Intimate hygiene and pregnancy. Soda douching for thrush in pregnant women: is it useful? Douching - benefit or harm

19.09.2023

Thrush occurs in almost every woman during pregnancy. The reasons for the development of fungal infection are hormonal changes in the body and changes in the acidity of the vaginal environment. The presence of a large number of fungal colonies provokes the following symptoms in a woman: itching and burning of the genitals; redness and swelling of the labia; copious curdled vaginal discharge. If an infection occurs in an expectant mother, candidiasis not only brings physical discomfort, but in the early stages can provoke pathologies in the development of the fetus, and in the future lead to complications of childbirth. Treatment during pregnancy should be as effective and safe as possible. Therefore, the use of medications in the form of tablets or capsules is unacceptable. Such drugs have an intense effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and often provoke the appearance of many side effects that are undesirable and even dangerous for the fetus. To eliminate thrush in the first months of pregnancy, a woman is prescribed topical medications: vaginal tablets and suppositories; ointments and creams against candidiasis; medical solutions. The selection of the drug is carried out only by a doctor, based on the patient’s health condition and the nature of the pregnancy. If there is any threat of miscarriage, the use of anti-candidiasis drugs in the form of solutions is unacceptable. Treatment using douching during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. Most often, women are prescribed vaginal suppositories, the main active ingredient in which is natamycin. In some severe cases, when the benefit of treatment outweighs the expected risk to the fetus, drugs with the substances nifuratel, povidone-iodine, nystatin or clotrimazole are prescribed.

Thrush is a common “companion” of pregnant women. During pregnancy, candidiasis occurs much more often and requires more thorough and careful treatment. In order not to harm the baby’s health, experts recommend fighting the disease using gentle methods - washing or douching with solutions with soda.

Candida fungus is present in every woman’s body. Usually, fungi are “under the control” of the protective microflora, but during pregnancy it weakens, which leads to the appearance of thrush.

Usually, candidiasis is encountered only in the second and third trimester, when the pressure of the uterus on the veins increases, preventing normal blood flow. The cause of thrush in expectant mothers is a weakened immune system, as well as other factors: taking medications that change the pH of the mucous membranes, increased production of estrogen and progesterone, which increase the acidity of the mucous membranes. The development of the disease is indicated by the appearance of itching in the intimate area, which is later “joined” by a whitish, cheesy discharge with an unpleasant “fishy” odor.

When the first symptoms are detected, treatment for candidiasis must begin immediately - in its advanced form, the disease poses a threat to the health of mother and child.

Is it possible to douche with soda during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, any intervention is accompanied by a strong risk, so douching must be carried out with the utmost caution. In later stages, vaginal irrigation can be performed, but only after consultation with a doctor. The fact is that excessive use of soda solution destroys not only Candida fungi, but also washes away beneficial bacteria, disrupting the natural microflora of the vagina.

In the early stages (in the first trimester) it is undesirable to douche. Excessive stimulation of the cervix in the early stages can cause miscarriage, so for treatment it is safer to wash with a healing solution.

Also, when douching against thrush, the expectant mother must be extremely careful when injecting the solution. If you sharply inject a stream of the product into the vagina, this can provoke the development of an ascending infection on the cervix, which is unsafe for the baby’s health.

Douching with soda during pregnancy - solution recipe

One of the most popular folk remedies for combating candidiasis in an expectant mother is douching with a soda solution. The product is prepared as follows:

In a glass of warm water you need to dilute 1 tsp. baking soda.
The product must be warm, the optimal temperature is 37-38 degrees.

How to wash with soda for thrush during pregnancy?

Most medications are contraindicated for expectant mothers, so many women are looking for alternative and safe methods to combat thrush. Washing with soda during pregnancy does not harm the health of the mother. The impact is carried out only on the external genitalia, without penetration of solutions into the vagina.

There are two recipes for washing:

Soda solution. Dilute 1 tsp in a liter of warm water. baking soda. You need to wash yourself for 10-15 minutes, paying special attention to the places where discharge accumulates.
Baking soda and tea tree oil. This recipe is considered more gentle, as tea tree oil prevents genital dryness and reduces the risk of irritation. Dilute 1 tsp in a liter of warm water. soda powder and 4-5 drops of oil. Wash with warm solution for 10-15 minutes.

We covered this topic in more detail in a special article ““.

Remember - in order to cure candidiasis, it is important to select therapy in a timely manner and correctly. You should not rely only on self-medication, increasing the dose of the drug in the hope of a successful recovery. All treatment of candidiasis during pregnancy is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

In addition to drug therapy, thrush can be treated using traditional medicine. Many experts believe that at the initial stage of development of vaginal candidiasis, you can do without the help of medications. This is especially true for women in a position where taking synthetic drugs is not recommended. Baking soda for thrush during pregnancy is the most effective and safe remedy. A solution prepared on the basis of sodium bicarbonate can be used for the procedure of douching and washing.

