How does vaginal inflammation affect pregnancy?

  Common vaginal inflammatory conditions in pregnancy include vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis. Many clinicians are confused about the management of vaginal inflammatory diseases in pregnancy due to concerns about the possible effects of medications on the fetus and failure to keep their knowledge up to date. This article describes the interaction between vaginal inflammation and pregnancy and the current views on the management of vaginal inflammation in pregnancy.  1. Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Increased estrogen during pregnancy provides a high concentration of glycogen for localized vaginal Candida growth, and estrogen also increases the ability of Candida to adhere to vaginal mucosal epithelial cells. The presence of estrogen receptors on the surface of Candida, the binding of Candida to estrogen and estrogen increase the formation of Candida mycelium, thus increasing the virulence of Candida.  2. Bacterial vaginosis: In a study including 13,747 pregnant women at 23-26 weeks of gestation, the detection rate of BV in pregnant women was 16.3%, including 6.1% in Asian pregnant women, 5.8% in Caucasian pregnant women, 15.9% in Hispanic pregnant women, and 22.7% in African American pregnant women. Bacteria in the vagina of BV patients can enter the amniotic cavity through the fetal membranes, leading to amnionitis and amniotic chorioamnionitis, and can lead to premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. BV can also lead to postpartum endometritis and wound infection after cesarean delivery. The incidence of postoperative abdominal wound infection and endometritis was higher in BV patients delivered by cesarean section than in non-BV patients. Vaginal Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobic bacteria such as Prevotella spp. and Streptococcus digestiveis associated with BV can often be cultured from the site of postpartum endometritis in these patients.  3. Trichomonas vaginalis: The incidence of trichomonas vaginalis is similar during pregnancy and non-pregnancy. Some studies have shown that trichomoniasis is associated with the occurrence of preterm delivery. However, routine screening of pregnant women for trichomoniasis does not reduce the incidence of preterm delivery. Even one study found that treatment of asymptomatic vaginal trichomoniasis increased the incidence of preterm delivery, the occurrence of which may be related to the release of inflammatory mediators from trichomonas in death during treatment, which leads to preterm delivery.  Second, the management of vaginal inflammation 1, vulvovaginal candidiasis: VVC in pregnancy combined with antifungal therapy is slow to work and the disease is prone to recurrence. Most topical regimens are effective for vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnant women, and extended treatment (e.g., 1 week) may improve clinical outcomes and eradicate VVC. mycoplasma and several commonly used topical azole antifungal agents can be used throughout pregnancy. Oral antifungal agents should be avoided during pregnancy. Sexual partners do not require concomitant treatment.  2. Bacterial vaginosis: In low-risk groups for preterm delivery, screening and treatment of BV during pregnancy cannot reduce the incidence of preterm delivery, but can reduce the incidence of perinatal infection and postpartum endometritis in patients. In the high-risk group for preterm delivery, screening and treatment of BV during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of preterm delivery. It is not considered necessary to screen all pregnant women for BV, but those with a history of preterm delivery should be screened for early diagnosis and treatment of BV to prevent preterm delivery. Topical medication is not recommended for vaginal application because it does not clear possible upstream infection and is ineffective in preventing preterm delivery. Sexual partners do not need to be treated at the same time.  3. Trichomonas vaginalis: There is no evidence to recommend the need for routine screening for trichomonas vaginalis in asymptomatic pregnant women. The need for concurrent treatment of sexual partners is emphasized.