Virgina itching during pregnancy

Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and More

Pregnant women often experience vaginal itching at some point during pregnancy. This is a normal and common occurrence.

Many things can cause vaginal itching during pregnancy. Some may be the result of changes your body is going through. Other causes may not be associated with your pregnancy at all.

Read on to review the potential causes of vaginal itching during pregnancy, plus learn hands-on information about treatment and prevention.

These conditions may cause vaginal itching during pregnancy:

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis can occur if the balance between the good and bad bacteria in the vagina changes. This common vaginal infection typically happens to sexually active women, whether they’re pregnant or not. Symptoms include:

a thin, opaque or grayish discharge
itching
burning
redness
a fishlike odor, especially after sexual intercourse

Yeast infection

In addition to bacteria, your vagina normally contains a small amount of yeast. The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina, causing yeast to multiply. For this reason, yeast infections are common during pregnancy.

Symptoms can include:

itching
burning
a thick vaginal discharge that has the texture of cottage cheese

Increase in vaginal discharge

The amount of vaginal discharge and cervical mucus you secrete may increase throughout pregnancy. Hormonal changes causes this as well as the softening of the cervix and vaginal walls.

Discharge is designed to protect your vagina from infection, but it can irritate the skin of the vulva, making it red and itchy.

Vaginal dryness

Hormonal changes may cause vaginal dryness to occur in some people during pregnancy. Anecdotal evidence indicates that those who are breastfeeding when they conceive are more likely to experience this symptom.

Redness, irritation, and pain during sex may also occur.

Low progesterone may also cause vaginal dryness in some pregnant women. Since this hormone is necessary for sustaining pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you have this symptom.

Sensitivity to products

During pregnancy, the vagina becomes engorged with blood, and your skin may feel stretched and more sensitive than usual.

Products that you used comfortably before conceiving may now irritate your skin, causing it to itch and redden. Products that can cause this to occur include:

detergent
bubble bath
body wash
soap

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

The uterus sits on top of the bladder. As it expands during pregnancy, greater pressure is placed on the bladder. This can block the expulsion of urine, causing an infection to occur.

For this reason, pregnant women can be at greater risk for getting a UTI.

Bacteria can also cause UTIs, such as group B strep bacteria (GBS). Around 1 in 4 pregnant women test positive for GBS. GBS in adults doesn’t usually show symptoms. Since the GBS bacteria can be harmful to a newborn, your doctor will test you for it during pregnancy.

Symptoms include:

frequent and urgent need to urinate
abdominal pain
vaginal itching and burning
blood in urine
pain during intercourse

Cholestasis of pregnancy

This liver condition may occur late in pregnancy. Why it happens isn’t completely understood. Experts think genetics and pregnancy hormones play a role.

Cholestasis of pregnancy causes extreme itchiness on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The itching may start to affect the entire body, including the vaginal area. Rashes and redness don’t occur with this condition.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs, such as genital herpes, HPV, and trichomoniasis, may all have vaginal itching as an early symptom.

You can become pregnant while you have an STI or get one during pregnancy. Since STIs may not show symptoms, it’s important to let your doctor know if you think you may have one contracted one.

If an STI does show symptoms, you may have:

rash
burning sensation
warts
fever
vaginal discharge
flu-like symptoms

STIs can adversely affect you and your baby, but you can get treated while you’re pregnant, eliminating those risks.

Vaginal itching during pregnancy is often nothing to worry about and can often be resolved with at-home treatments.

However, during this time it may make sense to be especially proactive and talk with your doctor about any troubling symptoms you experience.

Treatments for vaginal itching will vary based on the cause. They include:

Over-the-counter antifungal treatments. If your doctor has confirmed that you have a yeast infection, you can use an OTC antifungal cream or suppository to treat it. Don’t use fluconazole (Diflucan). This prescribed antifungal medication has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy.
Baking soda. Itchy skin can be soothed by soaking in a baking soda bath or using a baking soda compresses on the area.
Cool water. Cool baths and cold compresses may also help reduce itching.
Product elimination. If you think the products you’re using are causing your symptoms, try eliminating all of them and use all-natural, gentle products designed for use during pregnancy or for babies.
Antibiotics. You’ll need prescription medication if you have a UTI, STI, or bacterial vaginosis.
Corticosteroids. Topical anti-itch creams such as corticosteroids may help reduce itching.
Other medications. If you have cholestasis, your doctor will monitor you and might recommend you use anti-bile medications.

It may be hard to completely avoid vaginal itching during pregnancy, but certain proactive behaviors may help. Consider these tips:

Try to keep your vaginal pH in the healthy range by eating yogurt that contains live cultures. You can also take a Lactobacillusacidophilus supplement daily with your doctor’s approval.
Wear underwear made from cotton or another breathable fabric.
Avoid wearing clothing that’s too tight.
Immediately change out of damp clothing, such as bathing suits or exercise gear.
Avoid using products that contain scents, chemicals, or irritants.
Practice good hygiene, especially after going to the bathroom. Always wipe from front to back.
Don’t douche. Douching alters the vagina’s natural pH balance. Follow our guide to clean your vagina and vulva.
Try to reduce your stress levels with prenatal yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.

Mention any uncomfortable symptom that worries you during pregnancy to your doctor. If you have vaginal itching that doesn’t respond to at-home treatment within a few days, have your doctor check it out.

If vaginal itching is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or a thick, smelly discharge, see your doctor to rule out an infection. Also see your doctor if you notice streaky blood in your discharge.

Vaginal itching is a common occurrence during pregnancy and often nothing to worry about. It’s mostly associated with the normal hormonal changes you can expect during this time.

If you’re concerned about this symptom, or other symptoms accompany it, such as pain or odor, your doctor will be able to prescribe treatments that can help.

Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and More

Pregnant women often experience vaginal itching at some point during pregnancy. This is a normal and common occurrence.

Many things can cause vaginal itching during pregnancy. Some may be the result of changes your body is going through. Other causes may not be associated with your pregnancy at all.

Read on to review the potential causes of vaginal itching during pregnancy, plus learn hands-on information about treatment and prevention.

These conditions may cause vaginal itching during pregnancy:

Bacterial vaginosis

a thin, opaque or grayish discharge
itching
burning
redness
a fishlike odor, especially after sexual intercourse

Yeast infection

Symptoms can include:

itching
burning
a thick vaginal discharge that has the texture of cottage cheese

Increase in vaginal discharge

The amount of vaginal discharge and cervical mucus you secrete may increase throughout pregnancy. Hormonal changes causes this as well as the softening of the cervix and vaginal walls.

Discharge is designed to protect your vagina from infection, but it can irritate the skin of the vulva, making it red and itchy.

Vaginal dryness

Redness, irritation, and pain during sex may also occur.

Low progesterone may also cause vaginal dryness in some pregnant women. Since this hormone is necessary for sustaining pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you have this symptom.

Sensitivity to products

During pregnancy, the vagina becomes engorged with blood, and your skin may feel stretched and more sensitive than usual.

Products that you used comfortably before conceiving may now irritate your skin, causing it to itch and redden. Products that can cause this to occur include:

detergent
bubble bath
body wash
soap

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

The uterus sits on top of the bladder. As it expands during pregnancy, greater pressure is placed on the bladder. This can block the expulsion of urine, causing an infection to occur.

For this reason, pregnant women can be at greater risk for getting a UTI.

Symptoms include:

frequent and urgent need to urinate
abdominal pain
vaginal itching and burning
blood in urine
pain during intercourse

Cholestasis of pregnancy

This liver condition may occur late in pregnancy. Why it happens isn’t completely understood. Experts think genetics and pregnancy hormones play a role.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs, such as genital herpes, HPV, and trichomoniasis, may all have vaginal itching as an early symptom.

You can become pregnant while you have an STI or get one during pregnancy. Since STIs may not show symptoms, it’s important to let your doctor know if you think you may have one contracted one.

If an STI does show symptoms, you may have:

rash
burning sensation
warts
fever
vaginal discharge
flu-like symptoms

STIs can adversely affect you and your baby, but you can get treated while you’re pregnant, eliminating those risks.

Vaginal itching during pregnancy is often nothing to worry about and can often be resolved with at-home treatments.

However, during this time it may make sense to be especially proactive and talk with your doctor about any troubling symptoms you experience.

Treatments for vaginal itching will vary based on the cause. They include:

Over-the-counter antifungal treatments. If your doctor has confirmed that you have a yeast infection, you can use an OTC antifungal cream or suppository to treat it. Don’t use fluconazole (Diflucan). This prescribed antifungal medication has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy.
Baking soda. Itchy skin can be soothed by soaking in a baking soda bath or using a baking soda compresses on the area.
Cool water. Cool baths and cold compresses may also help reduce itching.
Product elimination. If you think the products you’re using are causing your symptoms, try eliminating all of them and use all-natural, gentle products designed for use during pregnancy or for babies.
Antibiotics. You’ll need prescription medication if you have a UTI, STI, or bacterial vaginosis.
Corticosteroids. Topical anti-itch creams such as corticosteroids may help reduce itching.
Other medications. If you have cholestasis, your doctor will monitor you and might recommend you use anti-bile medications.

It may be hard to completely avoid vaginal itching during pregnancy, but certain proactive behaviors may help. Consider these tips:

Try to keep your vaginal pH in the healthy range by eating yogurt that contains live cultures. You can also take a Lactobacillusacidophilus supplement daily with your doctor’s approval.
Wear underwear made from cotton or another breathable fabric.
Avoid wearing clothing that’s too tight.
Immediately change out of damp clothing, such as bathing suits or exercise gear.
Avoid using products that contain scents, chemicals, or irritants.
Practice good hygiene, especially after going to the bathroom. Always wipe from front to back.
Don’t douche. Douching alters the vagina’s natural pH balance. Follow our guide to clean your vagina and vulva.
Try to reduce your stress levels with prenatal yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.

Vaginal itching is a common occurrence during pregnancy and often nothing to worry about. It’s mostly associated with the normal hormonal changes you can expect during this time.

If you’re concerned about this symptom, or other symptoms accompany it, such as pain or odor, your doctor will be able to prescribe treatments that can help.

Why does the skin itch during pregnancy?

Skin itching during pregnancy is not a very common phenomenon. Most often, the skin begins to itch unbearably (as after mosquito bites) in the evening, closer to night, which can provoke insomnia and generally worsen a woman’s mood. Usually itching does not harm the baby and goes away after childbirth. However, it is still worth consulting with a gynecologist and dermatologist.

What does it come from?

The cause of itching during pregnancy in most cases is a violation of the liver: the production and outflow of bile, a general increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood. This is due to a hormonal failure in the body of the future mother - a violation of the synthesis of estrogens, as well as due to fetal pressure on the bile ducts. The fatty acids produced in large quantities enter the woman's skin with the bloodstream and irritate the nerve endings, causing excruciating itching. Similar phenomena associated with stagnation of bile in the body can make themselves felt in the third trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes itching is accompanied by such dangerous diseases as diabetes mellitus.

Who is predisposed?

Itching during pregnancy is usually observed in women with chronic diseases of the biliary tract and with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Such future mothers need to regularly (at least once a month) do a biochemical blood test to exclude toxic effects on liver cells.

How to fight?

A pregnant woman should tell her gynecologist about the discomfort associated with skin itching. In some cases, itching can be a sign of the development of such a dangerous disease as hepatitis. The doctor will conduct appropriate examinations. If, according to an objective examination, itching does not pose any danger, it is often possible to get rid of discomfort simply by following a diet aimed at lowering cholesterol levels, limiting the intake of fatty, spicy and salty foods that prevent the liver from coping with the function of bile secretion, as well as drinking plenty of water - it is necessary to eliminate dry skin. If the diet does not help, the doctor may prescribe choleretic drugs suitable for pregnant women.

It is important to find the cause of the bothersome itching, eliminating a whole group of skin diseases that can occur during pregnancy.

Itching in the abdomen and chest

This itch is worth mentioning separately. As a rule, the skin on the abdomen or chest itches in the second and third trimesters due to its stretching, because it is these parts of the body that increase in volume during pregnancy. In this case, it is very important not to scratch the skin - this will lead to the appearance of stretch marks, which, unlike itching, will not go away after childbirth. Regularly use moisturizing creams, special products for stretch marks, do a light massage of the chest and abdomen with circular movements of your fingers and do not take hot showers.

You can get answers to any questions about pregnancy and childbirth from leading EMC experts in the classes of the School of Moms.

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why does it occur and how to solve the problem?

Pregnancy is one of the important and responsible stages in a woman's life. In most cases, this is 9 months of anxious waiting to meet your baby. However, during pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes major hormonal changes and pleasant emotions can go hand in hand with painful and uncomfortable sensations in different areas of the body. Including unpleasant symptoms may appear in the intimate area.

Discomfort in the vagina often manifests itself in the form of itching, burning, irritation and swelling. The main thing, when these symptoms appear, is to understand that it is necessary to establish their cause and eliminate it as soon as possible, because there are risks of harming the health of the fetus.

Various sexual infections can affect the appearance of discomfort in the perineum. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, a woman is prone to various infectious diseases. As mentioned above, bearing a baby causes a restructuring of the hormonal background in a woman's body: the level of the hormone progesterone rises and the activity of the immune system naturally decreases, which creates favorable conditions for the exacerbation of chronic infections and the emergence of new ones.

How dangerous is the development of infectious diseases of the vagina and vulva during the bearing of a baby? Normally, during pregnancy, the amniotic bladder and water, as well as the mucous plug of the cervix, protect the fetus from various infections and bacteria, so your unborn baby is safe.

The presence in the body of a woman in an interesting position of an infectious disease and the lack of necessary therapy can adversely affect the course of pregnancy. For example, an untreated infection can lead to damage to the membranes, the fluid in which the unborn child is located, and the fetus itself.

There is also a high probability of physical contact of the child with the infection during passage through the birth canal. Therefore, in case of any discomfort in the intimate area during pregnancy, you should consult a specialist.

