Can there be thrush after childbirth? Thrush after childbirth: causes and how to treat it

After giving birth, young mothers often face various health problems, for example, thrush. Thrush after childbirth is practically a concern every third woman so there is no need to panic. The problem is easily solved with the help of pharmacological drugs. The most important thing is not to delay your visit to your doctor. A site for moms, the site will tell you why this problem occurs and how to treat thrush after childbirth.

What could be the reasons

Pregnancy, and especially the postpartum period, is a great stress for a woman’s body. A hormonal “shake-up” occurs, the body is rebuilt, all this requires a lot of energy expenditure.

In this period the body's defense mechanisms weaken, which makes it possible to develop infections that were in the female body in a latent or, in other words, in a latent state. The immune system weakens, so the risk of developing candidiasis increases.

More to causes of the disease may include: taking antibiotics, hormonal drugs, inappropriate intimate hygiene products and douching, diseases of the oral cavity or intestines.

Symptoms of thrush development

Taking care of your health, it is impossible to miss thrush after childbirth. Define primary symptoms you can do it yourself:

  • unpleasant sensations of burning and itching in the genital area;
  • unpleasant and painful sensations when urinating;
  • curdled vaginal discharge.

As soon as you notice such symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor. Treatment of thrush after childbirth does not need to be shelved; you will only increase the duration of the treatment itself and you can infect your baby candidiasis.

In advanced or acute forms of thrush, microparticles of the Candida fungus begin to circulate in the mother’s blood and can enter the mammary glands, and pass through the milk to the baby. It is for this reason that treatment should not be delayed.

Treatment of thrush after childbirth

Breastfeeding limits the intake of many medications due to their toxicity, but it is still necessary to take medications in order to destroy the fungal cells. During lactation, doctors generally prescribe pimafucin– it is considered non-toxic even in large doses and quite effective.

Used for local treatment pimafucin and nystatin, in the form of creams and vaginal suppositories. These drugs are usually chosen during pregnancy and lactation.

Doctors today increasingly recommend that young mothers temporarily stop feeding in the treatment of thrush. They explain this by the risk of infection of the baby with subsequent possible complications and unnecessary additional stress on the child’s body that has not yet become stronger.

Possible complications

Despite the fact that thrush after childbirth is easy to treat, it should not be underestimated. First of all, this inflammatory process, which cannot be ignored.

Without drug treatment, thrush tends to spread to the entire genitourinary system.

In addition, if thrush is not treated, it can become chronic and cause a secondary bacterial infection that is difficult to treat. Which can lead to infertility in the future.

During this period, mommy needs to consume as little as possible foods that contain a lot of sugar and gluten. Gluten is found in semolina, pearl barley, and pasta. At the same time, increase foods containing live cultures and bifidobacteria in your daily diet.

In order to remove excess yeast from the body, you need to drink at least 3 cups of green tea a day.

You should also include fruits and vegetables, lean fish, buckwheat and brown rice in your diet. You can read various recommendations about this on the website.

Make it a rule - hands should always be washed thoroughly, this will prevent such a “trouble” as thrush after childbirth and its development. Moreover, after childbirth, a mother’s dirty hands can pose a danger to a defenseless baby.

Underwear and towels should be ironed after washing to prevent re-infection and the spread of infection.

To restore the balance of microflora at home, you can douche with a very light solution of apple cider vinegar.

In any case, all your actions must be coordinated with your doctor. After giving birth, a specialist must explain to the young mother how to care for her body and how to maintain proper hygiene. Listen to advice about nutrition too.

For mothers who have given birth, thrush after childbirth often brings a lot of inconvenience. Do not self-medicate so as not to harm your baby. Your doctor will order the necessary tests and determine the appropriate medications.

Today, to combat this disease, doctors prescribe topical medications: creams, vaginal suppositories or tablets. These antifungal drugs are considered safe for mother and child during lactation and effective against most Candida fungi.

The health of your baby and the condition of your body depends only on you and your lifestyle. Be healthy!

The ability to reproduce should theoretically not create complications for the mother's body - just like what is considered a normal condition. In practice, in the first days, women often do not feel at all natural, but may break down or leave irreparable complications as a “memento.”

