Candida is a controversial health topic that is quickly becoming more well-known. Most conventional doctors don’t believe the ailment exists because there are so many different symptoms associated with the disease. However, those that do believe in Candida tend to be very passionate about it. There has never been a large, definitive study done on the ability for a woman who suffers from Candida to conceive. However, the more common yeast infection form of Candida is thought to interfere with a woman’s body chemistry, potentially stopping conception from occurring.
A yeast infection can release toxins into the bloodstream and cause a range of issues like vaginal thrush, arthritis, autism, asthma, psoriasis, and in some extreme cases, infertility. To deal with these types of infections effectively, you can use over-the-counter yeast infection medications or creams. Another way to fight off these infections is by changing your diet to a no yeast, anti-candida diet.
The most common signs of a yeast infection include itching, redness, and swelling in the vaginal area. You may also experience inflammation around the urinary opening, more frequent urination, and painful urination. In severe cases, the vulva may swell, and small fissures can appear. Discharge can become thick and white. Intercourse will usually become painful as well. If your sexual partner also has these symptoms, they will need to be treated for the infection as well so that you can conceive more easily.
Yeast infections unfortunately become more common once a woman becomes pregnant. Studies have shown that women are actually more susceptible to yeast infections during pregnancy than any other time in their lives, especially during the second trimester. Although there is no evidence that the yeast infection can damage the baby or cause any sort of birth defect, the number of drugs that can be used to treat the infection are limited due to the fact that you’re pregnant. This can be incredibly frustrating as yeast infections mostly cause a major amount of discomfort – on top of the already high amounts of discomfort many women experience due to pregnancy itself.
Yeast infections are more common during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. Many things happen to a woman’s body during pregnancy, one of which is an increase in hormones. This can cause changes in the pH balance of the vagina, making it more hospitable for yeast. Additionally, there is often an increase in sugar in vaginal secretions during the second trimester of pregnancy, which provides yeast with the food it needs to grow and multiply quickly – leading to infection and discomfort for the pregnant woman.
The most common and least evasive treatments of yeast infections during pregnancy are over-the-counter and prescription creams and suppositories. If left untreated, a yeast infection can be passed to your baby during birth via the mouth. This is called thrush and can be treated with a prescription drug called Nystatin. Treatment time of the infection while pregnant can range from a week to two weeks. You should have a much easier time controlling your pH, and your Candida once the pregnancy is over. Making sure to take proper care of yourself during this time will be well worth it in the end!