Treatment of thrush with soda is widely used in the initial stages of the disease. With the help of the douching procedure, the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are quickly eliminated and the vaginal microflora is normalized. The activity of yeast-like microorganisms decreases under the influence of an alkaline reaction. Washing also gives quick and lasting results.

Please note that with advanced forms of thrush, it is not recommended to use folk remedies. Such an impact will not be effective enough. In this case, douching with soda can be carried out as an additional measure, coupled with complex drug therapy. Washing is recommended to be used only to reduce local symptoms, but not as a basis.

Irrigation of the vagina with soda solution is carried out to relieve the inflammatory process and to restore the acid-base balance. This treatment method is quite effective and safe, because it neutralizes harmful microorganisms and does not affect beneficial ones. The symptoms of the disease quickly fade away and the main cause of thrush - a fungus of the genus Candida - is eliminated.

Washing helps relieve symptoms such as hyperemia of the external genitalia and itching in the vaginal area. This method of combating candidiasis helps stop the progression of the disease and improves overall well-being.

It is recommended to carry out the procedure of washing and douching with soda during pregnancy with thrush when the following symptoms appear:

Curdled or creamy vaginal discharge.
Itching and burning during urination.
Redness and swelling of the external genitalia.

The earlier you start washing and douching with soda during pregnancy with thrush, the less likely it is that the disease will progress. Timely treatment avoids the spread of yeast-like microflora to internal organs and the placenta. This reduces the likelihood of fetal infection.

Features of traditional therapy

The procedure of douching with soda for thrush during pregnancy should be carried out with caution. A woman is advised to follow certain rules. This eliminates the possibility of complications and increases the effectiveness of the procedure. A more gentle, but no less effective procedure is washing. The use of an alkaline solution allows you to cope with the symptoms of the disease by inhibiting the proliferation of yeast-like microorganisms.

You should use baking soda for thrush during pregnancy only after consulting your doctor. The specialist will determine the stage of development of the disease and make a prognosis based on the diagnostic results. Only a doctor can determine the presence of individual intolerance to sodium bicarbonate and determine whether such treatment will be safe and effective.

Douching - benefit or harm

Treatment of thrush with soda during pregnancy should be carried out correctly. Pregnant women should douche with extreme caution. Before undergoing cleansing, you should first consult your doctor. Such procedures cannot be done at all stages of gestation, as this can be dangerous.

Douching is a therapeutic technique that should not be neglected. It is important to know all the nuances in order to eliminate the possibility of a negative impact on the fetus and on the course of pregnancy in general.

Cleansing is unacceptable if there is a risk of miscarriage and premature birth. The dangers of douching are as follows:

The likelihood of air and fluid entering the uterine cavity.
Washing out beneficial microflora from the vagina. This is followed by a decrease in local protective functions.
There is a high probability of mechanical injury to the mucous membrane and the introduction of a bacterial infection into the genital tract.

The advantages of douching are that during the procedure, the active substances that form the basis of the solution do not penetrate into the bloodstream, but act locally on the site of inflammation. This technique is quite effective in combination with medications, since alkali increases susceptibility to the active substances on the basis of which medications are developed.

In cases where internal vaginal irrigation is not recommended, the procedure can be replaced by washing. This method of treating thrush is also quite effective and safer.

In order for washing with soda for thrush and douching to give the desired result, certain recommendations should be followed. To do this, you need to properly prepare a soda solution:

Dilute baking soda (1 tsp) in boiled water (1 l) until the crystals disappear.
Administer using a soft-tipped syringe.

It is better to use a syringe with a soft tip

To treat most of the vagina, you need to administer the solution while lying down. To hold the product inside, you need to slightly raise your pelvis. The duration of exposure is 15 minutes. The procedure can be carried out while sitting. After sitting on the toilet, insert a syringe into the vagina and slowly pour in the solution. In conclusion, it is recommended to rinse the external genitalia with the solution to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

The course of treatment is 5-7 days, 1 time per day. More frequent douching and washing contribute to dryness of the vagina, which can cause discomfort.

Experts' opinion

Using soda for thrush is a popular and effective method of traditional medicine. But how do doctors feel about such treatment? Most experts agree that this technique is a complete and safe way to combat vaginal candidiasis. The main thing is not to neglect the recommendations and take a responsible approach to treatment.

After completing sodium bicarbonate therapy, it is recommended to undergo tests. The wrong concentration of soda can cause the symptoms of the disease to be relieved. Yeast-like organisms continue to develop. This leads to the fact that the disease enters the chronic stage of development and can cause the development of dangerous complications for the woman and the fetus.

