Pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause a yeast infection or Candidiasis when the natural balance of the vagina is thrown off. The change in your body during pregnancy causes your immune system to be weakened, which can open you up to infection and illness. One of the most common yeast infection symptoms is vaginal odor, which a bacterial imbalance in the vagina could have caused. Pregnant women are susceptible to yeast infections because hormonal changes prevent their normal bacteria from fighting off an overgrowth of yeast that causes itching and burning in the vagina.
Yeast infections are not just a problem for women who have recently given birth but also for those expecting. A woman can contract the infection in all stages of her pregnancy, from conception to delivery. During the first trimester, the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are the same as those of typical vaginal yeast infections.
However, during the third trimester, additional symptoms may include watery discharge, a burning sensation when urinating, and itching and irritation. As is true for non-pregnant women with yeast infections, pregnant women also have an increased risk of contracting it. This is due to many factors, such as hormonal changes and an imbalance in their immune systems. The increasing estrogen levels can block the body’s ability to fight off bacterial infections such as yeast infections.
