Why might there be itching around the urethra during pregnancy?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Itching around the urethra during pregnancy is often caused by hormonal shifts that increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, or irritation from changes in vaginal discharge. Other possible causes include bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections, or sensitivity to soaps and detergents. Because untreated infections during pregnancy can affect both you and your baby, it's important to see a doctor promptly if symptoms persist or worsen.

Not sure what's causing your discomfort? Pregnancy symptoms can overlap with many conditions, making it hard to know what's serious and what's not. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand your symptoms, identify possible causes, and guide your next steps—so you can talk to your doctor with clarity and confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what causes urethra itching in pregnancy See if your symptoms need care today Find out if it could be an infection Explore over-the-counter relief for urethral itching Find a doctor for pregnancy urinary symptoms Discover safe home remedies for urethra itching Understand possible causes of itchy urethra now

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Explanation

When a woman is pregnant, her body goes through many changes because of hormones. These changes can upset the balance of good bacteria and yeast in the body. When that balance is lost, some germs can grow more than they should, leading to infections.

One common infection is a urinary tract infection, which can make the skin around the urethra itchy and uncomfortable. Another possibility is a yeast infection, which is also more likely during pregnancy.

Both types of infections can cause itching, irritation, and sometimes a change in the normal discharge that a woman has. It is also possible that the itchiness comes from mild irritation in the area due to these changes in the body.

If the itching is bothersome, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your discomfort, and it is important to talk with your doctor, who can check for signs of infection and help decide on the best treatment while keeping both mom and baby safe.

(References)

Prasad D, Parween S, Kumari K, Singh N. Prevalence, Etiology, and Associated Symptoms of Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy in Women Seen in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bihar. Cureus. 2021 Jan 14;13(1):e12700. doi: 10.7759/cureus.12700. PMID: 33614308; PMCID: PMC7883588.
Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537047/
Schneeberger C, Geerlings SE, Middleton P, Crowther CA. Interventions for preventing recurrent urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jul 26;2015(7):CD009279. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009279.pub3. PMID: 26221993; PMCID: PMC6457953.

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