Vaginal candidiasis is a disease better known as thrush, most often occurring against the background of decreased local or general immunity. The causative agent of this disease is yeast fungi of the genus Candida. Normally, many species of this genus live in the human body and do not cause pathological changes. However, under the conditions described above, they begin to multiply uncontrollably, which causes the following symptoms:
- redness of the vaginal mucosa;
- itching;
- burning when urinating;
- discomfort, pain during sexual intercourse;
- curdled discharge;
- increase in the volume of secretions.
The decline of immunity provokes an imbalance of microflora, but always has its own reasons. This can be stress, endocrine diseases, chronic genitourinary diseases, as well as taking broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microflora. As a result, after discontinuation of the drugs, the so-called colonization of the vaginal environment with microorganisms occurs. Fungal organisms can grow faster while inhibiting the growth of bacteria that provide biological balance.
The development of vaginal candidiasis is often observed in people with diabetes. High levels of glucose provoke the active proliferation of fungal microorganisms, creating a favorable nutrient environment for them. This is also associated with thrush in pregnant women, who experience a natural increase in blood glucose levels during this period. In addition, due to the active restructuring of the body after conception, women experience a temporary drop in local and general immunity. The combination of these two factors increases the likelihood of candidiasis.
Chronic diseases of the genitourinary system can lead to an imbalance of the vaginal microflora, which causes manifestations of thrush. Hormonal imbalance is indirectly related to the body's immune defense.
External manifestations of vaginal candidiasis have similar symptoms to other diseases, for example, genital herpes, as well as the acute stages of a number of sexually transmitted diseases. Candidiasis can be their consequence, so it is extremely important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Does thrush interfere with pregnancy?
Vaginal candidiasis only indirectly affects the possibility of conception, but like any infectious disease during pregnancy, it has a negative effect on the fetus, causing a number of complications.
Sexual intercourse with thrush not only does not bring pleasure due to pain, but also irritates the already inflamed vaginal walls. Mechanical irritation of the mucous membrane worsens its condition. Microcracks and wounds appear, which, due to an imbalance of microflora, easily become infected and heal poorly.
Excessive growth of Candida fungi in the vaginal environment alters the normal acid-base balance. The lifespan of the sperm largely depends on the reaction of the mucus. With candidiasis, it shrinks, which reduces the likelihood of pregnancy. However, this influence is not critical and is not a significant obstacle to conception. It is very important to understand that thrush can greatly complicate pregnancy and harm the fetus. The presence of the disease during pregnancy leads to miscarriages in every third pregnant woman, and half of the children of women suffering from candidiasis are born with manifestations of infection. Fungi affect the oral cavity and mucous membranes of the child’s eyes. Subsequently, the infection can lead to complete blindness of the newborn. Therefore, it is important to treat thrush before pregnancy, and if it occurs during pregnancy, then eliminate it before childbirth.
Chronic thrush is not an immediate obstacle to conception. But in this case, factors that provoke chronic disease can play a negative role. Frequent relapses indicate a malfunction of the immune system or the presence of third-party infections. Treatment during pregnancy is complicated by the drug risk to the fetus. But still this is not a reason for artificial termination of pregnancy. It is necessary to contact a gynecologist in a timely manner to treat the disease and preserve the fetus.
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Conceiving a child with thrush
An exciting question: is it possible to get pregnant while having thrush? does not have a clear answer.
According to doctors, it is quite possible to become pregnant with thrush; this disease has practically no effect on the process of conception. Meanwhile, doctors note that candidiasis changes the acid-base environment in a woman, which in turn can negatively affect the viability and mobility of male semen.
Ideally, both partners should be completely healthy. But, if candidiasis is developed only in a woman, and she decided to have a child without undergoing treatment, then with an absolutely healthy man, whose sperm are unusually mobile, the likelihood of conception is high.
Candidiasis in women and men
Men can suffer from candidal colpitis, although less frequently, and sometimes it occurs without any special symptoms. But the symptoms are the same as in women - itching and burning, this causes inconvenience and pain during sexual intercourse, and, as a result, their number decreases. It turns out to be more correct to ask: does thrush interfere with conceiving a baby?
In addition to the fact that some people experience a decrease in sexual desire for a partner, due to painful associations caused by candidiasis, the diagnosis itself indicates a problem in the body. First of all, these are hormonal imbalances, which, in turn, affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle, which also reduces the likelihood of pregnancy.
For those who did not take their health seriously and started the disease, the question of whether chronic thrush prevents you from getting pregnant is more pressing. The fact is that long-term candidiasis causes other diseases, for example, kidney or genitourinary system, lack of immunity. All this can also prevent pregnancy.
What to do if you have thrush?
A woman who has already encountered difficulties conceiving caused by candidiasis should be examined and treated together with her husband, in order to avoid the risk of repeated infections. Knowing the reason for the development of candidiasis, the doctor will prescribe medications that will destroy the fungus and strengthen the body’s defenses, vitamins, and may advise you to review your daily routine, worry less and rest more.
Curing candidiasis is not enough; it will be necessary to restore and maintain normal microflora, which will help avoid recurrence of the problem in the future.
After treatment, you need to make sure that you are really healthy and wait another month with pregnancy. Do not forget that this is an infection and has no place in the body, like any other.
What to do if pregnancy occurs due to thrush
The fact of the presence of thrush can only be established in a medical institution. The presence of similar symptoms in a pregnant woman is a reason to immediately contact a gynecologist, because thrush carries serious risks for the fetus. It must be said that in pregnant women it occurs 3 times more often and requires immediate treatment. In any case, if a woman, pregnant or not, suspects that she has candidiasis (thrush), only a doctor can prescribe an adequate examination and accurately make a diagnosis in order to identify masked infections, if any, and carry out treatment as correctly as possible.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the doctor prescribes local or combined drug treatment. These can be antifungal vaginal suppositories, ointments, oral medications in combination with dietary adjustments. Remember, even with similar symptoms, you should not resort to self-medication; not only your health, but also that of your child may be at stake.
Is it possible to get pregnant with candidiasis?
What a woman who wants to have a healthy child, but is currently undergoing treatment for candidiasis, needs to know exactly. What are the reproductive capabilities of a woman with this disease in general? Is it possible to conceive with thrush?
What is thrush? To answer all the questions, you must first explain what thrush is. Thrush is a fungal disease. The fungus produces chlamydospores, which transmit the fungus from person to person, but with vaginal thrush, sexual transmission is most likely. That is why during thrush it is necessary to be very attentive to your partners and take care of treating each other. Men can be latent carriers of the disease, that is, having good immunity, the partner, without knowing it, can transmit the fungus to his partner.
Vaginal candidiasis is a common disease. The majority of people on the planet are carriers of candida, and according to statistics, more than 45% of women suffer from vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginitis or fungal dermatitis. But treating this particular form of the disease is very difficult. Not treatment is dangerous. Unfinished vaginal candidiasis can lead to a variety of complications, including infertility.
A large number of women face the problem of treating the disease. But, at present, experts note a decrease in the age limit among those who become ill. Now the average age of women at risk is 18-30 years. Girls can also suffer from vaginal candidiasis, being aged from 3 to 7 years and from 14 to 16 years. Older women, due to age-related changes, may also suffer from this disease.
The question of whether men are carriers of this disease is still open. Vaginal candidiasis can be asymptomatic, but if thrush occurs, then in most cases there are signs such as white vaginal discharge, unpleasant odor, itching, and burning. There is also swelling of the vagina. These symptoms cannot be ignored; you must immediately consult a gynecologist.
The most common causes of vaginal candidiasis are:
- venereal diseases;
- non-venereal diseases of the genitourinary system;
- a cold treated with antibiotics;
- viral infections;
- menopause;
- mechanical trauma to the vagina and other damage to the mucous membrane;
- reduced immunity.
Another reason for the development of the disease may be pregnancy. It is during this period that a woman’s body is most vulnerable, and the disease can develop, jeopardizing the successful delivery of the pregnancy.
Interestingly, what can lead to thrush:
- improper intimate hygiene;
- visiting public baths and saunas;
- swimming in ponds;
- unbalanced diet;
- unsuitable climatic conditions;
- wearing synthetic underwear.
You can also become infected through medical instruments. That is why it is necessary to visit only trusted medical centers and a trusted gynecologist. Another option is to purchase a disposable examination kit. Such kits are sold in all pharmacies. The main thing to remember is that thrush and conception are completely compatible things.
Vaginal candidiasis does not provoke dysfunction of the reproductive system. Most experts now believe that it is possible to become pregnant with thrush, although, according to statistics, this phenomenon is very rare. The chronic form of the disease is practically incurable. It is with this form of the disease that it is important to know whether it is possible to get pregnant with thrush? Is conception possible and what complications will there be during pregnancy?
With this disease, it is quite difficult to conceive a child, that is, the fact that thrush prevents you from getting pregnant is a real fact. This is due to the fact that the microflora of the vagina changes: from a healthy acid-base, in which conception is likely in 98% of cases, to a fungal, pathogenic one, with a transition to alkaline, in which conception is almost impossible, since sperm die in an alkaline environment. Thus, reduced acidity in the vagina is a real obstacle to conception. This means that the question of whether thrush affects conception can be answered positively: there are certain difficulties and obstacles.
The effect of thrush on the fetus
Fungi of the genus Candida do not directly threaten the embryo in the early stages of pregnancy. But the disease they cause creates severe physical and psychological discomfort in the expectant mother. Itching, pain in the perineum, burning sensation when urinating make a woman irritable and cause a persistent feeling of anxiety about the health of the pregnant baby. This condition is extremely undesirable for pregnant women. It sometimes harms the embryo even more than thrush itself, especially in the first trimester, when the formation of organs and body systems occurs. Therefore, expectant mothers, even if thrush occurs during pregnancy, which is not uncommon, need to remain calm and carefully follow the doctor’s instructions.
How does thrush affect conception?
Is it possible to get pregnant with thrush and erosion if others have succeeded?
Yes, some women have very strong reproductive systems. They get pregnant without contraceptives, in spite of everything, and not because of anything! Today there is one trend - women on forums are more interested in how to get pregnant, and not in how to protect themselves. Literally 20 years ago it was the other way around. Perhaps candidiasis is not the main problem in infertility, but it undoubtedly contributes to such statistics.
Nowadays, unhealthy eating, the craze for fasting and fasting days and mono-diets that impoverish the body lead to problems with conception.
Candidiasis is not officially recognized as a cause that interferes with the reproductive functions of the female body. You can get pregnant with cystitis and thrush, as well as with more severe diseases, for example, sexually transmitted diseases.
Lack of pregnancy may be due to other reasons:
- a woman with symptoms of candidiasis shirks “marital responsibilities”;
- fear of infecting your partner or spouse with a fungus or secondary infection;
- the need to avoid intimate relationships during the period of intensive treatment for Candida fungus in the acute phase on the recommendation of the attending physician;
- a sharp shift to the acidic side in the vagina is detrimental to active sperm if this is a chronic disease of thrush with “habitual” symptoms.
There have been cases when, in acute or chronic forms of candidiasis, full fertilization occurred. But this does not mean that vaginal fungus does not need to be fought, especially when there are problems conceiving your first child.
Treatment of thrush in pregnant women
Unfortunately, most effective antifungal drugs that successfully fight vaginal candidiasis are contraindicated in pregnant women, as they are harmful to the fetus to one degree or another. Usually the doctor prescribes topical medications. These are vaginal suppositories, ointments containing fungicides (substances that inhibit the development of fungi).