Thrush after childbirth is also more common than is commonly thought. In every 3rd woman it is temporary, occurring at a certain stage of pregnancy or lactation, and in every 7th it requires treatment for more than 2 weeks.

It’s rare that a woman has not experienced an exacerbation before conceiving a child. Its pathogen lives on, and as part of, another healthy one. It even has benefits in the form of maintaining the local pH “acidified” and unfavorable for pathogens from the outside.

Its attempts to reproduce are blocked by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which do not have pathogenic properties. Thrush begins not because of “mutations” of the candida themselves, but because of changes in the properties of their environment - a deterioration in general resistance, the death of their antagonists.

Beneficial bacteria most often die due to abuse of local antiseptics or treatment. For postpartum injuries (ruptures, incisions), both components are available. The third factor is a temporary shift in the environmental balance towards the alkaline side. This is due to the hormonal shift that triggers lactation, and the same stitches with the need to treat them.

Another significant point is itself. The general defense is busy healing ruptures and monitoring the “awakened” mammary glands (it always closely monitors the tissues that produce any substances, since this behavior is typical of cancer cells).

Plus, part of her bodies (macrophages, lymphocytes, white blood cells) now enters breast milk to be passed on to the baby. But the immune system cannot take on an infinite number of new tasks. And thrush in women after childbirth often becomes a consequence of his hard work on 3-4 “fronts” in addition to normal duties.

Symptoms and signs

Candidiasis after childbirth does not begin suddenly; rather, it develops within 12-20 hours. In a periodically worsening infection, there are precursors that are easily recognized by patients.

If they change depending on a new stage of life (like the birth of a child), then only slightly. First, increased and dryness occurs in the vagina, between the labia minora. Then they begin to grow and:

  • burning pain around the urethra during bowel movement;
  • burning in any part of the infected area when rubbing with linen and clothing, acts;
  • sour ;
  • similar to curdled milk or fine-grained cottage cheese from the vagina;
  • similar type of plaque.

Easily damaged, weeping blisters may appear, the affected area appears inflamed, and the local temperature is elevated. is permanent and does not depend on the time of day. Among all the features of how thrush manifests itself after childbirth, in the form of itching and whitish lumps, pseudomycelium are the most characteristic.

How to treat thrush after childbirth: drugs and regimen

General use of any during breastfeeding is not recommended. Both main classes (azole derivatives and active antibiotics) penetrate into biolactate, and some of them have pronounced toxicity.

Thrush after childbirth should be treated only topically, avoiding application to unhealed scars and cracks (so as not to increase the absorption coefficient). Suitable for this are gel and. With this approach, their entry into the systemic circulation will be negligible. What means can you stop at?

  • Pimafucin is based on the antibiotic natamycin. The absence of contraindications for use by nursing mothers is indicated on the packaging even for its tablets (it is almost not absorbed by the walls). It is even more safe to use. The treatment regimen consists of 1 suppository daily, at night, plus cream - during the day, as needed (increased itching), for the entire affected area, except the vagina, no more than 4 times a day, for a maximum of 3 weeks. A package of 6 suppositories costs 540 rubles. and above, cream (tube 30 g) – 332-340 rub.
  • Nystatin is a relatively old antibiotic, but rarely causes resistance in candida. Produced in tablets, and. Gestation and breastfeeding are listed in the instructions as contraindications, but because their effect on the embryo has not been tested in real conditions. Laboratory studies have not revealed any negative effects; the close to zero absorption in the drug should also be taken into account. Suppositories with nystatin are administered 1 pc. morning and evening, the ointment is applied up to 3 times a day until the thrush goes away completely, plus another 5 days. The treatment regimen does not exclude the joint use of both forms, although it recommends limiting it to 2 applications of ointment per day. Suppositories can be purchased for up to 75 rubles, cream – up to 100 rubles.
  • – definitely safe, because it is herbal and used only locally. The drug is in the form of a spray and contains extracts of aloe (the plant is recognized as a means of increasing resistance even in scientific medicine) and oregano and thyme spices (rich in antiseptics with an effect that activates local blood flow and the “delivery” of protective bodies). It also contains coconut components (caprylic acid is a natural antibiotic and a component of many fats that improves their storage) and inulin, a polysaccharide present in many plants, a nutrient medium for antagonistic bacteria of the Candida fungus. The spray is applied to the affected areas in the mornings and evenings for 7 days (longer is allowed). It costs 990 rubles.

