This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Tran Lam Khoa - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
During pregnancy, the resistance of the mother's body decreases, along with hormonal changes, increasing the risk of gynecological inflammatory diseases. Cervicitis during pregnancy not only affects the psychology and daily activities of women but also significantly affects the health of mother and fetus. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, amniotic fluid infection, neonatal sepsis, and increased risk of postpartum mortality.
1. Is cervicitis during pregnancy dangerous?
Cervicitis is an inflammatory condition caused by pathogens entering the cervix to exist and grow to cause disease. Normally, women are also very susceptible to cervicitis if they do not pay attention to reproductive health care. For pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months and the last 3 months of the cycle, the risk of cervicitis is higher.
Cervicitis during pregnancy affects the health of mother and baby such as:
Inconvenience to daily life: when having cervicitis, pregnant women see a lot of discharge, abnormal color and has an unpleasant odor. The intimate area feels itchy, painful and swollen, making it very difficult for women to function. Severe cervicitis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth. Especially cervicitis during the first 3 months of pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. If left untreated, it can cause amniotic fluid infection, postpartum infection in newborns. Children are also likely to get pneumonia, eye diseases...
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2. Causes of cervicitis during pregnancy
Hormonal imbalance in the first trimester of pregnancy, the body has many changes to reduce resistance, hormonal imbalance makes viruses, bacteria, fungi... have conditions to invade and development causes gynecological inflammatory diseases, including cervicitis. Vaginal environment changes: The imbalance of female hormones during pregnancy also leads to a change in the pH of the vaginal environment. In addition, some pregnant women regularly use strong alkaline cleaning solutions, which change the vaginal environment and cause bacteria to spread from the vagina to the cervix and cause cervicitis. Unsafe sex: Having sex during pregnancy without a safe method also makes it easy for bacteria to spread and cause inflammation. Not cleaning the intimate area regularly or improperly is also the reason why women are prone to cervicitis as well as other gynecological inflammatory diseases.
3. Identification signs
Signs of cervicitis vary according to the cause of the disease
Caused by bacteria or fungi... there are different signs.
Usually gynecological infections have signs such as:
Vaginal discharge, abnormal color such as milky white, yellow, green... Or mixed with blood, with an unpleasant odor. Itching, swelling in the private area, Burning sensation in the private area, especially when urinating. Pain and possible bleeding during sex, unusual vaginal bleeding may be seen. Pain in the lower abdomen.
4. Treatment of cervicitis during pregnancy
When there are abnormal signs of a gynecological infection during pregnancy, a woman should go to a medical facility for examination, know the causative agent of the gynecological infection and be prescribed the appropriate medicine. Usually, when examining, combined with a vaginal discharge test, the doctor finds out that the cause of cervicitis may be a fungus, bacteria, from which a vaginal medication is suitable for the condition. Vaginal tablets that doctors prescribe are often a combination of 3 antibiotics and antifungal drugs for the local treatment of bacterial or fungal infections of the vagina and cervix. Prescription drugs used for pregnant women are those that have not been shown to be harmful to pregnant women, so when necessary and when the benefits outweigh the harms, the doctor still prescribes the suppositories. Things to pay attention to when treating cervicitis during pregnancy
Adhere to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, do not arbitrarily stop the drug and also do not arbitrarily take the drug without an indication, especially during 3 months of pregnancy head. Usually, if you have a fungal infection, your doctor will prescribe a combination treatment for your husband, you must adhere to using the full dose. Combine vaginal tablets with feminine hygiene water to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Do not have sex during treatment. Wear loose-fitting clothes, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. Keeping mentally comfortable, avoiding anxiety and stress will also help mothers effectively treat the disease. Re-examination after taking the medicine.
5. How to prevent gynecological infections during pregnancy
Clean the private area clean and properly, wipe from front to back (from vagina to anus), do not do the opposite. After defecating or urinating, it is necessary to clean the intimate area by washing with clean water and then drying with a specialized cotton towel. Cotton towels need to be changed and washed daily, preferably in the sun. Do not douche in the vagina, especially pregnant women because it can cause damage to the vaginal area and cause uterine bleeding. Before and after sex, the couple needs to clean the genitals clean. Choose underwear made of breathable cotton with good absorbency. Avoid using strong detergents and solutions. A reasonable diet, limiting sweets, increasing the intake of green vegetables and fruits, especially foods rich in vitamin C, helps to increase resistance. Cervicitis during pregnancy has a significant impact on the health of the mother and the fetus, so women should pay attention to avoid gynecological infections during pregnancy. When there are signs of disease, women should not self-medicate, but should go to reputable medical facilities to be examined and prescribed appropriate drugs that will not affect the fetus.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is always healthy and the fetus is fully developed , helping mothers have more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as minimize complications affecting mother and child.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.