Topic Overview
Vaginal yeast infections are a common problem during pregnancy. They may be caused by high estrogen levels. These infections aren't a risk to the pregnancy. But they can cause uncomfortable symptoms.
If you are pregnant and have vaginal infection symptoms, see your doctor. Don't assume that your symptoms are caused by a harmless yeast infection. If you have bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, you will need treatment to prevent problems during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, do not use non-prescription yeast infection medicine unless you discuss it with your doctor first. Experts recommend that during pregnancy:footnote 1
- Vaginal medicines should be used for yeast infection treatment. These may be vaginal creams or suppositories.
- Only certain medicines should be used. Non-prescription medicines include clotrimazole (such as Canesten or Clotrimaderm), miconazole (such as Monistat), terconazole (such as Terazol), and butoconazole (such as Gynazole-1).
- Treatment should be used for 7 days. (It can take longer than usual to cure a yeast infection during pregnancy.)
In the past, nystatin (such as Ratio-Statin) was the drug of choice for the first trimester of pregnancy. But now all vaginal medicines are considered safe during pregnancy.
Related Information
References
Citations
- Expert Working Group on Canadian Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections (2013). Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections: Section 4—Management and treatment of specific syndromes. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/cgsti-ldcits/section-4-8-eng.php. Accessed May 22, 2015.
Other Works Consulted
- Expert Working Group on Canadian Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections (2014). Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections: Supplementary statement for recommendations related to the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of vaginal discharge. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/cgsti-ldcits/disc-pert-eng.php. Accessed May 22, 2015.
Credits
Current as of: November 8, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Deborah A. Penava, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Current as of: November 8, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Deborah A. Penava, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology