Treatment of thrush in pregnancy: the safest remedies

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy, i.e. vaginal candidiasis, is complicated by the fact that most pharmacological agents that act on Candida albicans and Candida glabrata fungi are either contraindicated for pregnant women or have restrictions on use at a specific stage of pregnancy.

Gynecologists know how to cure thrush in a pregnant woman, so let's see what they recommend.

Medicines for the treatment of thrush during pregnancy

It should be noted that medications for the treatment of thrush during pregnancy are divided into systemic agents (they are taken orally) and local agents.

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy is carried out at home, but a specific remedy should be prescribed by a gynecologist observing the pregnant woman. As a rule, these are local drugs - vaginal suppositories or tablets, ointments or creams.

Take note right away: Betadine antiseptic suppositories are contraindicated for pregnant women, although you may come across the statement that “this is one of the few drugs permitted in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.” This is not true: the drug contains povidone-iodine, which has a clear contraindication for use in the treatment of pregnant and lactating women, because it acts longer than iodine and can penetrate the placental barrier, causing damage to the thyroid gland in the fetus.

Pregnant women should not use suppositories for thrush that contain Metronidazole or Fluconazole as the active ingredient. The well-known antifungal drug Nystatin is a polyene antibiotic and leads to the death of Candida fungi, completely disrupting the water-electrolyte metabolism of their cells. And although this drug is almost not adsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, it is contraindicated to use Nystatin tablets internally during pregnancy. And suppositories with nystatin can be prescribed to pregnant women only according to indications: in cases of extensive fungal infection of the vagina (insert one suppository twice a day). However, this remedy treats thrush in the 2nd-3rd trimesters of gestation. Vaginal globules Terzhinan contain nystatin and can be used in the same way as Nystatin suppositories.

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy in the 1st trimester should be carried out no earlier than 12-13 weeks. Usually, women treat the vaginal mucosa daily with a 20% glycerin solution of borax (sodium tetraborate). Also, according to strict indications, vaginal globules are prescribed, for example, Pimafucin suppositories containing the macrolide antibiotic natamycin, which are considered the safest remedy, including when treatment of thrush during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester is required. Suppositories are inserted into the vagina - one suppository once a day (at night); the duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor and can be up to seven days. It is also possible to use applications with a solution of Natamycin.

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester can be carried out using the antifungal agent Clotrimazole (in the form of cream, tablets and suppositories): one suppository or tablet per day - intravaginally, at night. As doctors note, the use of this drug in the form of a cream gives an effect only when combined with suppositories.

Sertoconazole (Zalain) vaginal suppositories should be prescribed with caution to pregnant women. Although this drug does not enter the blood, the instructions say that during pregnancy and lactation it can be used "only if the expected benefit exceeds the hypothetical harm to the fetus." One suppository is inserted once a day - for 3-4 days.

Manufacturers of Livarol suppositories claim that they can be used after the 12th week of pregnancy, but the active component of this antifungal agent, ketoconazole, is contraindicated during pregnancy, since it penetrates all tissues and through the placenta, affects liver function and blood composition.

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy with folk remedies

For obvious reasons, gynecologists do not welcome the treatment of thrush during pregnancy with folk remedies. Their effectiveness is often questionable, and the risk is too great to self-medicate. After all, thrush in a pregnant woman can lead not only to fetal infection, amnionitis or chorioamnionitis, but also carries the threat of spontaneous abortion.

The recommended treatment of thrush during pregnancy with soda involves using a soda solution for hygiene of the genitals in case of candidiasis, as well as for sitz baths. In the same way, it is suggested to treat thrush during pregnancy with chamomile (decoction), calendula, oak bark, St. John's wort and sage. Herbal infusions or decoctions are recommended for use in the form of vaginal douching, but it should be borne in mind that, firstly, any douching during pregnancy is unsafe; secondly, as practice shows, such treatment is of little use and, finally, it can seriously harm the beneficial vaginal microflora.

And if someone advises you to treat thrush with honey during pregnancy, then it is better to replace honey with... ordinary brilliant green.