Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

Overview

If you are pregnant and have vaginal infection symptoms, see your doctor. 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), miconazole (such as Monistat), and terconazole.
  • Treatment should be used for 10 to 14 days. (It can take longer than usual to cure a yeast infection during pregnancy.)

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.

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.

References

Citations

  1. 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.

Credits

Current as of:
November 22, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Deborah A. Penava BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology