Can a yeast infection affect a pregnancy test? No, yeast infection does not affect pregnancy test because it is superficial. Kits detect hCG, the hormone produced by placenta deep inside your uterus. Yeast infection is common in women. Is candidiasis a sign of pregnancy? No, the yeast infection can occur at any time in your life and doesn’t mean you’re pregnant. Imbalance in the vaginal bacteria to yeast ratio causes the infection in 7 out of 10 women.
The accuracy of a pregnancy test is not just dependent on the timings and procedure but also on your health and hygiene. You may have many questions about pregnancy tests. When a woman is suffering from yeast infection, she may wonder, “Can yeast infection affect a pregnancy test?”
It’s a valid question as in every ten women, seven are suffering from a different type of yeast infection. Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are the most common reproductive infections.
However, very simple measures control yeast infection. One should take the effort to avoid landing in trouble.
What is a yeast infection?
A yeast infection is inflammation of the vagina and surrounding regions due to invasion by yeast.
Yeast is a single-cell fungus. A yeast infection happens when the balance of yeast and lactobacillus bacteria in your vagina gets misbalanced.
These bacteria and fungi are present in your vagina because of the pH and moist environment available. They keep a check on the growth of the other. If one of them gets reduced, the other one has a growth outbreak.
Can yeast infection affect a pregnancy test?
No, it cannot affect a pregnancy test. This is so because yeast infection is a superficial infection.
Pregnancy test work by detecting the hormone hCG in your urine. The placenta is inside the uterus away from the yeast-infected area. The placenta produces the pregnancy test hormone hCG.
Even in the worst cases, the yeast infection doesn’t spread up to that region. In fact, pregnancy is a cause of yeast infection.
So pregnancy test detects the hormone coming in your urine. It is specific for hCG hormone.
Is Yeast infection a sign of pregnancy?
Some of you might ask ‘Is Yeast infection a sign of pregnancy?’
After reading about how probable yeast infection is during pregnancy, it is natural to ask this. But indeed the doubt is incorrect.
Yeast infection has nothing to do with symptoms of pregnancy. Yeast infection is not a sign of pregnancy. This infection is common during pregnancy as a consequence of the excessive moisture in that area.
Yeast infection is a sign of unkempt vagina. You must follow the highest standards of hygiene when you are expecting.
So the conclusion is you can take the pregnancy test even if you have a yeast infection. Yeast infection doesn’t affect a pregnancy test.
But you need to get treatment for yeast infection as soon as diagnosed because it keeps spreading.
What are the causes and risk factors of yeast infection in females?
Yeast infection is caused by Candida albicans strain of yeast. Hence it is also called candidiasis. Other variants of yeast may also cause a yeast infection.
There are many causes of yeast infection such as:
1) Taking too many antibiotics or leaving a course of antibiotic before completion
The rapid rate at which bacteria and other microbes are mutating to develop resistance is making scientists go crazy. Taking antibiotics for minor reasons cuts down the growth of healthy bacteria like Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is the same bacteria that you find in curd, buttermilk, and yogurt. Yeast and Lactobacillus are growth control checks for each other. If Lactobacillus reduces in your body, the yeast will proliferate.
2) Uncontrolled diabetes can cause a yeast infection
Uncontrolled diabetes in later stage leads to glucosuria. It is the case when glucose and other sugars start coming in your urine. If after urinating, you don’t wash the region then some sugar will remain. And even in other cases sugar will be present in your vagina if you don’t take proper care. It is the most preferred substrate (food) for yeast. They will multiply and increase exponentially and cause a yeast infection.
3) The weakened immune system can cause a yeast infection
A weakened immune system like in the case of HIV or SCID or any other disease is the worst curse for a human. When the immune system of your body is weak, then you can get any infection. After getting the yeast infection it becomes impossible to treat it in this case.
4) Unprotected sex with a male partner having a yeast infection can give you the infection
Yeast infection does get passed on through sexual contact. However, it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. It is because women who are sexually inactive get yeast infections too. So it is possible that you get a yeast infection if you have sex with a male who has a yeast infection, without using a condom. Mind you that only condom can prevent yeast infection. No other contraceptive will prevent you from getting a yeast infection.
5) Menses allow you to get a yeast infection
During your periods your entire vaginal area is moist and is very unhygienic. You have all sorts of fluid sticking to your vagina and the pelvic region. It is an ideal condition for the yeast to grow and cause a yeast infection.
6) Stress, lack of sleep and disturbed homeostasis can cause a yeast infection
A body under any stress is more prone to diseases. Hence if you are not sleeping well or have a lot of mental stress, then you are more prone to yeast infections.
7) Chemotherapy of the vaginal regions can cause a yeast infection
Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer or any other vaginal cancer can kill the good bacteria when exposed to these chemicals. Yeast doesn’t need much for its growth and hence will get back and start proliferating in your vagina.
8) Dietary loopholes can cause a yeast infection
You are prone to yeast infection if your diet doesn’t have enough probiotics. Probiotic and other nutrients support the growth of good bacteria. Healthy gut flora prevents bad microorganisms which make you prone to yeast infections. You should eat at least one serving of curd and other nutritive elements to avoid yeast infections.
9) Taking oral contraceptives can cause a yeast infection
Oral contraceptives which only have estrogen make you more vulnerable yeast infections. Hence it is advisable to switch to progestin-only kind of contraceptives. It will prevent the chances of getting a yeast infection. Spermicide crème can also cause a yeast infection. It is because these contraceptives alter the pH of the vagina and make it suitable for yeast growth.
10) Yeast infection is common during pregnancy
Recurrent yeast infections occur during pregnancy. It is because the vaginal discharge gets thicker and has blood clots. Yeast infection during pregnancy is common because of this reason.
What are the symptoms of yeast infection?
- Burning in the vagina
- Itching and irritable skin
- Increasing sensitivity of the pelvic region
- Discharge of vaginal fluid that is grayish white
- Painful sex
- Pain and burning during urination
- Soreness or roughness of the vagina
- Rashes in the pelvic area
How is yeast infection diagnosed in females?
Your doctor will do the following to diagnose whether you have a yeast infection:
- Discussion of medical history for diagnosing a yeast infection.
- Pelvic examination for diagnosing a yeast infection.
- Testing the vaginal mucus sample for diagnosing a yeast infection.
- Home vaginal swab test for diagnosing a yeast infection.
What are the treatments for yeast infection in women?
There are various treatments for yeast infection and have no side effects.
- Oral antifungal drugs prescription treats yeast infections.
- Doctors prescribe antifungal crèmes Lotrimin, butoconazole, and terconazole. It is for application in the affected areas.
- Lifestyle changes and even treating the sexual partner are a part of the treatment of yeast infections.
What are the home remedies for yeast infection?
- Applying garlic paste can alter the pH and thus treat yeast infection.
- Tea tree oil also is soothing for the rashes and irritation due to yeast infection.
- Eating yogurt can help increase the good microbes and treat yeast infection.
- Boric acid suppositories are available as over the counter drugs for treating yeast infection.
What are the ways of preventing a yeast infection?
- Don’t wear tight clothes, especially intimate underwear.
- Use cotton inner wear as it dries quickly and hence doesn’t let moisture stay there.
- Avoid taking hot baths and sitting with wet clothes.
- Use a condom when you’ve sex with a partner that might have a yeast infection.
- Avoid estrogen-only contraceptives and instead, take progestin pills.
- Use clean tampons and change them often.
