Common Complaints in the Genital Area during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, many physical changes can occur in the genital area. Darkening of color, vaginal varices, itching or swelling... Are these changes normal? You can find the details in our article below.
The changes seen in the genital area during pregnancy develop depending on the increase in your hormones and the physiological changes you will experience. Darkening of the genital area, vaginal varicose veins, increased vaginal discharge and itching... These complaints, which are seen in most women with prenatal, usually disappear shortly after delivery. However, do not forget that you should share all the developments with your doctor at the doctor's check-ups. Because there may be a different reason behind the complaint you are experiencing. Here are the changes seen in the genital area during pregnancy ...
Changes in the Genital Area During Pregnancy
Color Darkening
Darkening of color in the genital area is one of the troubles that makes most women uneasy. This is common not only in the genital area, but also in the armpit area. It is more common in women with intense estrogen hormone secretion. Excessive secretion of estrogen hormone during pregnancy can cause darkening of the genital area. Darkening in the genital or armpit area during pregnancy does not indicate any health problems and is considered normal. It is likely to return to its original state after birth.
Vaginal Varicose
Varicose veins, which are thought to be only on the legs, can also be seen in the genital area during pregnancy. Genital varicose veins, called vulva varicose, occur on the lips of the vagina. Varicose veins seen in the genital area during pregnancy are cases that are not different from those in the leg and are related. Because the vein extends from the legs to the genital area. Therefore, most women with varicose veins in the genital area during pregnancy also have varicose veins on their legs. At the same time, increased body mass during pregnancy is one of the causes of varicose veins in the genital area. One of the questions that women who have vaginal varicose veins during pregnancy wonder about is whether this situation will affect normal birth. Having vaginal varicose in your pregnancy is not a factor that affects your delivery method.
Vaginal Discharge in Pregnancy
You may have vaginal discharge with the effect of increasing hormones during your pregnancy. If these discharges are odorless and colorless, it is considered normal. But if it is foul-smelling, dark yellow, green or brown in color, it may be a sign of infection. When you encounter such a situation, you should talk to your obstetrician. Harmless discharges seen during pregnancy are light in color. It is definitely not recommended to use daily pads for these discharges that increase from time to time during pregnancy. Because daily pads will prevent the area from getting air, they pave the way for fungus formation. Therefore, it would be more beneficial to talk to your doctor. With a suitable treatment method for you, your vaginal discharge problem will be eliminated during pregnancy.
Itching in the Genital Area
If you are experiencing vaginal itching during pregnancy, you should not neglect the situation. Because the cause of the itching you experience may be a fungal infection and it definitely requires a doctor's examination. Fungus in the genital area, also called vulvovaginal fungus, is more common in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. Depending on the condition of the infection, the genital area may be red and edematous. The flow, on the other hand, has a thick consistency, which is called 'milk cut' among the people. Treatment of vulvovaginal fungus that occurs during pregnancy proceeds somewhat more slowly. Because during pregnancy, the body resistance of the expectant mother decreases, the probability of recurrence of the disease increases. Most of the time, the complaints are reduced with creams and pomades prescribed by the doctor. In the later stages of pregnancy, fungal infection can be treated with oral medications given by your doctor. Genital itching during pregnancy may not always be caused by fungus. The fact that the expectant mother has an allergic body can also cause itching in the genital area.
Swelling in the Genital Area
Swelling in the vagina during pregnancy can develop due to many reasons. Infections, not paying attention to hygiene rules, sexually transmitted diseases or hair follicle inflammation are only a few of these reasons. Therefore, you should consult your doctor for swelling in the genital area during your pregnancy. Because only your doctor can make the most accurate diagnosis for swelling, which has a wide variety of causes. You can also reduce the pain caused by swelling by making cold compresses at home.