Among the drugs, the use of which even topically can be a bad idea, it is worth highlighting suppositories for thrush after childbirth. It is a combination of prednisolone (a steroid with an antihistamine effect), the fungicide ternidazole and 2 antibiotics - neomycin with nystatin. A complex drug, good only for mixed infections.

With a general drop in resistance, Terzhinan may be unsafe due to a similar effect of prednisolone (it will relieve itching, but the spread of the fungus may become explosive). It is also characterized by increased toxicity to the liver (Klion-D, Candid B6, Kanizon). And if you have to choose among azoles, then the safest is considered (Diflucan).

Prevention of the onset of candidiasis

The body of a recent woman in labor most of all needs complete animal proteins, especially gelatin - material for the construction of protective bodies and regeneration after injuries. You should also not deny yourself butter and lard - breast milk is extremely rich in cholesterol, and the body first needs to get it somewhere.

It is undesirable to take even herbal immune stimulants orally before the end of lactation (they pass into breast milk and can make the child allergic). But among the most important for the defense system are A, C, D and E. It is also necessary to monitor the completeness of the diet in terms of the content of minerals selenium, zinc, iron from animal sources (plant sources are not suitable!).

Thrush is an infectious disease caused by a yeast-like fungus. Most women experience this problem immediately after childbirth, affecting the oral cavity, intestines and vagina. Every body has a candida fungus, which causes thrush. In small quantities, it is even beneficial for female microflora, but there are times when its presence does not cause any positive emotions. When the right conditions appear, the fungus begins to actively multiply and then the woman develops a disease called thrush.

Symptoms of thrush after childbirth

It is very easy to understand that you have thrush. There are several obvious symptoms. The first of these is a white cheesy coating and discharge, as well as itching, severe irritation, and severe pain when urinating. After childbirth, thrush most often worsens due to the fact that the woman’s hormonal levels change dramatically, and the woman also experienced severe stress during the birth of the child. At the same time, the microflora begins to be disrupted and then the fungus begins to multiply very quickly. If thrush was observed before childbirth, during pregnancy and if you did not have time to cure it, then most likely this unpleasant disease will be transmitted to the child during childbirth. Infection occurs when the baby passes through the birth canal. It is there that the candida fungus very quickly penetrates the baby’s body. After this, the baby can quickly develop oral thrush, and when the woman breastfeeds, she will also be infected again. She will first begin to experience irritation on her nipples.

Of course, this disease is very unpleasant, but there is good news: it is very easy and quick to treat. In addition, if there was no thrush before, but it appeared during feeding, then under no circumstances should the child be weaned from the breast. To do this, it is enough to undergo a course of treatment for both the child and his mother. There is no need to self-medicate; it is better to entrust this matter to doctors. And so that you don’t have problems with thrush again in the future, you need to periodically take preventive measures.

Thrush in early pregnancy

It is very important to maintain oral hygiene during pregnancy and after childbirth. To prevent oral thrush, you can sometimes use a soda solution to rinse. As for the prevention of vaginal thrush, for this you need to thoroughly wash the external genitalia. It is also worth paying attention to the underwear. Because some types of underwear can cause this unpleasant disease. It is better to give preference to natural fabrics rather than synthetics.
Eating foods that contain a lot of sugar will also help prevent thrush. If, nevertheless, the milkman has shown its first signs, start consuming products with live cultures of lacto- and bifidobacteria. This will help make the symptoms less noticeable. It is also worth always remembering that thorough and frequent hand washing will help keep your body free from many bacteria, and thrush is no exception.

When the baby is born, hygiene should be your constant companion. To avoid getting thrush again after childbirth, thoroughly boil your linen and towels. Better yet, replace them with new ones. Also, every woman should remember that the smallest treatment for thrush should occur under the supervision of a doctor. But preventive measures can be carried out independently. And this is the only way you can maintain your health and your baby’s health! By the way, such an attitude towards one’s own health should be not only during pregnancy and after childbirth, but constantly.

