The female body changes during pregnancy, often all hidden diseases make themselves felt, manifesting immediately or over time.
The genitals change during pregnancy due to an increase in the uterus, very often there is discomfort, pain in the genitals. During this period, immunity decreases, and therefore swelling of the labia may be due to genital infections, such as bartholinitis or vulvovaginitis.
Swelling during pregnancy
In the first weeks of pregnancy, physical changes in the external part of the genitals are considered normal, including color changes and slight swelling. Changing the color of the labia and slight itching is a natural process that manifests itself in all women. In the case when the lips bleed, discharge and severe swelling appear, this will serve as an occasion to consult a specialist, because this is not normal.
Candidiasis
Itching along with edema can be caused due to infection. Almost all pregnant women have one disease - candidiasis (thrush). Symptoms of the disease:
- white discharge, similar to milk;
- the vaginal mucosa swells;
- itching in the perineum and pain.
Gardnerellosis
Another reason for swelling of the labia is the defeat of the gardnerella bacteria. Infection occurs through sexual contact with the carrier of the pathogen. As a result, gardnerellosis disease is formed. It is accompanied by such symptoms:
- there is a very severe itching of the labia;
- dry mucosa;
- swelling of the outside of the vulva;
- pain in the perineum, which intensifies during walking, intercourse, physical exertion;
- there is more discharge, they have a greenish or gray color.
Genital herpes
With swelling of the labia, on which there are bubbles with a liquid that do not go up to 7 days, we can talk about genital herpes. A woman can feel weakness, the occurrence of itching on the genitals, an increase in body temperature.
Sometimes, when a disease appears, a person does not suspect it. The main symptom by which the disease is determined is a rash. They can be on the walls of the vagina, labia and cervix. This ailment is especially dangerous for the unborn child, often, if herpes appeared the first time, doctors insist on an abortion. Another reason for the development of the disease is a decrease in immunity, at which point herpes worsens. With an advanced degree, the child’s development is disturbed, deviations of physical development, defects of the central nervous system and brain occur, often this causes the loss of the fetus. Rashes and symptoms go away on their own in a couple of weeks, but you can’t do nothing, you should immediately consult a gynecologist at the first sign of herpes.
Bartholinitis
There are cases when edema appears only on one side and is accompanied by acute painful manifestations in the perineum. Such symptoms appear when infected with bartholinitis. In the presence of this disease, the glands that are responsible for the production of vaginal lubrication become clogged. Bartholin glands are a paired organ located in the thickness of the labia majora. Symptoms of the disease:
- pain in surrounding tissues;
- swelling of the labia;
- redness of the mucosa;
- constant pain.
During pregnancy, swelling of the labia appears due to a decrease in immunity. It can provoke:
- E. coli;
- staphylococci and streptococci;
- specific microorganisms;
- pathogenic bacteria.
In the late weeks of pregnancy, edema occurs due to varicose labia. This is because the veins in the labia expand.
Diagnostics
Due to the fact that the reasons for the appearance of the main symptom are quite diverse, to establish the correct diagnosis, based only on the symptoms, is not acceptable. Patients are shown laboratory-instrumental examinations, before the appointment of which the clinician should:
- interview the patient in detail for the first time the appearance of the edema of the labia during pregnancy and the nature of the expression, both the main symptom and the additional ones;
- to study the history of the disease and make an anamnesis of the patient's life;
- perform a gynecological examination and assess the condition of the skin of the labia to reveal what symptoms are accompanied by swelling.
How to treat the labia?
Immediately before treatment, the cause of the disease is established, after which they proceed to the treatment procedure. It occurs according to the following criteria:
- Infections appear due to a violation of personal hygiene, for a start it is necessary to establish the cause of the pathogen, and only after that proceed to antibiotic treatment itself. Candidiasis is often treated with "Fluconazole" and "Clotrimazoline" at the same time (ointments, suppositories and oral). Genital herpes virus is treated with acyclovir-based drugs. But it is contraindicated a month before birth and in the first 3-4 months after conception.
- Very often, swollen labia during pregnancy appear after intercourse, in which case it will pass on its own.
- There are cases when edema occurs before critical days and PMS, in this case, treatment is not required, since everything will pass by itself.
- Maternity underwear is advised. What is his charm? Since the cause may be the impact on the female organs of low-quality matter, such underwear for pregnant women is sewn from natural fabrics, it will not irritate tender areas.
- With diabetes, treatment is prohibited, except with insulin. The most effective solution is to conduct the washing procedure with warm and cool water alternately on an ongoing basis. It is very useful to wipe the intimate parts of the body with a weak solution of citric acid or vinegar: half a teaspoon in a glass of water. Wipe several times a day. This procedure will help restore acid balance.
- Very often, swelling of the labia during pregnancy passes on its own after childbirth. It is believed that during pregnancy it is impossible to treat edema, because most types of therapy for removing fluid from the body harm the baby much more than edema itself. Many experts recommend switching to melt, soft, structured water such as "Longavity".
- With vulvovaginitis, treatment is prescribed by a doctor. It consists in taking antifungal drugs, hormone substitutes, antibiotics. You also need to douche with acceptable, prescribed drugs. During the treatment of edema of the labia during pregnancy, vaginal microflora are restored by applying probiotics, eliminating allergens and other factors that act as irritants.
- With bartholinitis, bed rest and abstinence from sex are recommended. If the labia is swollen, only a doctor prescribes treatment. With severe pain, it is allowed to apply ice to the inflamed area. Such drugs are also allowed: imidazoles, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, penicillins. It is necessary to treat the swollen places with a special ointment and apply small compresses with Levomikol or ichthyol ointment. It is allowed to use a solution with chlorhexidine or miramistin during swelling of the labia during pregnancy.
Prevention
Preventive measures are as follows:
- If the labia has swollen, you should avoid promiscuous sex and incomplete sex.
- Wear only high-quality underwear made of natural material so that it is of a normal size.
- Daily observe personal hygiene with the help of special means, you can not use bath foam and shower gel.
- Use daily pads for genital edema.
- Do not use thermal underwear.
- Adhere to the level of hygiene. After the toilet, you need to wipe it from front to back so that the genital area always remains clean and dry.
- The vaginal area must be moistened with a cream containing glycerin and non-allergic lubricants.