Sore throat early pregnancy: Prevalence, care tips, and when to see a doctor

A sore throat early pregnancy is not among the early signs that everyone knows about. Yet, it can result from a number of reasons, including:

• Hormonal changes
• Acid reflux
• Allergic reaction
• Dehydration
• Environmental factors
• Weakened immunity and infections

Regardless of the cause, a sore throat isn’t uncommon in early pregnancy and can be rather discomforting. To ease the discomfort and soreness, it’s recommended to stay hydrated, drink more warm fluids, gargle your throat, support immunity through a healthy diet, and use lozenges or hard candies. It’s also recommended to watch your symptoms closely and seek medical attention if they are severe or last for too long.

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When you’re actively planning to have a baby and trying to conceive (TTC), chances are that you’re highly alert to what’s happening to your body. For many women on their TTC journey, it’s common to track DPOs and look out for the earliest signs that they might be pregnant, such as implantation bleeding and a missed period. And when you finally do a pregnancy test and learn that you’re having a baby or expect to learn it very soon, you might become even more attentive to any symptoms to come.

Such an attention to detail is normal and well understood. But here is a thing – among many common and well-known symptoms, there might also be some things that you didn’t see coming. One of such is a sore throat.

In this article, we’ll answer the common questions associated with this symptom. Is a sore throat early pregnancy symptom? Should it make you concerned? And how can you manage it? Continue reading to learn more!

Can Early Pregnancy Cause Sore Throat?

Not many women consider a sore throat early pregnancy sign. After all, it’s not as widely known as other signs, such as missed periods, swollen breasts, or nausea. Yet, it can be one of the other accompanying symptoms.

Early pregnancy can cause a sore throat in several ways:

Hormonal Changes

Rapid hormonal changes in early pregnancy can cause a variety of symptoms, including dry mouth. Hormones can cause your throat passage to narrow and change mucus production. This can increase irritation and dryness, which causes a sore throat.

Acid Reflux

According to studies, between 30% and 80% of pregnant women experience heartburn at different stages of pregnancy, making it one of the most common symptoms. Although it often starts later in pregnancy, it’s not uncommon to start experiencing acid reflux in early pregnancy because changing hormones, as well as a growing uterus, can cause stomach acid to come up and irritate your throat. This can be another cause of soreness.

Allergic Reaction

Hormonal fluctuations and overall weakened immunity often increase sensitivity to allergens in pregnant women. Around one-third of pregnant women who had allergies before conception report worsened symptoms after conceiving. And it’s also possible, though less common, to develop allergies in pregnancy. One way or another, if you develop a new allergy or have more intense symptoms of an existing allergy, it’s possible to experience a dry, itchy, and sore throat due to this.

Dehydration

Dehydration is not uncommon in early pregnancy. It can occur because of the increased demand of your body for water and fast fluid loss caused by increased kidney work, frequent urination, and nausea. Keeping up with your body’s demand for fluids can be hard. However, not drinking enough water can lead to a range of adverse effects, including a dry and scratchy throat, dizziness, and others.

Other Causes of Sore Throat Early Pregnancy

As you now know, a sore throat early pregnancy sign that can emerge naturally due to hormonal shifts, acid reflux, dehydration, and allergic reactions. However, it can also arise from infections.

Studies show that the immune system in pregnant women undergoes a number of changes through each trimester. Early in pregnancy, it’s common to have it weakened. This can make you more prone to infections and viruses, including flu, colds, and strep. As a result, it’s possible to have a sore throat early pregnancy caused by an infection, which is the cause that might require special treatment.

But there is more you need to know. Sometimes, a sore throat might not be directly linked to pregnancy at all. It can arise from environmental factors, such as sudden temperature changes, air pollution, or dry air. These factors can simply irritate your throat, making it more itchy and sore than usual.

How Common Is a Sore Throat in Early Pregnancy?

Now that you know about the possible causes, you might be wondering whether it’s common to experience a sore throat in early pregnancy. And the answer is “yes.”

Although there are not enough studies to tell the exact number of women who experience this symptom, experts emphasize that many women report an itchy and sore throat in early pregnancy. So, if you notice this symptom, you can know for sure that it’s not odd or abnormal.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Sore Throat: Effective Management Techniques

Feeling itching and soreness in your throat can be incredibly discomforting. Not to mention, it can cause a lot of confusion and stress, especially in early pregnancy, when you are emotionally vulnerable and probably worried about your and your baby’s well-being.

Luckily, there are quite many ways to ease a sore throat early pregnancy sign. Here are the first remedies you should try:

• Stay hydrated to prevent irritation from a dry throat and mouth.
• Drink soothing teas or hot water with lemon and honey to ease irritation and provide more comfort. However, mind your daily caffeine consumption and opt for pregnancy-safe teas like green, black, and some variations of herbal teas.
• Gargle your throat with warm salt water to reduce swelling and irritation.
• Try lozenges or hard candies to relieve pain.
• Support your immune system with fruits and veggies.

Apart from these basic tips, be sure to pay attention to other symptoms you might have to determine the most effective treatment options. For example, if you have acid reflux and suspect that a sore throat is caused by it, consider the following management tips:

• Try to sleep with your head slightly elevated to prevent acid from coming up.
• Don’t eat two hours before bedtime to prevent worsened acid reflux at night.
• Minimize (or, better, avoid) any foods that trigger acid reflux, such as spicy and fatty foods, caffeine, etc. And focus on a diet that helps with heartburn instead.

When to See a Doctor

A sore throat early pregnancy is not only discomforting, but can also be dangerous for you and your baby’s health. Due to this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms and know when to see a healthcare provider.

Generally, it’s recommended to seek medical advice on any occasion when you have severe, prolonged, or disturbing symptoms. In particular, you may want to see your doctor if:

• You have a sore throat that doesn’t ease after several days.
• Your pain is so severe that you have trouble swallowing, drinking, or eating.
• You notice infection symptoms, such as a fever, white patches on your tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, etc.
• You have severe flu symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, fever, and others.
• You have a suspicion of an allergy and don’t know how to manage it the right way.

In any of these cases, your healthcare provider will help you diagnose the cause of a sore throat and find effective and pregnancy-safe treatment to ease your symptoms.

FAQ

When does sore throat start in early pregnancy?

Pregnant women can experience a sore throat at different points in their pregnancy. However, it’s believed that a sore throat early pregnancy can start very early due to rapid hormonal shifts and a weakened immune system, which can make you more susceptible to common viruses and allergens.

How to tell the difference between sore throat early pregnancy sign and an infection?

A sore throat early pregnancy sign is typically caused by hormonal fluctuations, dehydration, or acid reflux. In each of these cases, it’s common to experience an itchy and sore throat without additional symptoms. However, if a sore throat is caused by an infection, you will likely notice other accompanying symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, swollen tonsils, and others.

What do I do if I have a sore throat early pregnancy?

First and foremost, try instant remedies, such as proper hydration, drinking soothing teas, gargling your throat, and sucking on lozenges or hard candies. It’s also recommended to adjust your diet to consume more fruits and vegetables and support your immunity. If these remedies don’t help or you have any disturbing, severe, or prolonged symptoms, it’s highly recommended to see your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

As you now know, a sore throat early pregnancy isn’t uncommon. Furthermore, it can be a natural response of your body to early hormonal shifts and other pregnancy-related changes, although it can also be a result of weakened immunity and infections.

One way or another, dealing with a sore throat can be incredibly unpleasant and even stressful. Use the management tips we shared with you in this article to relieve discomfort and improve your well-being. And don’t hesitate to see your healthcare provider if it’s needed.

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