After childbirth in women, the natural microflora in the vagina is often disrupted, the level of acid-base balance changes, and an acidic environment is created. In such conditions, against the background of weakened immunity and hormonal changes in the body, yeast fungi of the genus Candida begin to actively multiply, causing unpleasant symptoms of thrush.

When a fungal infection develops, women are concerned about:

  • itching, swelling and burning of the genitals;
  • frequent, painful urination;
  • the appearance of a rash on the mucous membranes of the vulva;
  • formation of erosions when combing soft tissues;
  • white, cheesy discharge with a sour odor.

Thrush after childbirth can affect not only the organs of the genitourinary system, but also the breasts. The nipples become swollen, covered with whitish scales, itchy, and cracks form on them. While putting the baby to the breast, the woman experiences a stabbing, sharp pain that radiates to the arm. Discomfort is caused by friction from tight clothing, hygiene procedures, and even ordinary touch.

Why does postpartum candidiasis occur?

Thrush can be caused by:

  • long-term use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs;
  • allergies to intimate gels, underwear;
  • vaginal douching;
  • mechanical trauma to the mucous membranes of the vagina;
  • intestinal dysbiosis;
  • diseases of the endocrine system;
  • helminthic infestation;
  • postpartum stress;
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases of internal organs;
  • hormonal imbalance.

Candidiasis often affects women during pregnancy, this is due to a decrease in local vaginal immunity and changes in hormonal levels. If thrush was not adequately treated during pregnancy, the symptoms of the infection persist after childbirth. This condition is dangerous for the child’s health, since the baby can become infected with candidiasis during passage through the birth canal.

Difficult childbirth, surgery, and suturing also lead to disruption of the normal microflora of the vagina and contribute to the development of thrush.

Treatment of candidiasis

If thrush occurs after childbirth, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid infection of the baby. For women who are breastfeeding, taking many medications is contraindicated, as the medications pass into the bloodstream and breast milk. It is recommended to carry out local treatment with vaginal suppositories or antifungal ointments.

During lactation it is allowed to use the following suppositories:

  • Pimafucin is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of thrush, vulvitis, and vulvovaginitis. The average duration of treatment is 3–6 days. If the external genital organs are affected by candidiasis, local treatment of the mucous membranes with Pimafucin cream is performed. During menstruation, therapy is stopped.

  • Bifidumbacterin suppositories help restore normal microflora and acid-base balance of the vagina after treatment with antibiotics and antifungals. The drug populates the mucous membranes with beneficial lactobacilli and can be used during pregnancy and lactation.

  • Suppositories Livarol are an antimicrobial, antiseptic agent. When administered intravaginally, it is poorly absorbed into the systemic circulation and has a local therapeutic effect. Suppositories are used once a day for 3–5 days; during the treatment of chronic thrush, the course can be increased to 10 days.

Pimafucin cream should be used to lubricate nipples if breast candidiasis is affected. Before feeding, wash the skin thoroughly with baby soap. A solution of sodium tetraborate is also used for antiseptic treatment; it can be added to water when washing the external genitalia. Hygienic procedures relieve itching, burning and swelling of soft tissues.

In advanced or chronic stages of thrush, it is necessary to simultaneously take antifungal tablets orally and perform local therapy with suppositories and ointments. During the period of treatment, breastfeeding should be abandoned. Taking medications should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.

Women after childbirth must strictly observe the rules of hygiene of the intimate area and breasts. Before each feeding, you must wash your breasts and hands with soap and inspect your nipples for cracks and irritation.

When discomfort appears in the genital area, you can wash yourself with decoctions of chamomile, calendula flowers, and a solution of baking soda. If the unpleasant symptoms of thrush persist for more than 2-3 days, or curdled vaginal discharge appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The diet should not contain a lot of carbohydrates, since a sweet environment promotes increased fungal growth. It is useful to eat fermented milk products: yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese. Vegetables and fruits can be consumed with the permission of a doctor, depending on the age of the child. Green tea has an antifungal effect; this drink can be drunk in unlimited quantities, adding honey instead of sugar.

