Why does my belly feel hard when lying flat at 19 weeks of pregnancy, and what should I do?
Mar 01, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
In general, vulvar itching during pregnancy may be caused by psychological responses during pregnancy, external stimuli, vulvitis, gestational diabetes, or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Specifically, as outlined above, if a patient experiences discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment to prevent serious complications.
Generally, vulvar itching during pregnancy may be caused by various factors such as psychological responses during pregnancy, external irritation, vulvitis, gestational diabetes, or vulvovaginal candidiasis. The details are as follows:
1. Psychological Response During Pregnancy
Some pregnant women may experience dizziness, nausea, and vomiting due to early pregnancy symptoms, leading to psychological stress, which may cause a subjective sensation of vulvar itching and discomfort.
2. External Irritation
In general, wearing tight undergarments made of stiff, non-breathable materials or excessive sweating can lead to moisture in the genital area, resulting in symptoms such as vulvar itching and a burning sensation. Special treatment is usually not required. It is recommended to wash the vulvar area daily with warm water—avoid using soap, and use plain water instead—to keep the genital area clean and dry. Choose cotton, breathable undergarments and observe whether symptoms improve. If other discomforts occur, it is advisable to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment under a doctor's guidance.
3. Vulvitis
Vulvitis typically occurs when the vulva is frequently irritated by urine, feces, menstrual blood, or vaginal secretions, combined with inadequate hygiene. Symptoms include vulvar itching and localized pain; in severe cases, labial adhesion may also occur. Treatment may include medications such as povidone-iodine solution or chlorhexidine-metronidazole cream, as directed by a physician.
4. Gestational Diabetes
Excessive nutritional intake during pregnancy may lead to gestational diabetes, which in turn can cause vulvar itching. It is recommended to regulate blood glucose levels under medical guidance and control daily nutrient intake to help alleviate symptoms.
5. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Vulvovaginal candidiasis usually results from a weakened immune system allowing excessive growth and reproduction of Candida species, which then invade and infect the vagina, causing inflammation. Inflammatory stimulation leads to symptoms such as vulvar itching, redness, swelling, and increased vaginal discharge. Treatments may include miconazole nitrate suppositories or miconazole nitrate vaginal soft capsules, used according to medical advice.
In summary, if discomfort occurs, patients should promptly visit a hospital for evaluation, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment to prevent serious complications.
