8 Causes of Gynecological Infections in Pregnant Women

Vaginitis during pregnancy can be infectious or not. About 10-20% of pregnant women have vaginitis. Although the disease has hidden symptoms, it directly affects the fetus and the health of the pregnant mother, so it needs to be treated and maintained throughout pregnancy and after giving birth.

What is Vaginitis During Pregnancy?

Vaginitis during pregnancy can occur at any time during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormones in the mother’s body will increase, accompanied by changes in the lower genital tract such as congestion, vaginal mucosal hypertrophy, cervical glandular cell proliferation, changes in vaginal pH, and a decrease in the number of B lymphocytes, causing changes in the local immune environment of the vagina and cervix.

This change allows anaerobic bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in the vagina to grow and multiply more strongly.

Symptoms of Gynecological Inflammation Commonly Occurring in Pregnant Women:

Candida is a fungus that causes vaginal infections. These infections often occur at any time during the immune system changes, glycogen production (to store energy in the body) and increased estrogen levels. The disease often becomes more common in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, signs of vaginal yeast infections include:

• • Increased itching in the genital area.
  • More vaginal discharge than usual.
  • Vaginal discharge that is white like powder or like white flakes on underwear.
  • Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
  • A burning sensation during urination or sexual intercourse.
  • In some cases, vaginal infections during pregnancy do not have any symptoms, making it impossible for pregnant women to detect and treat the disease promptly.

Signs of Vaginal Infection During Pregnancy:

Pregnant women with gynecological inflammation can have many different causes, and each pathogen will have different symptoms. Specifically, as follows:

Bacterial vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginitis, also known as BV, is a type of vaginal infection caused by bacteria. Lactobacilli are beneficial bacteria and anaerobic bacteria are harmful bacteria in the natural vaginal environment. Lactobacilli are the majority and control the growth of anaerobic bacteria, so normally there is a balance between the two. But anaerobic bacteria thrive under favorable conditions, disrupting the natural balance and causing BV.

BV is the most common disease in women between the ages of 15 and 44. In addition, it is also the most common infectious disease in pregnant women, affecting about 1 million pregnant women each year. BV is usually a mild infection and is easily treated with medication.

But if left untreated, it can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and complications during pregnancy.

Although the main cause of BV is an imbalance of vaginal flora, there are several factors that increase the risk of the disease, including:

Douching deep into the vagina and improper protection of the genital area.

• • Unprotected sex.
  • Having multiple sexual partners.
  • Overuse of vaginal suppositories or antibiotics.

According to research, about 50–75% of pregnant women with vaginitis have no symptoms. Pregnant women observe:

• • Abnormal vaginal discharge, thin, gray or milky in color, in some cases foamy and with an unpleasant fishy odor
  • Symptoms can appear at any time of the day, but they often become more uncomfortable at night and more severe during sex.

Yeast Infections:

Women often get yeast infections, also known as monilosis. According to statistics, 3 out of 4 women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lives, and up to 45% of cases have two or more yeast infections. Candida albicans is the most common type of yeast. In addition, there are other types of yeast such as Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis.

The appearance of Candida and Candida infections is more common in pregnancy. One study found that Candida is commonly found in the vagina of about 20% of women, and this number will increase to 30% during pregnancy. During each period, the hormones estrogen and progesterone change, increasing the possibility of infection.

Although vaginal yeast infections are not harmful to pregnant women, newborns can get yeast infections during vaginal birth, which needs to be detected early for effective treatment. Signs of a yeast infection include:

• • Intense itching and pain in the vulva and vagina.
  • A rash on the vulva and surrounding skin, sometimes on the groin and thighs.
  • Odorless, white, lumpy, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, and a burning sensation when urinating.
  • These symptoms last for hours, days, or weeks.

Trichomoniasis:

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, with approximately 3.7 million cases in the United States. Trichomonas vaginalis can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. The incubation period from exposure to infection is approximately 5 to 28 days.

Antibiotics can be used to treat Trichomoniasis, and the infection will clear up within a week. However, the infection can last for months or years if left untreated, causing more severe symptoms and interfering with educational activities. It can cause complications during childbirth, such as the risk of premature rupture of membranes, premature birth before 37 weeks, and low birth weight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that approximately 70-85% of people with Trichomoniasis have no symptoms. As symptoms become more apparent, you may notice:

• • Vaginal discharge that has a fishy odor and is white, gray, or green in color.
  • Itching in the genital area.
  • Pain during sex or urination.

Does Vaginal Infection Affect the Fetus?

Infections can affect the fetus. However, it is difficult for doctors to determine to what extent and how the fetus will be affected. There are three ways in which vaginal yeast infections can affect the fetus?

• • Harm the mother, causing the mother’s body to not be able to provide enough nutrients for the fetus or using drugs that can harm the fetus.
  • Directly affect the fetus by creating changes that can lead to birth abnormalities.
  • Induce miscarriage or premature labor.

As follows, the fetus can be directly affected by vaginitis:

• • Bacterial vaginitis can cause premature labor.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis, herpes and HIV can be transmitted to the fetus.
  • Chlamydia is a type of bacteria that causes vaginitis, which can cause eye infections and pneumonia.
  • The disease can lead to premature labor and the mixed bacteria can stick to the fetus’s eyes as it passes through the mother’s vagina, causing infection and possibly blindness.
  • Group B streptococcus can cause dangerous diseases in newborns and can be fatal in some cases.
  • The above shows that one should not be subjective when suffering from vaginitis during pregnancy. This disease can be dangerous for the pregnancy of the mother and the baby.

When Having Gynecological Inflammation, What Should Pregnant Women Do?

When pregnant women suspect that they have vaginitis, they should go to a reputable medical facility to get examined and determine the cause of the disease. After that, pregnant women will receive advice from a medical specialist for treatment so as not to affect the fetus.

In addition to using medication, pregnant women should do the following to reduce vaginitis during pregnancy:

• • Do not try to endure vaginal itching because you think that taking medication will affect the baby in the womb.
  • Limit the use of daily sanitary napkins.
  • Wear loose and breathable underwear (preferably cotton).
  • Limit the number of times you have sex and keep the intimate area clean before and after sex.
  • Clean the intimate area daily.
  • Exercise gently and maintain a scientific and healthy lifestyle.
  • Eat yogurt with many beneficial bacteria for health.
  • Clean underwear in the sun. If possible, use a hot iron to kill any remaining fungal spores on the pants.

How Can Pregnant Women Reduce the Risk of Gynecological Inflammation?

A great way to prevent vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy is to prevent yeast infections. The following tips can help pregnant women reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections:

• • Have monogamous sex.
  • Underwear should always be loose-fitting and should not be shared with others.
  • Sanitary napkins should not be used too often, they should only be used during the first and last days of menstruation.
  • Make sure to always wipe the genitals and anus from front to back.
  • Shower immediately after swimming. Damp underwear and clothing are ideal environments for yeast growth.
  • Avoid vaginal douching and avoid using harsh detergents or scented cleaning solutions.
  • Do not use vaginal sprays such as perfumes.
  • Limit sugar intake, as sugar promotes yeast growth.
  • Boost your immune system by doing light exercise or yoga.
  • Get plenty of rest to help your body fight off infections.

Conclusion:

Gynecological inflammation not only affects the health of pregnant women but also increases the risk of diseases such as eye infections, pneumonia, pathology, sexually transmitted diseases and is especially dangerous in causing premature birth. Therefore, pregnant women should have regular gynecological examinations throughout pregnancy for early detection and timely treatment, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

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