Curdled discharge during pregnancy: possible causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, gynecological consultation and treatment

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

Pregnancy is a very important and joyful event for every woman. In some cases, this period may be overshadowed by the appearance of he alth problems of the expectant mother. These include toxicosis, low hemoglobin, unusual discharge, and more. The appearance of such symptoms cannot but excite every woman during pregnancy. Before you panic, you need to figure out what is the norm, and in what situations an extraordinary visit to the gynecologist is necessary.

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body undergoes various changes. The first thing the expectant mother usually pays attention to is the nature of the discharge. They can become completely unexpected: slimy, liquid, white, cheesy, yellow, green orstringy.

What is normal?

Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leucorrhoea. They can be white or milky in color without an unpleasant odor. Discharge that is unpleasant or painful, is yellow, green, or red, has an unusual texture or amount, has an off-putting odor, and may be a sign of an infection or other female urinary tract problem.

Yeast infection

Curdled discharge during pregnancy is usually caused by a vaginal yeast infection called vaginal candidiasis or thrush. Such infections occur in cases of imbalance in the microflora of the vagina. The name of the disease comes from the causative agent - the Candida fungus. Such a fungus is present in the body of every woman and does not cause any symptoms as long as its growth is controlled by normal bacteria.

Vaginal candidiasis is extremely common. In many women, the infection occurs while taking antibiotics, douching, or in cases of weakened immunity. Vaginal candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted disease..

Reason for selections

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes a number of physiological changes. These include hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen and progesterone have a direct impact on the development and course of pregnancy. Changing hormone levels affect the pH level in the vagina. Progesterone, necessary for the normal course of pregnancy,induces changes in the mucous membrane of the genital organs: it becomes softer, blood flow in the pelvic region increases, and acidity increases. These factors make the body more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria that cause infections. Therefore, women often develop curdled discharge during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester.

Causes of a yeast infection during pregnancy include:

• Decreased immunity.
• Chronic diseases. For example, diabetes, diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, cancer, HIV and others.
• Lack of personal hygiene or, conversely, too thorough. Especially if the expectant mother uses soap that destroys the microflora of the vagina.
• Tight underwear and clothing.
• Medications such as antibiotics, hormones.
• Unbalanced diet. Excess sugar leads to changes in the microflora of the vagina, which is a favorable environment for the spread of infections.

There are also other factors that can cause white, cheesy discharge during pregnancy. For example:

• Iron deficiency and lack of vitamins. Many expectant mothers experience low hemoglobin levels during childbearing. The amount of iron a pregnant woman gets from food is usually not enough to make up for the deficiency.
• Constipation and other intestinal disorders. Changing stools is a common occurrence during pregnancy. However, this symptom is not normal. Constipation or an upset often leads to a disruption of the microflora, which can cause a curdled discharge during pregnancy.
• Chronic inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract during pregnancy are also quite common.

Symptoms

Unscented and itchy curdled discharge during pregnancy is usually a classic sign of a yeast infection. Among other things, a pregnant woman can detect changes in the color and amount of discharge. Sometimes white curdled discharge during pregnancy can be accompanied by itching and burning, which cause significant discomfort to the woman.

Symptoms of a fungal infection include:

• cheesy discharge;
• itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva;
• pain and burning during urination, as well as during sexual contact;
• redness.

Acute candidiasis is easily treatable if therapy is started on time. However, a yeast infection during pregnancy is often ignored for a long time. Sometimes it begins to be treated after childbirth. As a result, curdled discharge during pregnancy becomes chronic. A woman who has already given birth may experience frequent relapses of the disease. Doctors begin to talk about the chronic course of the disease if there have been 4 or more recurrences of thrush in a year.

Signs of a yeast infection during pregnancy include:

• Vaginal secretion. Thick white or yellow curdled pregnancy discharge that has an unpleasant sour smell.
• Itching and burning. Often in women during pregnancy, white curdled discharge and itching are indispensable companions of a fungal infection. Symptoms become unbearable and interfere with normal daily life.
• Swelling and redness of the mucous membrane in the genital area.

All of the above symptoms of a yeast infection during pregnancy tend to worsen in the evening, while walking (especially due to sweat), physical activity, and also due to fever. Itching and cheesy discharge during pregnancy are often the cause of sleep disturbance.

Diagnosis

The appearance of curdled discharge is an extremely common problem during pregnancy. For the correct selection of treatment, an accurate diagnosis is necessary. Usually, a gynecologist can immediately identify thrush by characteristic secretions that look like cottage cheese. But for reliability, it is necessary to conduct tests to determine the causative agent of the infection.

These include bacterioscopy, culture method and PCR. Research can rule out other causes of vaginal discharge, such as bacterial vaginosis, cystitis, or sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or herpes.

Treatment

Thrush is usually treated with antifungal creams or oral medications. But during pregnancy, taking many medications is contraindicated due to the possible effectto the fruit. To prescribe a safe treatment and further recommendations, you should contact your gynecologist. Self-medication is not recommended. It could be dangerous for the baby.

How to get rid of odorless cheesy discharge during pregnancy? Treatment may take up to 2 weeks. The specialist usually prescribes the use of topical drugs: antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories. However, along with taking medications, it is necessary to maintain hygiene and a balanced diet. An integrated approach is the key to successful treatment of a fungal infection.

Sometimes the symptoms of the disease can disappear within a few days after the start of the use of drugs. Many women at such moments stop being treated. However, this should not be done. It is necessary to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen and complete the full course of medication. Otherwise, recurrence of the infection is inevitable. After the course of treatment, it is necessary to retake tests.

Hygiene

Expectant mother should not use sanitary napkins. It is also better to avoid prolonged physical exertion and overheating. This leads to increased sweating, which can irritate the skin and mucous membranes.

The adoption of water procedures often helps to relieve itching and burning for a while. But after a while, the symptoms will return again. Compliance with one personal hygiene is not enough to get rid of thrush. It is also recommended during treatmentrefrain from sexual contact.

Food

Treating curdled pregnancy without itching or odor involves maintaining a balanced diet. The expectant mother is advised to limit or completely eliminate the use of sweet and spicy foods. Dairy products, fruits and vegetables should be added to the diet.

Sometimes maintaining proper nutrition and hygiene is enough to get rid of the cheesy discharge during early pregnancy. When the first symptoms appear, precautions should be taken immediately. This treatment is the best option for a pregnant woman because she does not need to take any medication that could affect her unborn baby.

Psychological condition

Sometimes nervous tension, stress can be factors that cause the appearance of curdled discharge during pregnancy. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to stabilize her emotional state and resolve internal conflicts. Rest and long sleep are also necessary to maintain the normal psychological state of a pregnant woman.

Prevention

If a woman has already experienced unpleasant discharge before pregnancy, she should be cured of infections, and only then start planning a pregnancy.prevention.

• get a gynecological exam from time to time;
• keep on a he althy diet, as lack of iron and vitamins provokes the progression of chronic diseases, including thrush during pregnancy;
• you must also use condoms during sexual intercourse;
• taking various medications should be carried out only as prescribed by the attending physician;
• do not wear tight synthetic underwear;
• do not forget about personal hygiene, keep the genital area clean and dry;
• to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina, wipe from front to back;
• instead of soap, use special products for intimate hygiene.

If a woman can follow these simple rules, she will not face the appearance of curdled discharge during pregnancy.

Features

There is an opinion that odorless cheesy discharge during pregnancy is not dangerous for the expectant mother and fetus. First, this does not mean that a woman should not treat thrush during pregnancy. Secondly, a yeast infection, like any other, is potentially dangerous during pregnancy. This condition not only causes discomfort to the expectant mother. It also complicates the course of pregnancy and can adversely affect the process of childbirth. A yeast infection can lead to complications. For example, cause erosion of the endometrium, which leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the vagina. itincreases the risk of ruptures during childbirth.

Another risk of developing a yeast infection during pregnancy is passing it on to the baby. The longer a woman delays visiting and consulting a gynecologist to cure thrush, the higher the likelihood that the baby will also have an infection after birth. During the passage of the child through the birth canal, the discharge of the mother can get into the baby's mouth. As a result, the child may develop rashes in the mouth, and not on the genitals: on the cheeks, gums, palate. The infection can also spread to a woman's breasts while breastfeeding. In this case, feeding can become problematic for both the mother and the baby. Soreness, irritation of the nipples, nervous behavior, rejection of the breast, and a rash in the baby are the consequences of an untreated yeast infection during pregnancy. In such situations, treatment should be given to both mother and child.

The worst thing that can happen as a result of infection with thrush is the death of the fetus. Tragedy can occur if the vital organs of the unborn child are damaged. This happens if the infection is not treated at the very beginning of pregnancy, when the formation and development of the fetus occurs. In addition, a woman has an increased risk of premature rupture of amniotic fluid, as well as the threat of miscarriage. That is why it is important not to ignore the appearance of curdled discharge during pregnancy. In the early stages, all necessary measures must be taken as soon as possible.

In closing

During pregnancy, a woman's body prepares and changes for a comfortable bearing of the fetus. Along with physical and psychological changes, the expectant mother may find herself with the appearance of curdled discharge, itching and burning of the vagina. In this case, a woman needs to contact a gynecologist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The specialist should prescribe only topical drugs that are safe for the fetus.

Along with drug treatment, a woman needs to adhere to a he althy diet, hygiene, and avoid stress. Prevention measures and recommendations will also help to avoid a recurrence of a fungal infection.