Add increased amounts of vaginal discharge to the list of physical changes that occur during pregnancy. The amount and type of discharge you have may increase because of hormonal changes and changes to your cervix. A thin, clear, or white discharge that has no odor or is mild-smelling is normal.
However, vaginal discharge can also be a sign of a yeast infection.
Yeast Infection and Pregnancy: A Common Combination
“Yeast infections can be common in pregnancy,” says Fahimeh Sasan, DO, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
During pregnancy, women should discuss their symptoms with their doctor if:
- Their vaginal discharge becomes yellow or green or is white, thick, and curd-like.
- The vaginal lips itch or burn.
Yeast Infection and Pregnancy: The Perfect Environment
A common cause of vaginal yeast infections in women is the fungus called Candida albicans. During pregnancy, the micro environment of the vagina changes to some extent in response to increased estrogen levels, Dr. Sasan says.
Yeast Infection and Pregnancy: Don’t Make Assumptions
If a pregnant woman experiences unusual vaginal discharge during pregnancy, she should see her doctor to exclude bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) rather than assume it is a yeast infection, Sasan says. STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, will not respond to treatments for vaginitis and can cause complications during the pregnancy. “Each STD should be tested for and treated by a doctor, as treatments for various STDs are unique to the particular infection,” Sasan says.
The safest treatments for yeast infections during pregnancy are suppositories and vaginal creams. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should not take an oral prescription medication for yeast infections, as they have not been proved safe.
While yeast infections generally don't put a pregnancy at risk, they can be very uncomfortable. If you think you have a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy, it should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. “While yeast infections are common, it is important for your doctor to evaluate you to rule out other causes or sources of infection,” Sasan says. “I encourage my patients to always contact me whenever they are having any issues during pregnancy. This way we can work together to help resolve her symptoms."
Yeast Infection and Pregnancy: Prevent Recurrence
Treatment generally takes between seven and 10 days to clear the infection. In the meantime, you should also take precautions to help prevent the yeast infection from returning:
- Keep the area around the vagina as dry and clean as possible. Yeast likes warm, moist, airless environments.
- Wear cotton rather than spandex or nylon underwear because cotton absorbs moisture better.
- Do not wear tight pantyhose, especially when it’s hot.
- Always wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement.
The list of concerns that occupies a pregnant woman’s mind is naturally long — dealing with a yeast infection shouldn’t be on it. If you see the signs of a developing yeast infection, talk with your doctor. And remember, it’s never a good idea to self-diagnose when you’re expecting.