Intimate infections often happen during pregnancy. The mark on the underwear is not always a cause for concern. However, some vaginal discharge must not be disregarded because it may indicate an infection, e.g. vaginal mycosis. You must learn to distinguish vaginal discharge in order to start treatment in time.
Wthe vaginais home to countless microorganisms that make up its natural flora. Lactic acid sticks give the environment an acidic reaction that protects the reproductive organ against the invasion of pathogenic intruders. But when for some reason there are not enough or no lactobacilli, the body's
defense system begins to fail. This leads to an imbalance between different types of microbes. Some bacteria or fungi (most often yeasts) begin to multiply rapidly, disrupting the natural bacterial flora.
They irritate the mucosa of the labia and vagina, causing inflammation. Germs can enter the cervical canal, amniotic fluid and attack the baby. They can reach the bladder and even the kidneys of a woman. Therefore,intimate places infections , even though they are common and trivial in themselves (there is probably no woman who would not know them), must not be underestimated - especially now, because they threaten with complications and can harm baby.
Intimate infections in pregnancy - what is favorable for them
Infections like to start when you are pregnant. Why? Due to the body's reduced immunity, it is less able to cope with germs. In addition, the vagina is fluffed up, the amount of secretion increases, so some germs, such as fungi, multiply more easily. If you have diabetes (elevated sugar levels change the physiological pH of the vagina), lack vitamins, mainly B vitamins (they strengthen immunity), the risk of infection increases. The disease is favored by bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract, ear or bladder (they often happen to pregnant women due to urine stagnation in the bladder), stress (prolonged mental tension also reduces immunity) and sex (during intercourse, it is easy to transfer bacteria that live around the anus to the vagina - if they are harmless there, they cause inflammation in the vagina).
ImportantAttention in the third trimester!
What you might consider vaginal discharge is the often oozing amniotic fluid that travels through the fetal bladder. Don't underestimate the matter when the deadline has passedchildbirth, and the waters have a greenish color and an unpleasant odor! Then you need to give an antibiotic and speed up labor to avoid intrauterine infection.
Infection of intimate parts can be caused by a lack of hygiene, but also an excess of it. Do not wash yourself too often (twice a day is enough), because you will rinse out the natural bacterial flora. In addition, chemical ingredients in soaps and deodorants can change the pH and irritate the delicate mucosa. But susceptibility to infections is highly dependent on individual predispositions. There are women who don't get sick throughout their pregnancy, and some who catch one infection after another out of nowhere.
Suspicious vaginal discharge
An increase in the amount of mucus in the cervix is your body's natural reaction to pregnancy. But the physiological discharge from the genital tract that moisturizes and keeps the vagina clean is odorless, clear, or white, slippery to the touch. When it turns grayish or yellow, watery with an unpleasant fishy odor, it could be a sign that you have a bacterial infection. If it has a white color and a curd-like lumpy consistency, then mushrooms have attacked you. Often, both infections go hand-in-hand, e.g. it starts withtineaand is joined by bacteria, or vice versa. Usually, vaginal discharge is accompanied by swelling, burning or itching of the intimate parts, sometimes pain in the labia and a feeling of dryness in the vagina.
Ailments worsen after intercourse - abrasions of the diseased mucosa lead to secondary infections. If the inflammation affects the urethra, then you may also feel urgent to urinate and have difficulty passing it. The ailments can go out on their own. But it can be deceptive, because easing or resolving
of them does not mean that they have healed and after some time the infection returns with redoubled strength. Therefore, when you notice the first disturbing signals, consult your doctor as soon as possible, before the disease takes its toll. You can get an initial advice over the phone. Do not try to heal yourself, do not use any pans or irrigation, so as not to harm yourself. Moreover, doing so will blur the picture of the disease. Don't listen to your friend's advice or the internet forum. Each infection must be treated individually by a specialist. If the symptoms are very bothersome, you can wash yourself with lukewarm water with chamomile infusion or Tantum Rosa before contacting your doctor. This should be a relief.
Diagnosis of intimate infection - necessary culture
A routine gynecological examination is not enough to determine the type of infection. Therefore, your doctor will order a vaginal discharge culture with an antibiogram and antimycogram to determinespecifically, what microbes caused the disease and what can be effectively combated with them. The examination also notes the presence of lactobacilli. You have to wait 5-7 days for the result. Depending on the outcome and the period of pregnancy, the gynecologist will select the drugs that will be most effective and will not harm your baby. If this is the first trimester, the specialist may decide to postpone proper treatment until the pregnancy is greater, provided the germs do not harm the baby. Until then, you will have to scrupulously follow the rules of hygiene to minimize discomfort.
Intimate infections - treatment
In pregnancy, female infections are usually treated with appropriately selected antibiotic or antifungal agents that must be inserted into the vagina. The partner is prescribed a suitable ointment to lubricate the penis. The exceptions include, for example, infection with the dangerous GBS streptococcus. Due to the fact that the bacteria transferred to the child can cause sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia, the antibiotic is given orally. But the decision about the method of treatment is always made by the attending physician, guided by the welfare of both the mother and the developing child. Depending on the type of infection, the treatment usually lasts 7-14 days. You will feel better after a few days, but keep taking the medication until the end. This way you will avoid a relapse.
After treatment, you will have to wait 5 days and do another culture test to see if you are okay. If necessary, the therapy should be continued until it is effective. If you've been treated for mycosis, it may be that there is no trace of the fungus left, but bacteria may appear in the seed. Then you will have to deal with them, so that the mycosis does not come back due to the bacterial infection.