Topical treatment for vaginal candidiasis (thrush) in pregnancy

Young G, Jewell D

Published Online:

February 17, 2010

Imidazoles are best but pregnant women may need longer (7 not 4 day) courses. Thrush is a common vaginal infection in pregnancy causing itching and soreness. There is no evidence that this yeast infection harms the baby. Antifungal creams are effective. Imidazoles (such as clotrimazole) are more effective than older treatments such as nystatin and hydrargaphen. Longer courses (7 days) cured more than 90% of women whereas standard (4 day) courses only cured about half the cases.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Vaginal candidiasis (moniliasis or thrush) is a common and frequently distressing infection for many women. It is even more common in pregnancy. There is no evidence that thrush in pregnancy is harmful to the baby.

Objectives:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of different methods of treating vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (March 2001). We updated this search on 1 October 2009 and added the results to the awaiting classification section.

Selection criteria:

Randomised trials of any treatment for vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy.

Data collection and analysis:

Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data.

Main results:

Ten trials were included. Based on five trials, imidazole drugs were more effective than nystatin when treating vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.29). In turn, Nystatin was as effective as hydrargaphen in one trial (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.05-1.84). A trial of clotrimazole was more effective than placebo (odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.31). Single dose treatment was no more or less effective than three or four days treatment. However, two trials involving 81 women, showed that treatment lasting for four days was less effective than treatment for seven days (odds ratio 11.7, 95% confidence interval 4.21 to 29.15). Based on two trials, treatment for seven days was no more or less effective than treatment for 14 days (odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 1.05). Terconazole was as effective as clotrimazole (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 0.28- 7.10).

Authors' conclusions:

Topical imidazole appears to be more effective than nystatin for treating symptomatic vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Treatments for seven days may be necessary in pregnancy rather than the shorter courses more commonly used in non-pregnant women.

[Note: The seven citations in the awaiting classification section of the review may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.]

This record should be cited as:

Young G, Jewell D. Topical treatment for vaginal candidiasis (thrush) in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1996, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000225. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000225

Assessed as up to date:

July 1, 2001

Find the research

Get full text at The Cochrane Library

Primary Review Group:

Pregnancy and Childbirth Group

Health topics:

Gynaecology > Sexually transmitted disease > Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

Infectious disease > Sexually transmitted disease > Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

Pregnancy & childbirth > Infection during pregnancy > Sexually transmitted diseases

Skin > Infections > Vaginal candidiasis (thrush)

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Topical treatment for vaginal candidiasis (thrush) in pregnancy

More like this

Copyright © 2011 - The Cochrane Collaboration