How pregnancy effects vaginal health
During pregnancy, you expect your body to go through many obvious changes, such as larger breasts and a growing abdomen.
What you may not know is your vagina goes through changes, too. It’s important to understand how pregnancy affects vaginal health, even after you give birth.
During pregnancy
One of the most noticeable vaginal changes during pregnancy is the increase in vaginal discharge. It’s caused by high levels of estrogen and progesterone. An increase in blood volume and blood flow can also contribute to increased vaginal discharge.
Pregnancy discharge should be thin, white, and milky. It may get heavier as your due date approaches. It shouldn’t smell bad, but it may have a mild odor that’s more noticeable than before.
Increased risk of vaginal infections
Vaginal infections are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that alter your vagina´s pH balance. Common infections during pregnancy are yeast infections (candidiasis) and bacterial vaginosis.
Yeast infection occurs when the normal levels of acid and yeast in the vagina are out of balance, which allows the yeast to overgrow causing an uncomfortable, but not serious, condition called a yeast infection. Though yeast infections have no major negative effect on pregnancy, they are often more difficult to control during pregnancy, causing significant discomfort for you. Always seek treatment if you have a suspicious yeast infection.
Bacterial vaginosis: Is Characterized by a shift from a healthy vaginal microbiome, dominated by acid-producing bacteria to a vagina dominated by unhealthy bacteria. The most prominent symptom of BV is a strong fishy vaginal odor. Some women also see increased amounts of discharge that is gray in color. A burning sensation when you urinate, itching in the vulvovaginal area and pain during sex are other symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Approximately 10% – 30% of pregnant women will experience bacterial vaginosis (BV) during their pregnancy. Always seek treatment if you have symptoms.
Increased vaginal swelling
Your blood flow increases significantly during pregnancy. It’s not unusual for your labia and vagina to appear swollen and feel fuller. Hormonal changes and increased blood flow may also cause your vagina and labia to darken and take on a bluish tint. Also, various veins can appear in your vulvar and vaginal areas. Those veins may cause pressure, fullness and discomfort in your vulva and vagina.
Get relief by applying a cold compress and elevating your hips when lying down. Most vulvar varicose veins go away on their own some weeks after giving birth.
Vaginal itching
Pregnant women often experience vaginal itching at some point during pregnancy. This is a normal and common occurrence. Many things can cause vaginal itching. Some may be the result of the changes your body is going through. Other causes may not be associated with your pregnancy at all whether some can depend on yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or other infections. Always seek help if the problems stay for weeks.
Vaginal dryness
Hormonal changes may cause vaginal dryness to occur in some people during pregnancy. Anecdotal evidence indicates that those who are breastfeeding when they conceive are more likely to experience this symptom. Redness, irritation, and pain during sex may also occur.
Read more about how VagiVital active gel can help your dryness.
Read more about how VagiVital active gel can help your dryness