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Metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy: causes, remedies
The metallic taste during pregnancy is the result of hormonal changes in the body. During pregnancy, the amount of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increases in a woman’s body. These hormones can affect taste.
When does a metallic taste occur?
A pregnant woman is advised to consult a doctor if she has an unusual perception of food, smells, or a deterioration in well-being. A metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy can be caused by pathology. To determine the disease, you will need to undergo an examination, donate blood, urine and smears for analysis.
If you feel a metallic taste during pregnancy, you need to visit a doctor.
Reasons why there is a metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy:
- fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone and other hormones, as a result of which the receptors react differently to familiar food;
- taking perinatal drugs, vitamin complexes or drugs for anemia;
- bleeding wounds in the mouth, respiratory tract, digestive organs;
- acid reflux – ingestion of gastric contents into the larynx when regurgitating food, belching;
- vitamin deficiency, iron deficiency anemia;
- diseases of the oral cavity – stomatitis, glossitis, others;
- poisoning by fumes of mercury.
Doctors recommend first of all to eliminate unbalanced nutrition, as well as to observe oral hygiene. These factors negatively affect the perception of food by receptors.
Methods for eliminating metallic taste during pregnancy
If the unpleasant sensation of iron in the mouth occurs in the I-II trimester, it is recommended to interrupt it with home methods – to jam or rinse your mouth with a weak soda solution.
You can remove a metallic taste if:
- eat sour, spicy food, peppermint candy;
- drink lemonade or cherry compote;
- exclude mineral water enriched with iron from consumption.
Removing food debris in the mouth prevents the receptors on the tongue from continuing to contact them, causing a long-lasting aftertaste. Brush your teeth and tongue every time you eat or drink.
It is recommended that other possible causes be ruled out to prevent iron taste in the mouth. For example, untreated mains water may contain particles from old pipes. They are the ones that leave an unpleasant aftertaste on the tongue.
When cooking food in an aluminum, cast iron, or with a damaged enamel coating, food can acquire an iron taste.
A woman needs to take good care of her health, start using purified water for drinking and cooking. Such measures will help to minimize the unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy.