Rash on My Vaginal Area?

by Erica
(Columbus Ohio, USA)

I've been getting a real bad rash down around my vaginal area ever since I've been pregnant. I've seen thick white mucus fall into the toilet after I wipe. What could this mean?

Answer:

It sounds to me like you have a yeast infection, which is more common during pregnancy than at other times.

Since you're noticing a lot of thick discharge I would definitely talk with your doctor or midwife about it. You'll want to make sure there's nothing else going on.

But as I said above, it's likely a yeast infection. During pregnancy your body goes through a lot of changes, including in the vaginal area, making it more prone to yeast infections.

You can treat an infection with over-the-counter creams during pregnancy, but check with your midwife or doctor to find out which ones she recommends. Oral medications haven't been proven safe yet, so you'll probably be advised to use a cream. It's best to clear it up well before your baby is born, otherwise you both could have problems with thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth of the baby and on the breastfeeding mother's nipples).

You can take measures to prevent the infection from recurring:

• Wear loose, cotton underwear


• Avoid tight-fighting clothing (such as jeans that press into your crotch and seat)


• Eat a lot of garlic with your foods


• Eliminate sugar from your diet


• Be sure you dry the vaginal area well after a swim or shower.


• Always rinse in the shower after a swim, especially if you're swimming in inland water.

I would also strongly urge you to take a pro-biotic supplement, or eat yogurt with a lot of good pro-biotic cultures. These will help your body to populate with good bacteria and prevent yeast from taking hold again.

Some women even put pro-biotic powder or yogurt (plain, sugar-free) around the vaginal area and in the birth canal each night for a couple of weeks after a yeast infection has cleared up -- or at the end of pregnancy. This can help colonize with good bacteria and will also provide good bacteria for your baby's gut once he or she is born.