk of contracting this disease.
Yeast infection defined
This infection is caused by an increase in the number of the fungus, usually Candida albicans that is found normally in a woman’s vaginal canal. This fungal overgrowth frequently occurs when the acidic environment of the vagina or the body’s hormonal balance is disturbed.
Factors causing yeast infection
Hormonal changes are commonly implicated as one of the major factors leading to yeast infection. Hence, pregnancy which involves alterations in hormone levels poses a risk for this condition. Other risk factors include taking oral contraceptive pills, antibiotics or steroidal drugs, elevated levels of blood sugar and douching.
Why are pregnant women more at risk?
As mentioned above, due to the changes in hormone levels (especially estrogen) during pregnancy, pregnant women are more prone to develop yeast infection. This is because elevated hormone levels increase the carbohydrate content of the vaginal cells, which in turn serve to provide a rich environment for yeast to overgrow.
Yeast exists in two distinct forms. It can be in a form of a small, round or oval-shaped spore, or in an elongated stem called a hypha, which holds the spore inside. The hypha form has long been believed to be the infectious type (causes infection). The hormone estrogen which increases during pregnancy promotes attachment of yeast to the vaginal cells and then assumes the form of a hypha leading to vaginitis.
But although pregnancy is generally considered a risk factor for yeast infection, results of some studies have shown that this risk does not significantly vary from that of other female population. There are a number of women who don’t contract this infection throughout their pregnancy.
Furthermore, it was found that most yeast infections in pregnant women occur as a result of other independent factors such as engaging in bubble baths, using harsh soaps or thongs, skin diseases, and the like.
Yeast infection treatment during pregnancy
Your doctor can only advise you to use vaginal creams and suppositories, as oral antifungal medications like Diflucan hasn’t been established to be safe in pregnant or lactating women.
If left untreated, yeast infection may be passed on to your baby’s mouth (called oral thrush) during delivery. Nystatin can effectively treat this condition.
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Remedy For A Yeast Infection
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