Does vaginitis affect pregnancy?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 06, 2024
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If a woman has vaginitis, it can affect her ability to become pregnant.

First, during the period of preparing for pregnancy, vaginitis can interfere with the combination of sperm and egg, which can easily lead to unsuccessful fertilization.

Second, if a woman has vaginitis after becoming pregnant, it is essential to treat it promptly. Otherwise, the inflammation of the vagina can easily lead to cervicitis, which can then spread upward, causing chorioamnionitis. If chorioamnionitis continues to spread to the interior of the uterine cavity, it can cause premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine infection.

Therefore, if symptoms of vaginitis are present, it is necessary to promptly perform routine vaginal discharge tests to identify the type of inflammation and treat it accordingly, whether before or during pregnancy. Vaginitis is treatable with medication in both circumstances.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have vaginitis?

Vaginitis requires a hospital examination. Because the bacteria responsible for vaginitis vary, the clinical manifestations and medications used also vary. If the vaginal discharge appears like curds or cottage cheese, it suggests yeast vaginitis, and it should be treated with medication specific for yeast infections. In the case of yeast vaginitis, if the discharge becomes watery and has a fishy smell, it generally indicates a trichomonas infection, for which medications such as metronidazole or tinidazole can be used topically. If the discharge is yellow, thick, and abundant, caused by bacteria or cervical erosion, it should be treated as bacterial vaginitis accordingly. Therefore, it is essential to have a laboratory test of the secretions at a hospital to determine the type of infection and treat it accordingly.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 9sec home-news-image

How is yeast vaginitis caused?

Yeast vaginitis, also known as candidal vaginitis, generally forms due to improper care. Normally, the vaginal environment is acidic. If a person is particularly hygienic and uses cleansing solutions or water to wash the vagina daily, it can disrupt the vaginal microbiota, leading to recurrent episodes of yeast vaginitis. Additionally, long-term use of large doses of anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, resulting in recurrent yeast infections. Furthermore, patients with poorly controlled diabetes may also experience recurrent yeast infections. Pregnant women, 30%-40% of whom, may also develop yeast vaginitis due to microbial imbalance. Moreover, in households where someone has athlete's foot, washing socks and shorts together can also lead to yeast infections. Therefore, in addition to treatment, the precautions mentioned earlier should also be taken seriously.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The Harm of Candidal Vaginitis

The harm of yeast vaginitis manifests as severe itching of the vulva, which can significantly affect a patient's daily life. Therefore, yeast vaginitis has a substantial impact on the body, affecting work and studies, and must be actively treated. Clinically, yeast vaginitis presents with curd-like or cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, which is itchy but odorless. At this time, treatment requires going to a hospital to obtain a secretion sample for testing. After confirming the diagnosis of yeast vaginitis, appropriate medication is selected based on the test results to treat the condition symptomatically. If not treated actively, yeast vaginitis may recur around the time of the next menstrual period and can worsen before and after menstruation. Thus, it is crucial to actively seek symptomatic treatment for yeast vaginitis.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is fungal vaginitis caused?

Common causes of candidal vulvovaginitis include long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, patients with diabetes, patients who long-term use immunosuppressive drugs, wearing tight underwear, and moisture in sanitary products. All these factors can lead to the occurrence of candidal vulvovaginitis. Changing unhealthy lifestyles, stopping the use of antibiotics, actively treating diabetes, wearing breathable cotton underwear, and keeping the vulva clean can all reduce the occurrence of candidal vulvovaginitis.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat vaginitis with medication

Vaginitis can be treated with oral medication and vaginal medication. For trichomoniasis vaginitis and yeast vaginitis, vaginal medications are quite effective, but these types can also be treated with oral medications. If it is bacterial vaginitis, it is best to use oral medication. Vaginitis is mainly related to sexual activity, so it is essential to maintain hygiene during sexual activity. It is important to wear breathable, cotton underwear and to expose sanitary products to sunlight to reduce the occurrence of vaginitis. It is advisable to have a steady sexual partner and avoid frequent sexual activity; generally, two to three times a week is most suitable.