Bacterial Vaginitis and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be complicated enough, but sometimes during the nine month term, you may exhibit symptoms of vaginal irritation, itching and burning that should be checked by your OBGYN.
You may believe it’s just another onset of a yeast infection and unsuccessfully try OTC remedies (such as anti-fungal creams and suppositories) that have worked in the past for you when you were diagnosed by your gynecologist with yeast (Candida.)
Any problem should be taken seriously, especially when you are carrying a child to give birth to because everything your body goes through could affect your unborn baby or affect your baby when it’s born.
Bacterial Vaginitis can cause cervical tenderness as well as back and/or pelvic cramping. It’s possible one in five women will develop this infection during their pregnancy. It can raise your risk for preterm labor and birth and some studies have linked it to a higher risk of miscarriage, PPROM (preterm premature rupture of the amniotic membranes) and post delivery uterine infection.
However, the majority of women with Bacterial Vaginitis (a.k.a. Bacterial Vaginosis or Vaginal Bacteriosis) have perfectly normal pregnancies. Women who are high risk are often screened for it. The problem with bacterial vaginitis (otherwise known as Gardnerella) is that it can only be treated with oral or topical antibiotics because it is a bacterial infection. Gynecologists will prescribe medication after the first trimester because it’s best for the developing fetus.
The drug Metronidazole (ex. Vandazole, Flagyl, MetroGel-Vaginal, MetroGel Vaginal, Metro) can be prescribed for oral or topical use. In some instances strep, E-coli, staph or Mycoplasma are at the root of the problem. All BV is contagious. However, men don’t have any symptoms and aren’t affected by it. When your vaginal pH grows to be 4.5 or above and your discharge is thin and yellow, white or gray, it can signal a Bacterial Vaginitis (BV) infection.
It can have a malodorous scent and the smell can be overpowering after sexual contact. Your gynecologist can take a sample and test it to determine what is wrong. It’s important to be tested because sometimes other STDs also have similar symptoms to BV. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia or Trichomoniasis are sometimes present and the reason for your illness. There are many modern ways to cure these issues that aren’t harmful to baby or to Mom.
Some women are asymptomatic and that is why it’s important to go to all of your appointments and make appointments to be seen if you are uncomfortable and feeling yucky.
Natural bacterial vaginitis remedies can help to soothe current symptoms and prevent it from recurring (which about 50% of all women will have another case within 12 months of the first one.) However, pharmaceutical solutions are necessary for a complete recovery and work in plenty of cases. So don’t worry and stay healthy during your pregnancy!