Breast thrush in early pregnancy: causes, symptoms, whether dangerous

Thrush: there is probably no woman who does not know about this unpleasant disease. Fungal candidiasis, also known as yeast colpitis, also known as thrush, is a widespread disease caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. Thrush is quite difficult to cure, since the causative fungus is normally present in the vaginal environment - however, in an inactive, non-pathogenic state. Thrush in early pregnancy is of particular concern to women, because this period is very important, since not only her own health, but also the health of her future baby largely depends on the expectant mother.

What can be done to ease the condition of a pregnant woman who has contracted thrush? Is it possible to treat such a disease during pregnancy?

Is thrush dangerous in early pregnancy?

Today, doctors already have enough evidence that thrush does not pose any potential danger, either for the developing fetus or for the proper course of pregnancy.

Moreover, if the disease does not cause any significant discomfort to the expectant mother, then its treatment can be postponed.

However, if the disease manifests itself with all the signs of an inflammatory process, and the woman complains of itching, the presence of discharge, etc., then it is necessary to conduct a minimal course of local antifungal treatment. Systemic use of antifungal drugs is contraindicated for pregnant women - only drugs in the form of suppositories can be used. Of course, such treatment cannot be radical - the disease can soon return. But a woman can undergo a full course of antifungal therapy only after the baby is born.

Epidemiology

According to medical statistics, more than 70% of women have experienced discomfort from vaginal candidiasis, or thrush, at least once in their lives.

More than 80% of expectant mothers experience thrush during pregnancy.

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Causes thrush in early pregnancy

Thrush appears quite often in the very early stages of pregnancy. Why?

• With the beginning of a new physiological period in a woman's life, a strong redistribution of the hormonal background occurs - this is necessary to maintain pregnancy and normal development of the fetus. The hormonal balance shifts towards gestagens, which, among other things, create favorable conditions for the growth of fungal infection.
• In the early stages, all pregnant women experience a weakened immune system. Some catch a cold during this period, while others begin to suffer from candidiasis. Therefore, one of the important aspects of preventing thrush is maintaining a normal immune system.

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Risk factors

The above reasons are considered the main ones in the mechanism of development of thrush. However, it is necessary to pay attention to individual risk factors that can also serve as a trigger in the development of a fungal infection during pregnancy:

• inadequate or limited nutrition, with little intake of vitamins and minerals;
• frequently recurring colds, low hemoglobin levels, unstable blood sugar levels, various endocrine diseases;
• chronic colpitis;
• chaotic, frequent or regular use of antibiotics.

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Pathogenesis

Fungi belonging to the genus Candida are opportunistic microorganisms that widely populate the external environment, vegetating mainly in the soil, on fruit trees, and on fruits.

In the form of saprophytes, fungi can be found on the skin and mucous membranes, as well as in the feces of every fifth healthy person.

The transition of a conditionally pathogenic fungus into a pathogenic form is facilitated by external and internal factors.

External factors may include:

• climate features, high humidity;
• mechanical irritation of the mucous membranes.

Internal factors are considered to be:

• metabolic diseases;
• deficiency of certain vitamins in the body;
• any immunodeficiency conditions;
• prolonged or uncontrolled treatment with antibiotics, hormones, cytostatics, etc.

Often, the activation of fungi at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with the onset of early toxicosis in a woman: the weakened female body suffers especially during this period. Poor nutrition, weight loss, anemia, suppression of immunity - this is not a complete list of symptoms accompanying early toxicosis. All this leads to the fact that the body's own defense fails, and the fungal infection is activated.

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Symptoms thrush in early pregnancy

The main signs of thrush in the early stages are considered to be:

• significant volumes of light discharge from the genital tract (usually in the form of sour cottage cheese);
• cheesy or creamy nature of discharge;
• burning and itching sensation in the genital area;
• discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse;
• unpleasant sensation and pain when urinating, sour smell.

