Pregnancy isn’t always pretty and here are some DIY suggestions for natural yeast infection treatments during pregnancy. Sometimes, those pesky YIs can be downright itchy. In the second and third trimesters, many pregnant women will experience the telltale signs of a yeast infection: odorless “cottage cheese” discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching around the labia and/or burning during intercourse or urination.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, do NOT panic: this is completely normal.
While pregnancy can bring so much joy, it can also cause morning sickness, stretch marks and an itchy belly. A yeast infection during pregnancy is definitely a nuisance, however, yeast infections are easily treatable. And even better — you can treat most infections with items already in your pantry! Read about home remedies for yeast infection during pregnancy.
What causes a yeast infection during pregnancy?
Several other factors cause yeast infections, including one or more of the following:
- Hormonal changes that come with pregnancy or before your period
- Taking hormones or birth control pills
- Taking antibiotics or steroids
- High blood sugar, as in diabetes
- Vaginal intercourse
- Douching
- Blood or semen
- Increased stress levels
However, future women are more prone to yeast infections due to chemical imbalances in the vaginal environment. With increased sugar in the vaginal discharge, the natural bacteria living in your hoo-ha continue to feed in a frenzy to create the fungus.
Yeast Infections During Pregnancy Natural Remedies
We love to try natural remedies when we can. Here are some widely praised remedies that women, pregnant or not, have used to get rid of their YIs. As always, consult your doctor before treatment.
CAPSULES, SUPPOSITIONS & TOPICAL TREATMENTS. Support your vaginal health by balancing your pH level with these easy-to-use capsules, gels and suppositories.
Try a Yeast + Vaginal capsule for pH support
Try it Boric acid vaginal suppositories 600mg without applicator
Try it Boric acid vaginal suppositories 600mg with applicator
If you have an itch that won’t go away, you may need something stronger but over-the-counter. You can test the maximum strength benzocaine anti-itch cream as a yeast infection treatment. For one yeast infection homeopathic treatment you can try this vaginal gel made with cooling witch hazel.
YOGHURT. Since yeast infections are caused by “bad bacteria” running rampant, introducing good bacteria can help you win the tiny war going on in your nether regions. And that’s where yogurt comes in.
Yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, a bacteria that happens to be found in healthy vaginas. While some women treat their YIs by consuming a ton of yogurt, the quicker and more direct approach requires them to push the good stuff up there.
There are a few ways to do this. The easiest way is to apply some yogurt to the tip of a tampon and insert it. Others use a syringe (without a needle, of course) or a spice bottle to push the yogurt into the vagina. For expectant moms who want a cool treat, make frozen yogurt popsicles by stuffing the fingers of disposable gloves.
When the yogurt has hardened, take out the yogurt stick and put it in the vagina. Many women prefer frozen pops because they also help relieve swollen, irritated lips. If you try to treat a yeast infection with yogurt, be sure to use plain, unsweetened yogurt. Flavored yogurt will introduce extra sugar into your vagina, which will only increase the yeast.
GARLICI. In addition to being delicious, the medicinal properties of garlic have been respected for centuries. When used to treat a yeast infection, garlic’s natural antifungal properties actually kill the yeast.
While you can eat garlic bread morning, day and night, there is a more convenient way to help heal your infection. I think you know what I treat with garlic for yeast infection during pregnancy. If the infection is mild, many natural moms advise inserting a fresh clove of garlic into the vagina every 4-8 hours until the symptoms subside. Or you can always get one odorless garlic softgels.
To use fresh garlic, the first thing you want to do is peel the clove. Many warn against piercing the skin, as its juices can sting inside the vagina. However, every woman’s job down there is different, and some have reported that there is no sting at all.
Experiment with different “doses” to see how your body reacts. For a stronger treatment, pierce the clove with a fingernail several times. If the sting isn’t too bad, try cutting the clove in half. While the garlic clove can’t be lost inside you, removing it can involve a few moments of panic and a few acrobatic maneuvers. That’s why many women tie a string around the clove for easy and quick removal.
I hope these natural remedies for yeast infection during pregnancy were helpful! If you’re also experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, be sure to check out our OBGYN-recommended pregnancy skin care made specifically for expectant moms and babies.
Did you have a yeast infection during pregnancy? If you have tried these natural remedies, did they work well for you?