For greater effectiveness, you can add iodine

A solution of soda for thrush during pregnancy is effective, and, perhaps, the only safe remedy that does not harm either the fetus or the woman. If there is a risk of miscarriage or premature birth, you can replace douching with sitz baths or simply wash yourself with a soda solution.

In order to treat candidiasis, you can add a few drops of iodine to the solution. This will help increase the effectiveness of the measures taken.

Please note that douching during pregnancy is recommended only after consulting a doctor. The procedure is dangerous immediately after conception and before labor. At the very beginning of pregnancy, douching can cause a miscarriage, and at the end (after the mucus plug comes out) it can cause infection of the fetus. Exposure to the vaginal mucosa with a soda solution is unacceptable for infectious diseases of the genital area and immediately after childbirth, while the wounds have not yet healed.

It is possible to eliminate the possibility of undesirable consequences when treating thrush with soda during pregnancy by following certain rules:

Do not change the recommended dosage of soda by increasing the concentration of the solution.
In advanced forms of the disease, douching should be used in combination with antifungal drugs.
Prepare a solution based on warm boiled water.
Carry out the course of treatment under the supervision of a specialist. If any changes occur, contact your doctor for advice.

Treatment of thrush during pregnancy should be carried out using safe means. Among the most effective methods is a solution prepared using baking soda. If all recommendations for preparing the solution and performing the procedure are followed, no side effects will occur.

The use of topical agents allows you to cope with thrush at an early stage. How to wash yourself with thrush to get rid of swelling, pain and unpleasant odor? To quickly defeat candidiasis, you need not only to know what you can use to wash yourself with thrush, but also to follow the rules of the hygienic procedure.

Washing for thrush: general rules

The rules cover not only the procedure itself, but also the actions immediately after it. If you adhere to them, then washing will help get rid of a delicate problem and eliminate the risks of spreading the disease in the body, as well as contracting other diseases.

How to wash during thrush:

First, you need to thoroughly wash your hands under running water using antibacterial agents. This will eliminate the risk of pathogenic organisms getting from your hands onto the mucous membranes of the genital organs;
You need to wash yourself at least twice every 24 hours: before and after sleep. If there is a large accumulation of white plaque, you can wash more often;
The correct movement when washing is from the pubis to the coccyx. This eliminates the risk of bacteria from the intestines entering the vagina;
For wiping, you need to use a fresh, separate towel, which, after drying, must be heated with a hot iron;
Washing can be done before or after a shower, but not a bath. It is not advisable to wash in the bathroom during thrush.

These rules will make it possible to provoke infection with other diseases when washing, as well as prevent the spread of thrush to other parts of the body (it can affect the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth and nose).

Important! During treatment you should use white, soft toilet paper. Colored and rough cannot be used. They increase irritation.

How to choose a cleanser for thrush in women:

Pharmacy products should not contain fragrances, dyes and flavors, as they can cause increased irritation and swelling;
Gel for intimate hygiene must contain lactic acid. This substance regulates the composition of microflora;
Do not use regular or antibacterial soap for washing. Soap compositions dry out the skin and disrupt the balance of microflora.

Important! If you have thrush, you should not use tampons during your period. The gasket must be changed every 3 hours.

Home Remedies for Cleansing Thrush

To alleviate the condition, you can use home remedies that destroy the fungal infection, relieve pain and swelling. Most home remedies for washing are recommended by gynecologists, but a visit to the doctor should not be delayed. Most of these remedies are also suitable for pregnant women, but topical preparations can be used with the permission of a doctor.

Soda. An alkaline environment destroys fungal infections that require an acidic environment. To prepare the solution, you need to dissolve a tablespoon of soda in a liter of clean, boiled water. You cannot use a soda solution more than twice a day, since an alkaline environment can cause bacterial vaginosis. Douching with soda solution can be done once a day.

Important! Using a soda solution during pregnancy is highly undesirable; it is better to use milder products!

Phytotherapy. To wash, you can use natural products that you can buy at the pharmacy:

nettle;
chamomile;
celandine;
eucalyptus;
burdock root;
oak bark;
sage;
lavender;
series;
mint;
carnation.

These components allow you to prepare a decoction that relieves swelling and inflammation, destroying fungal infections. Decoctions can be prepared from a mixture of herbs or from one medicinal component. To prepare the decoction, take 5 tablespoons of the plant base per 170 ml of water and hold on fire for 5 minutes. Or let the mixture sit for two hours. The finished product is diluted to 200 ml of decoction and used warm for washing.

Note! Most often, a gynecologist for thrush during pregnancy prescribes the use of herbal decoctions for washing. But they must be used carefully, as herbs can cause allergies.

Boric acid. To prepare a boron solution for washing, you need to take a teaspoon of the product and dilute it in 200 ml of hot water. You can use the product after it has cooled to a comfortable temperature.
Potassium permanganate. A solution of potassium permanganate should be used extremely carefully, as it can cause burns to the mucous membranes of the genital organs and disruption of the vaginal microflora. A slightly pink solution is suitable for washing.