Externally, the first signs are expressed in redness and swelling of the vaginal mucosa. In advanced situations, microcracks, small and large erosions appear on the mucous membranes.

A competent doctor can make a correct diagnosis already during a routine examination, but he will definitely prescribe laboratory diagnostics. For example, a discharge culture can be very informative: this analysis will allow not only to determine the species of the pathogen, but also to test its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. Therefore, diagnostics are very important, first of all, in order to prescribe appropriate effective treatment.

Thrush in early pregnancy before missed period

If pregnancy occurs while treating thrush with systemic medications, and such antifungal therapy ends within 2 weeks before the first day of a missed period, then most often the pregnancy proceeds without any problems.

If antifungal medications were taken after 2 weeks of pregnancy, then you should immediately consult an obstetrician-gynecologist and geneticist. Only a doctor can decide on subsequent pregnancy management tactics. It is generally accepted that up to 12 weeks the fetus is especially vulnerable to the effects of various factors, and especially medications.

Thrush as a sign of early pregnancy

Despite the fact that thrush very often begins during pregnancy, this disease cannot be considered as a sign of pregnancy itself. Thrush is only a sign of an imbalance of microflora in the vaginal cavity - and this can happen both during pregnancy and without it.

The initial signs of pregnancy may include:

• delayed menstruation;
• pulling sensation in the lower abdomen;
• nausea - especially in the morning, or at the sight of food;
• daytime sleepiness;
• "swelling" of the mammary glands;
• mood swings;
• frequent urination.

To confirm whether you are pregnant, it is best to consult a doctor and have your blood tested for laboratory analysis.

Complications and consequences

What can happen if thrush that occurs in the early stages is not treated?

• Long-term candidiasis can lead to decreased elasticity of vaginal tissues. What this threatens: birth ruptures, long-term treatment.
• During childbirth, a fungal infection can get onto the baby's mucous membrane.
• Weakened immunity due to a fungal infection can cause the development of other diseases, such as frequent colds, intestinal diseases and upper respiratory tract diseases.

Contrary to popular belief, spontaneous abortion due to untreated thrush is extremely rare. The effect of thrush on early pregnancy is negative only in isolated cases. As a rule, if a woman consults a doctor in time, any manifestations and complications of thrush are eliminated and prevented.

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Diagnostics thrush in early pregnancy

Of course, the doctor will not diagnose thrush based only on the woman's complaints and the results of a visual examination. It is very important to conduct laboratory diagnostics:

• for identification of yeast-like fungus Candida;
• to exclude sexually transmitted infections;
• to assess the quality of vaginal microflora.

In women, material for analysis can be taken directly from the vaginal mucosa, from the cervical canal, or from the urethra.

The doctor may resort to using the following types of diagnostics:

• microscopic examination of a vaginal smear;
• PCR diagnostics (helps to identify the DNA of the fungal pathogen);
• vaginal microflora culture (determines the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to medications).

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis should be carried out with diseases such as bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, genital herpes and trichomoniasis.

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Treatment thrush in early pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life, during which it is not recommended to carry out treatment with systemic medications, as this can cause irreparable harm to the unborn child. This principle is also relevant for thrush: the use of antifungal tablets and capsules during pregnancy is unacceptable.

The first thing the doctor will pay attention to is the woman’s compliance with basic hygiene rules: daily shower, change of underwear, use of individual washcloths and towels.

A woman's diet is also of great importance. It is necessary to eliminate all sweets, pastries, spicy and fatty dishes from the diet. All of the listed products create favorable conditions for the development of a fungal infection and change the pH of the vagina to the acidic side.

In mild cases of thrush during pregnancy, sometimes dietary changes and hygiene rules may be enough to make the disease subside. Also, during the treatment period, it is necessary to ensure sexual rest - to avoid additional trauma to the already damaged mucous membrane.

Internal use of medications and douching in early pregnancy is strictly prohibited!

