Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Recurrent Vaginal Infection During Pregnancy?
Question: I am 21 weeks pregnant and have had recurrent vaginal infections and thrush infections during my pregnancy.
A friend of mine suggested I take oral probiotic supplements to try and help.
I purchased a product called Optibak which claims to contain over 2.3 billion live cultures proven to reach the vaginal tract alive. The product stakes on it 'safe for pregnancy'
1) Is it safe for me to take oral probiotic tablets in pregnancy?
2) The symptoms of my thrush disappear when I use antifungal cream (Canesten) but they reappear a few days after I stop so I have to start again. My vaginal discharge is normal but I refer to the itchiness which returns a few days after stopping to apply the cream. What could be the reason for this? Do you have any advice what I should do to help the situation?
Many thanks
A friend of mine suggested I take oral probiotic supplements to try and help.
I purchased a product called Optibak which claims to contain over 2.3 billion live cultures proven to reach the vaginal tract alive. The product stakes on it 'safe for pregnancy'
1) Is it safe for me to take oral probiotic tablets in pregnancy?
2) The symptoms of my thrush disappear when I use antifungal cream (Canesten) but they reappear a few days after I stop so I have to start again. My vaginal discharge is normal but I refer to the itchiness which returns a few days after stopping to apply the cream. What could be the reason for this? Do you have any advice what I should do to help the situation?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
As below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
First question - yes, it is safe to use oral probiotic supplements during pregnancy.
They are quite safe.
Regarding recurrent fungal infection, Some women are prone to it and pregnancy predisposes to it.
It is a good idea to get a vaginal swab and culture to rule out a particularly aggressive strain or a mixed infection.
Also get your blood sugar tested as diabetes can cause this problem.
Avoid cleaning vigorously with any kind of product in the genital area, it might deplete normal vaginal flora.
Just plain water is fine.
Again have you used antibiotics recently for any reason ?
If your partner is diabetic, unprotected sex may trigger infection for you.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further
As below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
First question - yes, it is safe to use oral probiotic supplements during pregnancy.
They are quite safe.
Regarding recurrent fungal infection, Some women are prone to it and pregnancy predisposes to it.
It is a good idea to get a vaginal swab and culture to rule out a particularly aggressive strain or a mixed infection.
Also get your blood sugar tested as diabetes can cause this problem.
Avoid cleaning vigorously with any kind of product in the genital area, it might deplete normal vaginal flora.
Just plain water is fine.
Again have you used antibiotics recently for any reason ?
If your partner is diabetic, unprotected sex may trigger infection for you.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your reply.
Do you think it is sufficient for me to get a lower vaginal swab or does it have to be an upper swab?
To be honest, I am quite nervous about having repeated internal swabs as I fear this in itself might cause an infection.
I have had at least three so far.
We have not had relations since conception since I had bleeding in pregnancy so it is not my partner.
I also had blood sugar tested a few weeks ago so don't think it's diabetes.
Do you think I could rule out infection since the vaginal discharge is normal. The itching is on the outside of the vagina and in the rectal area.
Many thanks
Do you think it is sufficient for me to get a lower vaginal swab or does it have to be an upper swab?
To be honest, I am quite nervous about having repeated internal swabs as I fear this in itself might cause an infection.
I have had at least three so far.
We have not had relations since conception since I had bleeding in pregnancy so it is not my partner.
I also had blood sugar tested a few weeks ago so don't think it's diabetes.
Do you think I could rule out infection since the vaginal discharge is normal. The itching is on the outside of the vagina and in the rectal area.
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
As below
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
A lower vaginal swab would suffice.
Yes, it would be a vulval infection, but still a swab would help.
Take care.
As below
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
A lower vaginal swab would suffice.
Yes, it would be a vulval infection, but still a swab would help.
Take care.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
