Colpitis during pregnancy: causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, danger to the fetus

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

As a rule, in the first trimester of pregnancy, women notice that the amount of vaginal discharge has increased significantly. If they remain transparent and odorless, there is nothing to worry about. A completely different conversation begins when the discharge has acquired a yellow-gray hue and causes a feeling of discomfort. Let's talk about colpitis during pregnancy and ways to help protect yourself from the disease.

What is colpitis?

This is the name given to the disease, which is characterized by the development of infectious and inflammatory processes in the female genital organs. The second name of the disease is vaginitis.

It is known that during pregnancy there is a noticeable decrease in immunity. This is necessary so that the body does not perceive the child as a foreign object and does not reject it. Otherwise, every pregnancy would end in miscarriage.

That's just in a similar situation, the body of a womanat the same time becomes less protected from the effects of pathogenic microorganisms. The latter are quickly fixed on the mucous membranes and lead to the onset of the inflammatory process.

Colpitis discharge during pregnancy is very different from what a woman used to consider normal. Therefore, it is impossible not to notice the existence of a problem.

Causes of disease

The main causes of colpitis during pregnancy are:

• Imbalance of the microflora of the vagina.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Frequent douching.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Long-term use of antibiotics.
• Lack of intimate hygiene.
• Presence of mechanical injuries on the walls of the vagina.
• Promiscuous.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Allergic reactions to topical medications.
• Pathologies of the endocrine organs.
• Using underwear made from synthetic materials.
• Bad environmental situation.
• Low social level.

In this case, the direct cause of the development of colpitis during pregnancy is infection with pathogenic microorganisms:

• Trichomonas;
• E. coli;
• staphylococci;
• streptococci;
• gardnarellas;
• Klebsiella;
• Proteus;
• gonococci;
• yeast-like mushrooms.

Symptoms of disease

There isseveral main symptoms of colpitis during pregnancy, which will not differ depending on the type of pathogen. These include:

• itch;
• burning;
• appearance of unusual discharge from the genital tract;
• pain during intercourse.

Since colpitis during pregnancy can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa, there are several forms of the disease. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Bacterial colpitis

The causative agents of the disease are anaerobic bacteria. They live in environments where there is no oxygen. After entering the vagina, active reproduction begins.

In this case, colpitis occurs against the background of reduced immunity during pregnancy. This can happen at any time. The main symptoms that indicate bacterial colpitis are:

• profuse gray-white or yellow vaginal discharge;
• "fishy" smell from the genital tract.

Very often, along with colpitis, cervicitis is also diagnosed.

Candida colpitis

The more common name for this type of disease is thrush. It occurs when the vagina is actively colonized by fungi of the genus Candida. This happens most actively in the early stages of pregnancy.

Thrush can start to disturb a woman in any trimester. The main characteristic symptoms in this case will be:

• appearance of white curdled discharge;
• burning in the genital tract;
• severe itching.

Incorrectly treated or undertreated thrush will come back again and again.

Trichomonas colpitis

This type of colpitis during pregnancy is accompanied by signs of intoxication of the body: fever, chills, headaches. In addition, there are other symptoms:

• profuse purulent vaginal discharge;
• strong unpleasant smell of discharge;
• itching in the genital area.

If the urethra was also affected, the number of urination becomes more frequent, which becomes painful and accompanied by a burning sensation.

Gonorrheal colpitis

It is not uncommon for gonorrheal colpitis to be asymptomatic. But if the signs of the disease are still present, they will manifest themselves in the form:

• purulent creamy discharge from the genital tract;
• burning and pain during urination.

The presence of the last symptom indicates that the urethra is also affected.

Nonspecific colpitis

The development of nonspecific colpitis during pregnancy is provoked by opportunistic microorganisms. This type of disease is characterized by the appearance of profuse yellowish or yellow-green discharge with an unpleasant odor.

Treatment of this type of disease, first of all, should be aimed at restoring the normal biocenosis of the vagina.

Consequences of the disease

The consequences of colpitis during pregnancy depend on its duration.

It is strictly forbidden to practiceself-treatment! Colpitis during early pregnancy, which has spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, can lead to miscarriage.

The presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina can lead to infection of the amniotic fluid. In the future, this will manifest itself in the form of premature birth, polyhydramnios, and so on.

If the disease is detected in the second half of pregnancy, it threatens with internal infection of the fetus. In addition, during the passage of the baby through the birth canal, infection may also occur.