Only local treatment with ointments and suppositories is used. Pimafucin suppositories are considered the most "harmless". Many patients experience thrush after two or three suppositories, but doctors advise completing the course of therapy.

If there was a case of thrush in the early stages, doctors recommend a second course of treatment shortly before delivery to avoid complications for the future child. The woman's sexual partner should also undergo treatment.

Remedies for thrush in early pregnancy

During early pregnancy, treatment is only allowed with local preparations containing Pimafucin or Nystatin - these preparations are non-toxic and have a good antifungal effect.

In addition to antifungal agents, doctors may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs and antiseptics for thrush, such as such common remedies as brilliant green solution and borax solution in glycerin. These drugs can be used in the early stages: one of them is applied to a gauze tampon, which is then used to treat the vaginal walls. This treatment can last about a week.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe vitamins for pregnant women, because thrush is one of the signs of a weakened immune system that needs to be strengthened.

All medicinal and non-medicinal means should be prescribed only by a doctor who takes into account the characteristics of the pregnant woman and the duration of pregnancy.

Self-treatment of thrush in the early stages of pregnancy can be fatal.

Candles for thrush in early pregnancy

Preparation	Features of application
Pimafucin suppositories	Apply one suppository into the vagina before bedtime for six days in a row.
Betadine suppositories	Use one suppository before bedtime for six days.
Nystatin vaginal suppositories	Apply one suppository vaginally in the morning and evening for 10 days.
Hexicon vaginal suppositories	Apply one suppository vaginally at night for two weeks.

Miramistin for thrush in early pregnancy

Miramistin is an affordable and effective antiseptic used for external treatment of the vagina. The drug is practically not absorbed into the systemic circulation, so it can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To eliminate thrush in the early stages, Miramistin is applied to a tampon, which is used to wipe the vaginal walls daily for five to seven days. As a rule, the effect of Miramistin becomes noticeable after 1-2 applications.

Occasionally, a burning sensation in the vagina may occur after the procedure. However, this sensation goes away on its own within 20 seconds and is considered normal.

If after using the drug there is prolonged itching, redness of the skin, dryness of the mucous membrane - these may be signs of an allergy. In such a situation, you should stop using this drug and be sure to consult a doctor.

Physiotherapy treatment

The use of physiotherapy to treat thrush in the early stages is a controversial issue, to which there is currently no clear answer. Theoretically, doctors allow the use of therapeutic physical factors during pregnancy, because pregnant women are prohibited from taking medications, and without them it is sometimes difficult to cure the disease. With the help of physiotherapy, it is possible to administer small doses of drugs, reducing the degree of negative impact on the fetus.

However, is it really necessary to treat thrush? The vast majority of doctors insist that the symptoms of thrush in the early stages can be completely eliminated by using local medications, without resorting to systemic effects - including without resorting to electrophoresis and other physiotherapeutic methods. Indeed, physiotherapy can be an excellent way to eliminate pelvic pain, to restore the body after a cesarean section, to treat postpartum hemorrhoids. In many cases, the use of such treatment methods is irrational for thrush.

Folk remedies

In the early stages of pregnancy, you can use folk methods to combat thrush. These methods include:

• douching with a decoction of oak bark (add 2 tablespoons of oak bark to 200 ml of boiling water, boil for five minutes and leave for three hours under a lid);
• washing with calendula infusion (1 teaspoon of calendula is poured with 200 ml of boiling water and left for at least 15 minutes);
• washing with a soda solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda per 200 ml of warm water);
• sitz baths with soda and iodine (2 heaping teaspoons of soda and a few drops of iodine per liter of warm water).

The listed methods are not always able to completely cure thrush. But they always help to significantly alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman.

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Herbal treatment

Before choosing medicinal herbs for the treatment of thrush in the early stages, you need to make sure that they have the following properties:

• stop the development of the inflammatory process;
• disinfect;
• heal;
• increase the pH of the environment;
• soothe irritated mucous membranes;
• non-toxic.

