Skip to main content
  • About Canesten
  • FAQ
  • Contact
Home
  • Intimate Health
    intimate-health
    • CONDITIONS
      • Thrush
      • Bacterial vaginosis
      • Vaginal dryness
      • Cystitis
      • Products
    • LEARNING ZONE
      • What is thrush?
      • What is bacterial vaginosis?
      • What is cystitis?
      • Vaginal health: What you need to know
      • Thrush and pregnancy
      • Causes and symptoms of thrush in men
      • Thrush trivia quiz
  • Foot Health
    Feel good in your skin
    • CONDITIONS
      • Fungal nail
      • Products
    • LEARNING ZONE
      • Fungal skin and foot care tips
  • Discover Canesten Products
Bayer Cross Logo
  1. Home
  2. Intimate Health
  3. Learn About Women’s and Men’s Intimate Health
  4. Thrush in pregnancy: causes and treatment
Happy young pregnant woman wearing yellow jumper and pointing to her tummy

Thrush in pregnancy: causes and treatment

Learn everything you need to know about suffering from thrush during pregnancy. See how to treat and prevent vaginal yeast infection.

Facts about thrush during pregnancy

Common among women, vaginal yeast infection – known as thrush – is mainly caused by the Candida fungus and affects 3 out of 4 women at least once during their lifetime. Often triggered due to consumption of antibiotics or wearing tight clothing and underwear, pregnant women can get thrush because of the rapid changes affecting their bodies. Hormonal imbalances, and especially the high level of oestrogen, increases the likelihood of developing vaginal thrush.

If you develop thrush during pregnancy or whilst trying for a baby, you should not worry. Here are some facts about thrush in pregnancy that every soon-to-be mother should know:

  • Thrush will not prevent you from getting pregnant

  • Thrush is not known to harm your unborn baby

  • In only around 2% of cases is thrush passed on to a baby during delivery

How to avoid and treat thrush during pregnancy

There are a number of precautionary steps every pregnant woman can take to lower the risk of developing thrush while pregnant. They are easy, practical and effective in preventing a vaginal yeast infection. Proper hygiene, breathable cotton underwear, and regular check-ups with your GP are some of the things that help lower the risk of thrush.


However, if you still develop a yeast infection, first see your GP before undertaking any yeast infection treatments. Thrush treatments often include recommending an anti-fungal vaginal pessary or cream. Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.  It is important to know that oral capsule containing fluconazole should not be taken during pregnancy for treating thrush.

Here are some tips to help you avoid thrush:

  • Wear breathable cotton underwear that is not too tight

  • Ensure proper hygiene but avoid bubble baths, using soaps or any personal care products made with harsh chemicals around your vagina

  • Do not douche as it might increase the risk of vaginal irritation and disrupt the vaginal pH balance

  • Change underwear daily and wash it in hot water

  • Wipe from the front to the back ­to stop the bacteria from being transported to your vagina

Related Articles

Smiling young woman with curly hair, wearing a blue shirt, happy after Canesten thrush treatment

What is thrush?

Learn what thrush is and the yeast infection symptoms to help identify it. Discover what thrush treatments there are, and how to prevent recurring thrush.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young woman with red hair, wearing a green shirt, happy after Canesten bacterial vaginosis treatment

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Learn what bacterial vaginosis (BV) is from BV symptoms to how to prevent BV, and how to treat it. Find out what the differences between thrush and BV are today. In this article, you can also find advice on how to treat BV and how to stop BV from recurring.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a red shirt, happy after Canesten cystitis treatment

What is cystitis?

Learn what cystitis is such as what the symptoms and causes of this urinary tract infection (UTI) are. You can also find out about how to treat and prevent cystitis here. The article also has a quick look at interstitial cystitis.

LEARN MORE
Active young woman wearing tank top, standing in empowered pose against a sunny backdrop

Vaginal infections: what you need to know

Learn how to identify the symptoms and causes of vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Discover our tips on how to improve your vaginal health here.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young man in a grey jumper, happy after Canesten thrush treatment

Male thrush: causes and symptoms

Learn more about male thrush symptoms. Including how to reduce the risk of developing a yeast infection, prevention, and yeast infection treatments.

LEARN MORE
Young woman with dark hair thinking about answer to Canesten thrush quiz

Thrush Trivia Quiz

Thrush is quite common, but how much do you know about it? Take our Thrush Trivia Quiz to test your knowledge on the causes of thrush and other candida symptoms. Share your results if you wish!

TAKE THE QUIZ

BUY NOW

  • Intimate Health
    • Thrush
    • Bacterial Vaginosis
    • Cystitis
    • Vaginal Dryness
    • Learning Zone
    • Products
  • Foot Health
    • Fungal Nail
    • Fungal Infections and Hygiene
    • Products
  • Discover Canesten Products
    • About Canesten
    • Buy now
    • FAQ
    • Contact us

If you want to report a side effect or quality complaint, please contact your health care professional (e.g.physician or pharmacist), or the Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA), or go to the “Contact” menu at www.bayer.ie.
Enquiries can also be directed to adr-ireland@bayerhealthcare.com.

Cystopurin 3g Granules for oral solution contains Potassium Citrate. Canesten Combi Pessary & Cream: Canesten 500mg Pessary & External 2% w/w cream contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush: External Cream 2% w/w cream; Pessary 500mg pessary contains clotrimazole. Always read the label.

bayer-logo

 Copyright © Bayer. All Rights Reserved

  • Sitemap
  • Bayer Ireland
  • Bayer Global
  • Privacy Statement
  • Conditions of use
  • Imprint