For vaginal candidiasis, treatment must be carried out in both sexual partners. During antifungal therapy, it is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse. It is worth noting that some vaginal suppositories can destroy latex material, which can lead to unwanted pregnancy.

Postpartum women should wear comfortable, cotton underwear. Synthetic fabrics help create constant humidity; this environment is convenient for the development of fungal infections.

If you have thrush, you should not use vaginal suppositories or take pills on your own, since most drugs are contraindicated during breastfeeding. It is forbidden to do home douching with soda or manganese, since after childbirth the cervix is ​​slightly open for some time, and bacteria can enter the cavity of the reproductive organ, causing acute inflammation.

Postpartum thrush is quite common; its development is caused by a weakened immune system, stress, and hormonal changes. Treatment of candidiasis should be prescribed by a gynecologist after examination and laboratory testing of a vaginal smear for the presence of fungi and bacteria.

Thrush - urogenital candidiasis - a disease associated with an increase in the number of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, disruption of the natural microflora and changes in the alkaline balance of the vagina. This fungus is present in small quantities in every body, but due to a decrease in local and general immunity, candida begins to actively multiply, causing discomfort to the woman and causing signs of inflammation.

Candidal colpitis is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and after childbirth. Fungal activity during this period occurs for the following reasons:

  • Hormonal changes The body requires a lot of energy, which causes it to weaken and the immune system to decrease.
  • Infectious diseases cause a weakening of the immune system.
  • Vitamin A and E deficiency threatens to reduce the quality and speed of regeneration of vaginal epithelial cells, the appearance of microcracks - favorable conditions for candida.
  • Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of yeast in the human body is not limited to intimate areas. Their accumulation is present in the oral cavity and intestines. Irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, problems with stool - all these are signs of dysbiosis. Thus, if urogenital candidiasis was diagnosed during pregnancy, it may recur after childbirth.
  • Overweight affects hormonal levels and, as a result, thrush occurs.
  • Excessive hygiene. Douching, washing with soap and other hygiene measures negatively affect the balance of microflora in intimate places. Along with harmful bacteria, most of the beneficial microorganisms are washed out.
  • Wearing synthetic underwear and using panty liners. The effect of a sauna in a humid environment is ideal conditions for active reproduction and activity of the fungus.
  • Taking medications in particular antibiotics , causes dysbiosis. The quantitative composition of opportunistic bacteria predominates over lactic acid bacteria.
  • Injuries to the genital tract during childbirth, through which candida easily enters the vagina.
  • Breast-feeding. When prolactin, the lactation hormone, is produced, the level of female hormones decreases slightly. This leads to a feeling of dryness and decreased cell turnover in the vagina. Slower regeneration will change the Ph level. The environment becomes acidic, that is, ideal for the growth of fungi.

Symptoms of candidiasis

Only a doctor can determine the true cause of thrush. Therefore, if you suspect that you have signs of this disease, you should undergo an examination and take some tests prescribed by the gynecologist.

Symptoms of candidiasis are as follows:

  • Itching of the genitals and perineum.
  • An increase in the amount of discharge and a change in its nature. They can be either white liquid or thick curd with a sour smell. If you have an STD, the discharge has a particularly unpleasant odor and takes on a greenish or yellowish tint.
  • The appearance of redness and scratching on the labia and perineum.
  • In the chronic form of thrush, there is a nagging pain “like a woman.”
  • Inflammation due to candidiasis can cause pain in the lumbar region.
  • Painful urination.

If thrush affects the breasts, then its manifestations are as follows:

  • cracked nipples;
  • pain that gets worse during feedings.

During delivery, if the mother has a history of thrush, the probability of infection of the child through the genital tract reaches 80%. In addition, the fungus has the ability to move in the body through the blood circulation, so it passes into breast milk. The risk of infection for a child is very high. That is why a woman should be especially careful about herself before and after childbirth in order to recognize the disease at its initial stage.

Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding

If you discover signs of thrush, you should not worry or be upset. These experiences are undesirable for a mother during breastfeeding, and this disease is easily treatable.

The fastest results can be achieved using a systematic approach to treatment. But in order not to interrupt breastfeeding, local therapy is used. However, it is also possible that the taste of milk may change and the baby will refuse to breastfeed.