You can suspect the appearance of an infection of the vagina and vulva by a series of symptoms: cramps, itching, burning. Often, sexual infections provoke colpitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vagina and the vaginal part of the cervix. By itself, colpitis often causes discomfort in the groin of pregnant women. It can be provoked not only by sexual infections, but also by endocrine or chronic diseases, stress, lack of hygiene.

Bacterial vaginosis can also cause discomfort. This pathology, caused by a decrease in the number of lactobacilli in the vagina, as a result, their place is taken by other microorganisms that are always present in the vagina, but in excess lead to the development of dysbiosis. Bacterial vaginosis can occur without symptoms, but sometimes it occurs with clinical manifestations. It is usually accompanied by discomfort, as well as vaginal discharge that is white, gray, or yellow-green in color with an unpleasant "fishy" odor.

Bacterial vaginosis also adversely affects the course of pregnancy, can provoke inflammation of the pelvic organs, premature birth, chorioamnionitis - inflammation of the amniotic membranes and infection of the amniotic fluid.

Itching in the intimate area during pregnancy can appear with vulvovaginal candidiasis - infection of the mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina with yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. It should be noted that the first episode of the incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis is observed during pregnancy. This is due to changes in hormonal levels, reduced immunity. This disease, in addition to discomfort in the groin area, itching and burning, is characterized by: moderate hyperemia, white and thick discharge like cottage cheese, sour smell from the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse and urination.

However, itching and burning are not always symptoms of serious pathologies. Occasionally, discomfort can occur with the use of poorly fitting underwear or aggressive pH soaps.

Feeling discomfort in the groin, you should consult with a specialist. The specialist can conduct an examination, collect an anamnesis and prescribe, if necessary, laboratory and / or other diagnostic tests. All this will help to establish a diagnosis and choose an individual treatment regimen.

In order to prevent the appearance of discomfort in the intimate area and not spoil the pleasant waiting time for the addition, it is necessary to follow preventive recommendations.

It is necessary to carry out external hygiene of the intimate area. Normally 2 times a day - no more and no less. Frequent washing can lead to “overdrying” of the skin and mucous membranes of the intimate area, and a lack of hygiene can lead to the development of various inflammations. You should not self-douche or vaginal lavage unless recommended by a specialist in your particular case.
Choose a quality cleanser. Ideally, this should be a hypoallergenic product that is dermatologically tested, contains lactic acid and components that care for the skin of the genital organs. Epigen Intim Gel is ideal for daily hygiene of the inguinal zone during pregnancy and after childbirth. Epigen Intim gel contains activated glycyrrhizic and lactic acids in its composition. Its pH is slightly acidic, which corresponds to the normal acid-base balance of the skin of the intimate area. The tool helps to eliminate discomfort (irritation) due to wearing panty liners or not very comfortable underwear. It has a very pleasant aroma and helps to neutralize unpleasant odors in the intimate area with constant use.
Abandon synthetic underwear in favor of natural fabrics. Cotton panties do not create a "greenhouse effect", especially in the heat.

Treatment of discomfort in the intimate area will be different. The diagnosed disease will influence the choice of therapy. Spray Epigen Intim can be included in the complex treatment of diseases accompanied by discomfort - nonspecific colpitis (vaginitis), bacterial vaginosis, thrush, herpes.

Spray Epigen Intim

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Epigen Intim Spray

The drug has antipruritic and anti-inflammatory action. Thanks to the active ingredient - activated glycyrrhizic acid, Epigen Intim spray helps to eliminate itching and irritation. It also helps to eliminate inflammation, swelling and redness of tissues. The drug is also able to increase the local immunity of the vagina, by stimulating the production of its own interferons. Spray Epigen Intim promotes healing and restoration of the integrity of the damaged mucosa, due to which the protective function of the mucosa will be restored and the number of lactobacilli will increase.

The drug is successfully used to treat viral infections (caused by the human papillomavirus, genital herpes), diseases associated with a decrease in local immunity (nonspecific vaginitis, thrush, bacterial vaginosis), etc. It can be used to treat exacerbations in conjunction with antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial drugs, and for the prevention of these vaginal infections.

By the way, while carrying a baby, the use of many drugs sold in pharmacies is limited or prohibited.

But Epigen Intim spray is approved for use in pregnant and lactating women and is dispensed without a doctor's prescription. The drug is applied both externally and intravaginally, depending on the disease.

In the presence of itching, burning, irritation and swelling in the groin area, a woman feels as uncomfortable as possible. Intimate discomfort can bring especially many experiences to women during pregnancy. To minimize the risks of discomfort, try to follow the simple rules indicated in the article. When discomfort appears in the perineum, the most correct thing is to visit a specialist and not self-medicate, since now you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for the unborn baby.