Thrush and Vaginal Discharge

When a woman is pregnant, she has a weakened immune system. One unfortunate symptom of being immunocompromised is experiencing oral thrush. Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a condition whenCandida albicans (a fungus) accrues in the lining of one’s mouth. It is characterized by creamy white lesions on tip of one’s tongue or within the inner cheeks. Thrush may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums or tonsils or the back of one’s throat. Some kind of vaginal discharge is also common in pregnancy, as it is, at times, normal. Vaginal discharge exists to clean the vagina while protecting it from some bacterial, fungal or viral overgrowth.

Some common causes of vaginal discharge are:

  • Yeast infections

  • Bacterial vaginosis

  • Pregnancy → however a physician should rule out other causes before declaring the discharge as normal

  • Cervical cancer

  • Cervical polyps

  • Chlamydia

  • Genital warts – HPV

  • Gonorrhea

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease → complication of untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia

  • Rectovaginal fistula – abnormal opening between rectum and vagina → feces to leak into the vagina → women should wipe front to back

  • Sexually transmitted diseases → pregnant women should be aware of the consequences and use adequate protection

  • Trichomoniasis

  • Vaginal atrophy or cancer

  • Vaginitis

  • Vesicovaginal fistula.

Pregnant women should seek a doctor when:

  • Greenish, yellowish, thick or cheesy discharge

  • Vaginal odor

  • Itchiness

  • Redness

  • Burning

  • Itching in the vaginal area or urethra (vulva)

  • Bleeding that is irregular – not regular spotting which may occur during pregnancy.

Most women, who are not pregnant, may choose over the counter or self-medications, however, pregnant women should not do so to avoid any harmful effects to their fetus. If the symptoms persist, abstaining from sexual intercourse may be very effective.

Some common symptoms of oral thrush include:

  • Lesions on tongue, inner mouth and cheeks – creamy white

  • Redness

  • Soreness

  • Difficulty eating

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Easy bleeding from lesions

  • Cottony feeling in the mouth

  • Inability to taste.

The women who reside in Denver should visit the Denver Holistic Center for more information if they are experiencing any of these symptoms. Thrush and vaginal discharge will make a woman feel uncomfortable and they should be managed.