Treatment of thrush in a nursing mother most often consists of the use of vaginal suppositories, cream and douching, safe for baby :

  • Pimafucin.

For mild forms of thrush, they are prescribed in the form of a cream. If this does not stop the development of the disease, then suppositories are used. This drug, as indicated in the instructions for use, contains nitamycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Its peculiarity is the lack of resistance to it in the fungus. Please note that the use of suppositories is not advisable during menstruation. It is recommended to use in a course of 1 piece. daily for 3-6 days.

Cream is used to treat candidiasis on the nipples. Before feeding, you should carefully remove its remnants to avoid the drug passing through the milk to the baby and causing an allergic reaction.

  • Zalain. To treat thrush, the use of one suppository is sufficient. The active substance - sertoconazole - is aimed at suppressing the proliferation of fungi.
  • Clotrimazole. The course of treatment is 3-6 days, 1 suppository 2 times a day. You can use the ointment together.
  • Nystatin. Antibiotic with fungicidal action in the form of RECTAL and vaginal suppositories. Once a day, 1 suppository.

In severe and chronic forms of the disease, medications are prescribed, which should be followed during treatment. stop breastfeeding. For example:

  • Ruvidon. Contains iodine and can cause problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland in a child. The course of treatment for thrush is 7 days with 1-2 suppositories per day.
  • Polygynax. It contains several active ingredients that have a combined effect on the vaginal mucosa, but penetrate into the blood and breast milk. The course of treatment is 12 days, 1 suppository per day.
  • Livarol. The fungicidal effect of ketoconazole, aimed at pathogenic microflora, keeps lactobacilli intact. Use 1 pc. within 5 days.

In pharmacies it is possible to purchase other drugs for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis in women with breastfeeding. What will help in the fight against thrush should be decided by a gynecologist based on the research and examination.

Treatment of candidiasis in a child

The most common manifestation of thrush in a baby is the formation of a white coating in the mouth. From the very first days of life, when the immune system is not yet fully formed, this phenomenon is quite common. But manifestations of other localizations are also possible: inguinal-vaginal thrush, skin, intestinal, etc.

Treatment of the child does not necessarily involve the use of medications. It is enough to create the conditions for recovery:

  • Normalization of the microclimate in the room where the baby is - clean, cool, humid air.
  • Timely hygiene.
  • Frequent walks in the fresh air.
  • Drinking enough.

Important: do not use antibacterial drugs without a doctor’s prescription, so as not to worsen the situation!

Treatment of a sexual partner with thrush is necessary to avoid re-infection. It comes down to taking antifungal drugs, most often in the form of tablets. For example, a single use of Fluconazole 150 mg, Flucostat or Pimafucin. It is possible to treat with drugs in the form of a cream (Clotrimazole 1%, Pimafucin, Miconazole, etc.). Before use, it is important to read the instructions and follow them strictly.

Side effects and complications

A serious complication that occurs during treatment is the transition of the disease to a chronic form. Therefore, only a doctor should select the right medications and treatment regimens.

During the course of therapy, the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines decreases. Therefore, their replenishment is a prerequisite throughout the entire course of treatment. Whether to take medications or limit consumption of fermented milk products is an independent choice for each person.

Prevention of candidiasis during lactation

For a nursing mother, the topic of prevention rather than treatment of thrush is especially relevant. Following simple rules and taking preventive measures will protect both mother and baby.

  • Daily washing using special products. This can be a decoction of chamomile, a solution of soda, or intimate gels from the pharmacy.
  • Balanced diet. Minimizing the consumption of sweets and introducing fermented milk products, as well as vegetables and fruits into the diet.
  • Taking a multivitamin complex (as recommended by a doctor).
  • Breast care.
  • Wearing underwear made from natural fabrics, not too tight, and avoiding thongs.
  • During menstruation, change pads as often as possible.
  • Personal amenities in the shower.
  • Limit visits to public places (sauna, bathhouse, swimming pool).
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before and after feeding, reduce the time the baby spends at the breast, but increase the frequency of feedings. Wash nipples with baking soda solution.