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Vaginal infections and pregnancy: detect and treat as soon as possible
A woman’s vagina is far from a sterile environment. On the contrary, the vaginal flora – or microbiota – is colonized by a set of microorganisms, starting with those responsible for its protection: Döderlein’s bacilli. These friendly bacteria protect the vagina against the intrusion of pathogenic bacteria. Döderlein’s bacilli feed on secretions from the vagina and convert them into lactic acid. They allow the vagina to keep an acidity rate between 3,5 and 4,5 pH. However, it happens that the pH of the vagina is unbalanced, especially during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations.
Mycosis and other vaginal infections: the causes
Vaginal infections can happen if you do too much personal hygiene, using aggressive soap, or by douching. In this case, the Döderlein bacilli are eliminated and the pathogenic bacteria take the opportunity to settle. It is better to use intimate hygiene products, known to be gentler on the intimate area, or even to be confined to washing with clean water. The vagina is said to be “self-cleaning”: there is no need to clean the inside, this happens naturally.
Another factor that can kill good bacteria: antibiotics. If you have taken oral antibiotics, these can also kill Döderlein’s bacilli and therefore lead to infection a few weeks later.
Last but not least, sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoae), chlamydia or mycoplasma, can cause vaginal infections.
Vaginal infections: symptoms and treatment
The symptoms are easy to recognize. You will feel a sensation of burning when urinating, urination, or you will see your vaginal discharge change color. They can be brown, yellow or black like rulers, and become smelly.
Blame it on the fungus Candida albicans ?
If your discharge is milky, curd-like, and you have burns, the infection is probably due to a microscopic fungus, a parasite of the human body, the Candida albicans. Usually Candida is present in the body, but following antibiotic treatment it can start to multiply and develop abnormally in the vagina. This fungus secretes aggressive and irritating substances for the mucous membranes, hence the inflammation. The fungus spreads everywhere, in the folds and moist areas, mucous membranes in the first place. This is called candidiasis or mycosis.
Cow to treat vaginal infection?
The treatment can be purchased directly from a pharmacy and is carried out in two ways: you can soothe the burn on the vulva with a cream and inserting an egg into the vagina which will act locally. Some eggs may contain Lactobacillus rhamnosus. They will “reseed” the vagina with protective flora. Others make it possible to promote the “recolonization” of the vagina by restoring its acidity, by administering, among other things, lactic acid. On the other hand, if the vaginal infection comes from an STI, it will be necessary to go, with your partner to the doctor. The latter will take a sample with a small swab and send it to the laboratory to find out the pathogenic germ responsible for the infection. Depending on the results, it will give you and your partner a targeted antibiotic treatment to destroy the germ in question. During this time, abstain from having sex, or protect yourself with condoms, so as not to recontaminate each other before being treated.
Pregnant, what to do and what are the risks in case of yeast infection?
If you are pregnant and have symptoms of infection, tell your midwife or gynecologist. Vaginal infection is not dangerous for the fetus that if the water bag is cracked or broken, which can lead to an infection of the uterus (chorioamnionitis). Fortunately, this case is very rare, and most of the time your baby is well protected in his sterile pouch. The doctor will give you antimycotic and / or antibiotic treatment compatible with pregnancy.