Diagnosis of disease

In addition to taking an anamnesis, the diagnosis of colpitis during pregnancy includes several methods at once:

1. Gynecological examination. During it, the condition of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, the volume and color of the discharge are assessed. Already thanks to these data, the gynecologist will be able to suggest the type of disease and its severity.
2. Smear on flora. With its help, the severity of the inflammatory process is revealed, the presence of pathogenic organisms and their type (fungi, Trichomonas, gonococci) are confirmed.
3. Vaginal culture. Information from a swab taken is not always enough, since some types of pathogenic organisms can be detected only when sown on special nutrient media. This method will help not only to identify the causative agent of the disease, but also to determine its quantity, as well as sensitivity to antibiotics.
4. Additional special methods. These include ELISA, PCR and others. They are necessary forsuspicion of mycoplasma, ureaplasma or chlamydial infections. The pathogens that provoke these types of diseases settle in the cervix and provoke the appearance of not only colpitis, but also urethritis.

Treatment of disease

Treatment of colpitis during pregnancy should be prescribed by a specialist! This happens only after the exact type of pathogen is identified. The main difficulty is that now a woman is contraindicated in the use of many drugs, as they can have a negative effect on the fetus.

As a rule, complex therapy is prescribed for the treatment of colpitis during pregnancy. It may include:

• use of antibiotics;
• physiotherapy treatments;
• alkaline baths;
• use of decoctions of medicinal plants;
• preparations of local action (suppositories, ointments, gels);
• special diet.

In addition, the type of treatment will depend on the duration of pregnancy. In the first trimester, drugs such as:

• Betadine;
• "Fluomizin";
• Hexicon.

They are all broad-spectrum antiseptics. The difference is that the treatment with Betadine and Hexicon will last 10-14 days, and in the case of Fluomizin, the period is reduced to 6 days. These drugs do not adversely affect the fetus and are well tolerated by the woman's body.

In addition, the doctor will prescribe a single injection of vaginal suppositories.

Wosecond trimester of pregnancy, local drugs are also prescribed for treatment:

• Terzhinan;
• "Klion-D 100";
• McMiror;
• Neo-Penotran forte.

Means have a broader spectrum of action and can affect not only bacteria, but also fungi. The course of treatment will be about 7-10 days. It is worth considering that in some cases the use of the above drugs can lead to side effects: allergies, itching, burning.

Treatment of candidal colpitis involves the use of various vaginal suppositories:

• "Natamycin";
• "Intraconazole";
• Clotrimazole;
• "Pimafucin";
• Zalain and others.

The downside is that such drugs only affect yeast-like fungi and will not be able to get rid of other pathogens.

The treatment doesn't end there. Equally important is the restoration of immunity in the vagina. This can be done with the help of drugs such as "Lactagel" or "Vagilak". These drugs increase the number of lactobacilli in the genital tract and prevent the recurrence of the disease.

In addition to medication, a woman will need:

• follow a special diet that limits the amount of fried, fatty and spicy foods consumed;
• abstain from sexual intercourse while taking medication.

By the way, her partner will also have to undergo treatment.

Folkfunds

You should immediately pay attention to the fact that alternative methods of treatment can only be used as an addition to drug therapy and after consultation with a gynecologist!

1. Calendula sitz bath decoction.
2. Chamomile decoction. Boil 2 tablespoons of the plant in a glass of water for 15 minutes. The resulting product is used for douching.
3. Decoction of medicinal plants. Also used for douching. To prepare it, you need to combine 25 g of chamomile, 15 g of sage, 10 g of oak bark and mallow flowers. Take 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture, pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew.

Disease prevention

Knowing how dangerous colpitis is during pregnancy, it becomes clear that it is better to prevent the onset of the disease than to suffer from its consequences later. Following some simple rules can help in this matter.

1. Daily hygiene of the genital tract. In this case, it is better to use not soap, but special products intended for intimate hygiene. Excellent proven themselves, for example, "Epigen" and "Lactacyd". The funds are approved for use throughout pregnancy.
2. No panty liners. The relationship between the use of these hygiene products and the occurrence of infections in the vagina has long been noticed. And all because the pads create an ideal environment for the reproduction of various microorganisms.
3. Timely seek help from a gynecologist. Any disease is easierjust treat at the stage of their occurrence.
4. Strengthen immunity.

Be he althy!