Thrush in pregnancy is common, uncomfortable, and easily treatable — but it’s worth understanding why pregnancy makes it more likely and which treatments are actually safe to use while you’re expecting.
What Is Thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a fungus that naturally lives in the vagina in small amounts. It’s not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, though it can occasionally be passed between partners. Pregnancy hormones cause changes in vaginal pH and increase glycogen (sugar) levels in vaginal secretions, which creates conditions where Candida can multiply more easily than usual.
Symptoms of Thrush in Pregnancy
- Thick, white, cottage-cheese-like discharge, usually odourless
- Itching or soreness around the vulva and vagina
- Stinging or burning during urination or sex
- Redness or swelling of the vulva
Why Thrush Is More Common in Pregnancy
Rising oestrogen levels during pregnancy alter the vaginal environment, increasing glycogen stores that Candida feeds on. This is why thrush tends to appear or flare up more often during pregnancy, even in people who rarely get it otherwise, and it can recur more than once across the nine months.
Is Thrush Treatment Safe During Pregnancy?
Topical antifungal treatments — creams and pessaries containing clotrimazole, for example — are generally considered safe throughout pregnancy and are the first-line treatment recommended by midwives and GPs. Oral antifungal tablets, commonly used outside pregnancy, are usually avoided in pregnancy due to a potential (though small) risk to the baby, particularly at higher doses, so it’s important to check with a pharmacist or GP before taking anything oral, even if it’s available without a prescription.
Applying Pessaries Safely
When using a pessary applicator during pregnancy, GPs often advise inserting it more gently and not as deeply as the packet instructions suggest for non-pregnant use, to avoid any risk of disturbing the cervix. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist or midwife to talk you through it, or ask about cream-only treatment as an alternative if the applicator feels uncomfortable.
Preventing Recurring Thrush
- Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight synthetic fabrics
- Avoid scented soaps, bubble baths, and vaginal washes, which disrupt natural pH balance
- Change out of damp swimwear or gym clothes promptly
- Wipe front to back after using the toilet to avoid spreading bacteria
When to See a Doctor
If symptoms don’t improve after treatment, keep recurring, or if you’re not sure whether it’s thrush versus another type of discharge or infection (such as bacterial vaginosis, which needs different treatment), it’s worth getting checked by a GP or midwife rather than self-treating repeatedly.
FAQs
Can thrush harm my baby during pregnancy?
Thrush itself doesn’t generally harm the baby, though if untreated at the time of a vaginal delivery, it can occasionally be passed to the baby, sometimes causing oral thrush in the newborn — easily treated if it happens.
Can I use over-the-counter thrush treatment while pregnant?
Topical creams and pessaries are usually fine, but check with a pharmacist first, and avoid oral antifungal tablets unless specifically advised by a doctor.
Why do I keep getting thrush during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes throughout pregnancy keep altering the vaginal environment, so recurring thrush is common and doesn’t necessarily indicate anything is wrong.
