Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful pages in a woman’s life. However, this period can be overshadowed by many unpleasant factors that can deliver unnecessary excitement to the expectant mother. One of these factors may be a burning sensation in the vagina during pregnancy. Let's figure it out together what are the reasons for this phenomenon and how to get rid of it.
External factors
Itching and burning in the vagina in early pregnancy can occur against a background of changing hormonal levels. This, in turn, affects the microflora in the vagina. The production of lactic acid increases, which leads to an increase in the number of yeast fungi and other microbes for which such an environment is most suitable.
Another reason for the appearance of such unpleasant sensations is the wearing of synthetic underwear, which blocks the flow of air into the intimate area. Such a vacuum also promotes the propagation of pathogenic microflora.
Also, the frequent use of various gels or soaps for washing upsets the pH balance of the skin. Overdried skin and mucous membranes of the genitals also give a sensation of itching and burning.
Frequent douching also has unpleasant consequences. Repeated use of this procedure to remove vaginal discharge changes acidity and reduces the protective function of the mucosa.
Internal causes
The causes of burning in the vagina during pregnancy can be in another.
For a more complete picture, it is also necessary to pay attention to the nature of the discharge. During childbearing, transparent or white discharge of a uniform, odorless consistency is considered normal. Any change in their appearance, especially if it is accompanied by itching and burning in the intimate area, may indicate the presence of pathology or infection. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor to establish the true causes and take action.
It should also be noted that in women in position, the body's resistance to various infections decreases. Therefore, the likelihood of getting some kind of unpleasant disease increases sharply during this period.
Possible diseases
Itching and burning in the vagina during pregnancy can signal the presence of infections of the genitourinary organs. These include cystitis, urethritis, ureaplasmosis, etc. Unpleasant sensations arise due to the fact that the inflammatory process affects the urethra. The reasons for this are hypothermia or, on the contrary, overheating of the intimate zone with the subsequent penetration of pathogenic microorganisms there.
The most common disease, which is accompanied by itching and burning of the genitals, is candidiasis, a common thrush. This is due to fungi of the genus Candida. This disease must be treated, otherwise the child may be infected during childbirth or the mucous membrane is damaged.
Active development of opportunistic organisms in the vaginal microflora can lead to bacterial vaginosis. The most obvious symptoms are severe itching and the smell of fish in the discharge. Stress, the use of antibacterial drugs, unhealthy diet and poor ecology can contribute to this.
If itching and burning are accompanied by characteristic blistering rashes on the genitals or mucous membranes, then this indicates the presence of genital herpes. Self-medication in this case is contraindicated.
The risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases is extremely high in pregnant women. Many STDs are usually asymptomatic, however, against the background of weakened immunity in pregnant women, they give obvious manifestations.
Unpleasant sensations in the intimate area can also cause parasitic diseases. When confirming infection with helminths, a specialist will prescribe drugs that are safe for you and your baby.
Atypical diseases that can cause itching and burning in the vagina during pregnancy are diabetes in the mother and impaired functioning of her liver or thyroid gland.
Survey
If you find yourself itching or burning in the vagina during pregnancy, you should immediately consult a doctor. He will schedule an examination for you.
Typically, the diagnosis includes a set of measures. Among them:
- examination of the genitals (to localize the lesion and exclude genital herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases);
- urine tests (see the content of sugar, protein, etc.), feces (to detect infection with helminths) and blood (clinic and biochemistry);
- ultrasonography;
- bacterioscopy (swab from the vagina to the flora).
Only after a full examination, the doctor can prescribe you therapy, depending on the identified pathology. It is strictly forbidden to independently treat any disease during pregnancy. Even the most harmless drugs that you used previously can only harm in your current position.
Treatment
Regardless of the identified disease, discomfort in the intimate area is often subjected to symptomatic therapy. Treatment of burning in the vagina during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimester, is carried out with the help of such drugs:
- "Livarol" in the form of candles eliminates itching and burning, regardless of the reasons for its appearance.
- "Clotrimazole" in the form of an ointment is used to detect infections of a fungal nature. The entire line of this drug is well used to treat thrush.
- "Hexicon" in the form of suppositories is also prescribed for fungal pathologies and sexually transmitted diseases.
It should be recalled once again that it is contraindicated to use any drugs during pregnancy alone. With these actions, you can disrupt the development of your child and the normal course of pregnancy, up to a spontaneous abortion.
Principles of perimetre therapy
The effect of drugs at different stages of pregnancy is different. Therefore, their appointment should be carried out taking into account the gestational age. When fighting burning sensation in the vagina during pregnancy, the following principles should be adhered to:
- up to 8 weeks, it is advisable to replace drugs with folk remedies (for example, washing with chamomile broth or laundry soap) or use them according to very strict indications;
- in the first trimester - only the safest drugs;
- in the second and third trimester, the range of drugs becomes wider and, if necessary, less safe drugs can be prescribed;
- local therapy mainly involves the use of vaginal suppositories;
- very often after treatment, a preventive course is carried out with more gentle drugs.
It is important to follow all doctor's prescriptions. If you have been prescribed any drug, then you should not try to replace it with cheaper analogues. This is fraught with aggravation of the situation.
Possible complications
By delaying the treatment of itching and burning in the vagina during pregnancy, you run the risk of encountering negative consequences. The following complications are possible:
- spontaneous abortion (miscarriage);
- exacerbation of chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
- premature rupture of the fetal bladder and outpouring of amniotic fluid;
- premature birth;
- preterm pregnancy;
- injuries during childbirth (in particular, damage to the walls of the vagina and cervix);
- postpartum inflammatory diseases (endometritis, cervicitis, adnexitis, etc.).
With timely medical attention and treatment, the risk of complications is minimal. Therefore, if an unpleasant sensation occurs, it is worth an unscheduled visit to your gynecologist.
Sign of pregnancy
It is impossible to consider itching and burning in the vagina as a sign of pregnancy. Of course, the hormonal background of a woman is changing. However, such unpleasant sensations as itching or burning, often symbolize the presence of any pathological process during pregnancy, and not pregnancy itself. That is, the presence of these symptoms during the period of gestation is not the norm.
There are a lot of reasons for the appearance of burning, so a woman needs to be examined. Conception can provoke the presence of this symptom, but this does not mean that it should be ignored and regarded only as a sign of pregnancy. For example, thrush or diabetes can appear against a changing hormonal background, but their occurrence is not associated only with this, they can occur without this factor.
Ectopic pregnancy
With an ectopic pregnancy, a burning sensation in the vagina takes place. It is also worth paying attention to the accompanying symptoms. If, in addition to burning, you feel pain over the pubic bone or in other places in the intimate zone, then this is one of the first reasons for contacting a specialist.
Ectopic pregnancy, it is also an ectopic pregnancy, develops when the fetal egg is fixed in the fallopian tube, and not in the uterus. It begins to grow and develop, filling the tube and causing pain in a woman in the lower abdomen and in the genital area. If surgical intervention is not done on time, then the further development of the fetal egg will lead to rupture of the tube, hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity of the woman and subsequent death.
Therefore, if any unpleasant symptoms appear in the intimate area, you should visit a gynecologist to establish the fact of an ectopic pregnancy and take appropriate measures.