Natural remedies for yeast infection during pregnancy

Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

What is a Yeast Infection During Pregnancy?

Yeast infections (also known as candidiasis) are common in women, especially when you're pregnant. Increased estrogen in your pregnant body can throw off the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina. This may let the yeast overgrow. Most yeast infections during pregnancy result from the fungus candida albicans. Two other kinds of yeast that can also cause them are candida glabrata and candida tropicalis.

Yeast infections aren't pleasant, but they won't hurt you or your baby. And they can be safely treated, usually with a topical cream.

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

You might notice:

  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Redness or swelling in your vulva, the area outside your vagina.
  • Thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese.

Causes of a Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

  • Taking antibiotics, which can cause that can change the balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina.
  • Diabetes that isn’t well controlled
  • Conditions like HIV or medications, like corticosteroids that make it harder for your immune system to work well.
  • If your sexual partner has a yeast infection, it can be passed to you during vaginal sex.

Treating a Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

It's safe to treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal creams or suppositories that contain miconazole or clotrimazole. 

Don’t take an oral fluconazole tablet to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy. It may cause birth defects.

If you think you have a yeast infection, call your doctor before using over-the-counter medications to treat it.

Preventing a Yeast Infection During Pregnancy:

  • Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch to keep your vaginal area dry and let it "breathe."
  • Always wipe from front to back after you go to the bathroom.
  • Don't douche. It can upset the balance in your vagina. In late pregnancy, it may also cause your water to break.
  • Avoid tight pants and pantyhose.
  • Change out of a wet swimsuit or sweats immediately. This keeps the genital area dry.
  • Avoid toilet paper, feminine sprays, bubble bath, and sanitary pads that are scented.
  • Keep good control of your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
  • Eat yogurt with live cultures; some research suggests this can help.

What's the best way to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy?

Answer From Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D.

You can safely treat a yeast infection during pregnancy with various over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories. However, it's best to confirm with your health care provider that your symptoms are actually due to a yeast infection before starting treatment.

Yeast infections are especially common during pregnancy because hormone changes can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina. Common yeast infection symptoms include vaginal itching and a white, thick discharge that looks like cottage cheese.

Over-the-counter medications for treating yeast infections — available as creams, ointments or suppositories — include:

  • Clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin AF)
  • Miconazole (Monistat 3)
  • Terconazole

These products can be used at any point during pregnancy and don't pose a risk of birth defects or other pregnancy complications. For best results, choose a seven-day formula. Oral medication isn't recommended if you're pregnant.

Some commonly prescribed antifungals — such as fluconazole (Diflucan) — should be avoided, especially during the first trimester. If you see a doctor about your yeast infection and are very early in your pregnancy, make sure to tell the doctor that you think you're pregnant.

With

Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Jan. 06, 2021

  1. Walls RM, et al., eds. Acute complications of pregnancy. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2018.
  2. Ferri FF. Vaginitis, fungal. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018.
  3. Lobo RA, et al. Genital tract infections: Vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, endometritis, and salpingitis. In: Comprehensive Gynecology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018.
  4. Cohen J, et al. Vaginitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, and cutaneous vulval lesions. In: Infectious Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017.
  5. Bope ET, et al. Vulvovaginitis. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2018. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018.
  6. Walls RM, et al., eds. Drug therapy in pregnancy. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2018.
  7. Butler Tobah YS (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 5, 2018.

See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
  2. Painful urination (dysuria)
  3. Pelvic exam
  4. Sex during vaginal infection: Is it harmful?
  5. Symptom Checker
  6. Vagina
  7. Vaginal bleeding
  8. Vaginal discharge
  9. Vaginal odor
  10. Vaginitis

.

How can I treat a yeast infection while pregnant?

You can safely treat a yeast infection during pregnancy with various over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories. However, it's best to confirm with your health care provider that your symptoms are actually due to a yeast infection before starting treatment.

Can a yeast infection go away on its own while pregnant?

If you develop symptoms from a yeast infection, they're likely to be bothersome (and may get worse) until you treat the infection, though sometimes they do come and go on their own.

What happens if you don't treat a yeast infection while pregnant?

If left untreated, yeast infections can pass to your baby's mouth during delivery. This is called “thrush” and is effectively treated with Nystatin. It may take 10-14 days to find relief or completely clear up the infection while you are pregnant.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a yeast infection?

Taking a prescription oral antifungal medication like Diflucan (fluconazole) is a quick way to get rid of a yeast infection. It's a one-dose treatment, but some people may need an additional dose or doses. A prescription or OTC vaginal antifungal cream can also help get rid of yeast infections fast.