Starting in the second trimester, the doctor may prescribe the drug for oral administration. The list of approved drugs increases as the end of pregnancy approaches, so most patients have a high chance of getting rid of the disease before giving birth. Medicines are selected individually. What matters is the neglect of thrush, the history of previous relapses, and treatment methods. If necessary, a laboratory test is performed to determine the effect of the drug on a specific type of pathogen.
Chronic and difficult to treat forms of thrush must be monitored and every effort must be made to overcome. Vaginal candidiasis often occurs against the background of progressive diabetes mellitus. It may be necessary to examine the endocrine system and, if diabetes mellitus is detected or progresses, lower blood sugar levels by selecting a drug, as well as following a diet low in simple carbohydrates and animal fats. In parallel with the effect on the underlying cause, it is recommended to carry out local treatment to prevent complications.
Is it possible to get pregnant during thrush and other pressing questions for expectant mothers and fathers
- Is it possible to get pregnant with thrush in women?
Can. Although the chances of conception are lower, fertilization is possible. Therefore, if a couple is not yet planning a child, then during intimacy with candidiasis it is imperative to use contraception. It is best to discuss the choice of the safest options with your gynecologist.
- Is it possible to get pregnant with chronic thrush?
Compared to episodic cases, this course of the disease further complicates the possibility of conception. This is due to long-term pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the genital organs, as well as concomitant infections of the intimate area. However, in such a situation, the possibility itself cannot be excluded.
- Is it possible to get pregnant during treatment?
And again the answer is positive. Neither the disease itself nor antifungal drugs can completely disrupt all processes associated with fertilization. Since when pregnancy occurs during this period, the development of the fetus will be affected not only by fungi, but also by chemicals, it is still better to protect yourself.
- Is it possible to get pregnant after thrush?
It is possible and necessary! This option is the most suitable for planning a successful pregnancy. Recovery not only increases the chances of conception, but also reduces the risk of pathological processes in fetal development. After treatment, it is better for a woman to undergo a full examination to ensure the absence of pathogens. To restore normal microflora, you need to give up yeast-based baked goods and increase the consumption of fermented milk products (yogurt, kefir).
Planning during chronic thrush
With a chronic infection, as some experts say, you can plan, but only if you follow your doctor’s instructions. First, it is important to undergo a comprehensive examination; if hidden infections or other diseases are diagnosed, and thrush often occurs against their background, everything needs to be treated.
So, sometimes it is not possible to get pregnant, but the reason for this is not candidiasis, but other possible problems. For example, healthy microflora can be suppressed by sexually transmitted diseases and a decrease in estrogen concentration.
Conception should be planned only after treatment has been completed. Because not all medications are safe for the fetus. Since we have already found out whether it is possible to get pregnant during thrush, doctors recommend not having sex or using a condom until treatment is completed. It will protect your partner from infection and also prevent pregnancy.
Symptoms of the disease
An infectious disease manifests itself as follows:
- the appearance of copious whitish discharge with an unpleasant sour odor;
- the presence of severe itching in the external and internal genital tract;
- irritation and inflammation of the vaginal walls, which is accompanied by pain during sexual intercourse;
- the appearance of a feeling of swelling in the limbs.
Does thrush prevent you from getting pregnant? Is it necessary to fight this disease when planning a pregnancy? How can vaginal candidiasis harm a child?
What causes thrush?
There are many factors contributing to the development of candidiasis. Many experts believe that this disease is not transmitted between people, but this opinion is erroneous. Due to certain circumstances, a decrease in immunity occurs, which contributes to the progression of fungal microflora.
Circumstances influencing the development of thrush:
Uncontrolled use of antibiotics leads to thrush
- lack of personal hygiene and hazardous production;
- non-vitaminized diet;
- a sharp change in climate and a decrease in the body’s protective functions;
- use of antibiotics without medical supervision;
- chronic or acute diseases of the genital organs.
Thrush infection can occur through a medical instrument during a gynecological examination. Therefore, you should only contact trusted clinics or use one-time gynecological examinations.
