Medical expert of the article
New publications
Bitter mouth in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
During pregnancy, a woman's body is rebuilt. The functions of all organs change. The most insignificant changes can cause discomfort to the expectant mother. During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal background changes, which causes unusual sensations. Each sign can lead to serious health problems. Bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy is a fairly common phenomenon, which is really common in expectant mothers. But such prevalence does not eliminate the need to consult a doctor, namely a gastroenterologist.
In the later stages, bitterness in the mouth and unpleasant belching are an even more common phenomenon, which is a consequence of the internal minor and temporary displacement of the woman's organs associated with the growth of the fetus.
[ 1 ]
Reasons
The causes of bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy can be different and related to both natural changes in the woman's body and to improper nutrition or taking harmful drugs or vitamins. One of the causes of bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy can be improper functioning of the esophagus or stomach (gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, duodenitis). Often these diseases are accompanied by pain in the stomach. With an increase in the amount of the hormone progesterone, the valve that separates the esophagus and stomach weakens. It begins to pass gastric juice into the esophagus, as a result of which the woman feels bitterness in the mouth.
Another reason for bitterness in the mouth is improper functioning of the intestines (various types of colitis). Under the influence of progesterone, intestinal motility is disrupted and digestion slows down, which causes unpleasant sensations. During pregnancy, taste buds often change, they become more sensitive. This can cause a feeling of bitterness in the mouth. The next reason is poor functioning of the pancreas (pancreatitis), liver and gallbladder (acute and chronic cholecystitis). You need to be careful when taking various medications and vitamins. If some component does not suit you, the body reacts to an unnecessary or even harmful drug with bitterness in the mouth.
Symptoms
In order for the attending physician to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to observe the appearance of all changes and sensations in the body of the expectant mother. Sometimes a bitter taste in the mouth appears in the morning or after eating. In some cases, this is not the cause of any disease. Often, when eating fatty and spicy foods, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth occurs. If this taste lasts longer than five hours after eating, these may be symptoms of health problems. The appearance of such a symptom may precede diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. After physical exertion, the expectant mother may feel a tingling in the right side. This may be a symptom of liver dysfunction, and the first sign will be an unpleasant bitterness in the mouth.
A possible cause of this symptom is ontological problems. You need to worry when bitterness in the mouth is felt constantly. This can lead to gallstone disease, cholecystitis, endocrine diseases. Short-term bitterness can be caused by stress or poor nutrition. You also need to monitor your oral cavity. If a pregnant woman has gum disease and inflammation, metal crowns and stomatitis, then this symptom may appear. Also, in case of poisoning with heavy metals, the first symptom is bitterness. In the late stages of pregnancy, with active growth of the fetus, a woman experiences discomfort and often feels bitterness in the mouth. The child grows in the abdomen and when there is not enough space, it presses on the urinary bladder and stomach, which disrupts the functions of these organs.
Diagnostics
Only your attending physician should diagnose bitterness in the mouth. Of course, the presence of bitterness is not always a sign of a serious disease, but it is necessary to undergo diagnostics to be sure that nothing threatens the expectant mother and baby. To diagnose bitterness in the mouth, you need to take tests. First of all, the attending physician should refer you for an examination to a gastroenterologist. In turn, the specialist will prescribe tests and, after receiving the results, diagnose the presence of the disease. Be sure to consult with your dentist.
A doctor's diagnostics will confirm or refute the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. An endocrinologist can also help diagnose bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy. If there is such a symptom, you will be prescribed a blood test for sugar and your hormonal background will be checked.
Who to contact?
Treatment
Treatment of bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy can be varied. Everything depends on the diagnosed disease. If a pregnant woman's taste sensations change, this may be due to stress. Then you need to treat the nervous system and take sedatives. When the cause is in the oral cavity, the dentist may prescribe a mouth rinse.
For prevention, you can rinse with chamomile infusion or hold vegetable oil in your mouth for a few minutes. If a pregnant woman is found to have gastrointestinal problems, then the gastroenterologist will prescribe individual treatment. First of all, the pregnant woman needs to normalize her diet, perhaps limit herself in the consumption of some products. The doctor may prescribe herbal tea. For example, herbal teas from calendula, chamomile, flax seeds, rose hips, viburnum, mint, currant or elderberry. Often, to treat bitterness in the mouth, it is recommended to take bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. The attending physician may prescribe body cleansing. To eliminate bitterness in the mouth, you need to cleanse the liver and bile ducts.
Prevention
To prevent bitterness in the mouth, first of all, you need to monitor your diet. You should not eat spicy, sour, fatty foods. You need to be careful with baked goods, sweet pastries, fried meat, rich soups. Also, some vegetables can cause bitterness in the mouth. For prevention, you need to exclude horseradish, radishes, garlic, onions. Watch and control what you drink. For prevention, you need to give up tea and coffee, do not abuse carbonated drinks.
Do not skip dental checkups. This is also a preventative measure against bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy. Even if nothing bothers you, the doctor will examine you and carry out preventative measures.
We should always be aware that our lifestyle affects our health, and this is especially true for pregnant women. For prevention, it is imperative to give up alcohol and smoking and, no less important, protect yourself from stress.
Forecast
It is very difficult to predict bitterness in the mouth during pregnancy. Everything is very individual. Each woman's body reacts to pregnancy in its own way. One mother may have bitterness in the mouth throughout the entire pregnancy, while another may not have it at all. It is impossible to make a forecast. Unless the pregnant woman had health problems before pregnancy or did not know about them.