Important! Solutions based on boric acid, soda or potassium permanganate can be used for no more than 5 days.

Essential oils. To wash and eliminate unpleasant odors, you can use solutions of essential oils:

orange;
eucalyptus;
mint;
pine;
mandarin;
cedar;
lavender.

To prepare a solution for washing, you need to dissolve 3 drops of essential oil in a liter of warm water.

Important! Some sources recommend using honey water for washing. But this should not be done, since honey water not only does not bring a therapeutic effect, but creates a comfortable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and fungi!

Gels for intimate hygiene

For thrush, gels containing lactic acid can eliminate swelling, itching, pain, and redness. These remedies normalize the number of lactobacilli in the vagina, accelerating the healing process.

Epigen Intim. This product contains glycyrrhizic acid, which suppresses pathogenic microorganisms. The gel is used only on the recommendation of a doctor; its purpose is to treat inflammatory processes.

Important! Long-term use of Epigen Intim can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction! It cannot be used for prophylaxis.

Gel for intimate hygiene with bisabolol, lactic acid, chamomile extract. It stops inflammatory processes, soothes the skin and normalizes pH levels. Suitable for daily use.
The product is in the form of an intimate gel, where lactoprebiotics are present, maintaining a healthy balance of microflora. The hypoallergenic product can be used during pregnancy.
Gynocomfort. The product contains chamomile extract, tea tree oil and lactic acid. The gel gently cleanses inflamed tissues and relieves swelling, soothes irritated skin.

The best products for intimate hygiene are those that do not contain SLS and similar aggressive detergents.

For healing, it is important that the woman not only wash herself well, but also maintain proper nutrition, get rest, and give up alcohol.

After washing:

Rinse off the remaining solution, decoction or rinsing gel with clean running water;
Wipe your genitals dry with a clean towel;
If possible, take an air bath without wearing underwear for at least 5-10 minutes;
Wear loose cotton underwear, ironed on both sides;
Do not wear a panty liner - it creates ideal conditions for the development of candidiasis.

After washing, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene, which will speed up recovery and help avoid the spread of infection. Washing allows you to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of thrush. However, a visit to a gynecologist if there are signs of thrush is necessary - insufficient treatment can provoke a chronic form of candidiasis or infection of internal organs.

Intimate hygiene for a woman is extremely important. Particular attention should be paid to procedures during pregnancy. Considering the restructuring of hormonal levels during this period, a woman may experience various discomforts in the genital area and an increase in the amount of discharge. The vaginal environment becomes vulnerable to the emergence of various bacteria. Therefore, it is important to know what to wash with during pregnancy without disturbing the natural microflora.

Folk remedies

Modern experts recommend being scrupulous about such a procedure as washing. You can use pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for intimate hygiene made for this purpose. But folk remedies also continue to be in demand, so often on forums there are questions about whether it is possible to wash yourself with chamomile during pregnancy, soda, etc. It is worth noting that some home remedies can be used by a pregnant woman. Some of them can bring noticeable benefits:

Chamomile. An infusion from this plant soothes the skin and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is enough to rinse the external genitalia with it, and no irritation or discomfort will arise.
Laundry soap. This product, proven over the years, neutralizes the development of fungal bacteria, but is quite aggressive.
Soda. Slows down the growth of fungus. But doctors do not recommend frequently washing a pregnant woman with this product, since the substance dries out the vaginal mucosa, which can cause allergies and aggravate thrush.
Potassium permanganate. Helps get rid of thrush.

Note that laundry soap and soda are very specific products for this type of procedure. They can seriously dry out the skin, and without natural microflora, microorganisms begin to multiply in the vagina, which lead to various diseases. They may not be so scary for an ordinary woman, but during pregnancy you should be more careful about your health. Therefore, you should not get too carried away with folk remedies, since there may also be side effects.

It is impossible to answer unequivocally whether it is possible to wash yourself with soda and potassium permanganate during pregnancy. Each body is individual, and the reaction to substances can be unpredictable. In this regard, you should definitely consult with a specialist to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Trust the proven one!

Thanks to modern technologies and capabilities, researchers have developed many products based on natural ingredients. You can buy them almost everywhere, but only a few can vouch for the quality. It also presents products for expectant and present mothers. Here you will definitely find something to wash yourself with during pregnancy, so you don’t need to take risks using folk remedies. The catalog contains mousses, gels, foams, soaps, wipes from trusted manufacturers. With them, intimate hygiene will be correct and safe.

Still doubt whether you can wash yourself with potassium permanganate and soda during pregnancy? Do this extremely carefully. And in order not to take risks, buy a good gel from the online store “It’s time to go to the Maternity Hospital” and forget what potassium permanganate, chamomile, soda, laundry soap and other folk remedies are.