Doctors advise paying special attention to the following common plants:

• Chamomile flower – relieves inflammation, normalizes the state of microflora. Chamomile infusion can be taken internally, used for washing or sitz baths.
• St. John's wort is an astringent and anti-inflammatory plant that is often combined with chamomile flowers and oak bark. During pregnancy, taking St. John's wort infusion internally is contraindicated, but the plant is perfect for douching.
• Calendula - inhibits the development of pathogenic microbes, heals microdamages of mucous membranes. To enhance the effect, calendula can be combined with chamomile flowers and yarrow: the infusion is used for lotions, rinsing and irrigation.
• Sage is a plant with tanning, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and analgesic properties. Sage is ideal for douching, baths and lotions for thrush. However, douching with sage and taking the decoction internally are contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Yarrow is a hemostatic and healing plant that is used externally for douching.

It should not be forgotten that medicinal plants are also medicines, so they should not be abused. If the treatment is carried out by washing, then it is enough to do one washing in the morning and the second at night. Douching and taking medicinal infusions and decoctions internally in the early stages are prohibited.

Homeopathy

There are no general recommendations regarding the treatment of thrush in the early stages using homeopathy - many know that such drugs are prescribed strictly individually. However, it is possible to single out a number of homeopathic remedies that are often used to treat this disease.

Particularly popular drugs in this area are Acidum nitricum 30 and Mercurius solubilis 30. They are taken one grain in the morning and one in the evening according to the scheme: in the morning - the first drug, and in the evening - the second. After the first improvement is noticeable, the frequency of administration should be gradually reduced: at first, take the medicine daily, then every other day, then twice a week, once a week, until you can completely stop taking it. And vice versa - if after taking the drug there is no improvement, then you need to gradually increase the dosage to 2-5 grains. You should not take more than five grains per dose: if there is no effect with this dose, then you need to see a doctor and replace the drug with another.

Possible replacement options for the listed drugs: Natrium Muraticum, Sulfur, Calendula, Aconitum in a dilution of 6.

Prevention

Prevention is necessary, first of all, for those who belong to the risk group - these are patients with diabetes, immunodeficiency states, as well as those who have recently been treated with hormones or antibiotics.

Pregnant women should limit contact with possible sources of infection, observe personal hygiene rules, and promptly prevent the development of diseases of the genitourinary and digestive systems.

• Self-medication of any diseases is prohibited, especially during pregnancy. Self-diagnosis is also not welcomed.
• A woman should use only natural underwear, without synthetic elements, since such material impairs the natural ventilation of the skin and creates conditions for the development and reproduction of infection.
• Douching should not be performed unless recommended by your doctor: during such a procedure, beneficial bacteria that maintain a normal environment in the vagina are washed out along with the solution.
• Tampons should not be used.

Doctors advise women to exclude sweet, rich and fatty foods from their menu: the fungus "loves" high sugar and carbohydrate content in the blood and tissues. It is also necessary to limit the consumption of yeast bread and certain types of hard cheeses.

The consumption of fermented milk products and natural yoghurts is encouraged.

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Forecast

In most cases, early thrush does not pose a danger to the mother and her future baby. But this does not mean that the disease should be ignored. Candidiasis is an infection, so it must be treated to prevent complications. But when to carry out treatment - during pregnancy, closer to the end of pregnancy, or after childbirth - the doctor must decide.

Of course, if the disease progresses, it is necessary to carry out all the treatment measures permitted during this period to avoid the spread of the infection and its transmission to the child. It often happens that the mother transmits the infection to the baby during childbirth: as a result, the baby develops mucous candidiasis, which affects feeding and the general well-being of the newborn.

However, before starting treatment, you must definitely get advice from a doctor. Thrush in early pregnancy is not a reason for independent experiments. It is in the early stages that the use of any medications is most dangerous and unpredictable.

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