The Metallic Taste in Your Mouth During Pregnancy

metallic taste in mouth pregnancy

Pregnancy-related hormonal changes may affect your taste buds, giving you a metallic or bitter flavour. While these effects are transient, there are a few things you may do to lessen the taste while you wait.

Many changes occur during pregnancy due to an increase in hormones. Unwanted symptoms can also be brought on by these hormones, particularly in the first trimester.

Pregnancy symptoms that are most commonly experienced by women include nausea and exhaustion, although some also report taste changes. This flavour is frequently characterised as "bitter" or "metallic."

Changes in your senses brought on by pregnancy could be the cause of your sensation of having old pennies on your tongue.

Sensory changes and pregnancy

Oestrogen and progesterone levels rise throughout pregnancy to support the growing foetus. Hormones are undoubtedly required, but they also have a role in the physiological changes that cause symptoms.

This is particularly valid in the first trimester when your body is getting used to being pregnant.

Pregnancy can cause changes in a woman's appetite and eating choices. You may have an intense need for chocolate, pickles, or chips that you didn't have previously. Find out more about cravings during pregnancy here.

Or maybe some of your favourite foods don't taste well when you're pregnant. In the worst situations, a few foods may cause symptoms of morning sickness.

Pregnancy-related sensory alterations can also leave your mouth tasting strange. Among these is the infamous metallic taste, which is frequent.

What’s behind the metallic taste?

During the first trimester, morning sickness, which causes vomiting, is a typical issue. During this time, you may also feel changes in taste and smell, among other senses. Some pregnant women may develop dysgeusia, a disorder considered to be caused by hormonal changes.

Taste changes are referred to as dysgeusia. In particular, it may make your mouth taste:

• rancid
• foul
• metallic
• salty
• burnt

According to studies, dysgeusia usually gets worse during the first trimester of pregnancy and gets better towards the end. Other than pregnancy, there are several medical reasons for dysgeusia. They could consist of:

• taking vitamins or supplements
• over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription
• kidney or liver disease
• cancer or cancer treatments
• heavy metal or chemical exposure having certain dental appliances or fillings medications
• colds or infections in the mouth
• dry mouth
• diabetes
• gingivitis

If you do not have any of the aforementioned medical conditions, dysgeusia is probably regarded as benign. But you should see a doctor about this, particularly if you are experiencing new or troublesome symptoms in addition to the taste of metal.

You cannot directly attribute changes in your food aversions or cravings to dysgeusia. However, it may give some meals an unpleasant or bitter taste. Foods that leave behind aftertastes, including those sweetened artificially, fall under this category. Additionally, drinking mineral water can make metal taste stronger in your mouth.

Getting rid of the taste

There isn't a medical remedy that can eliminate the metallic taste that pregnant women experience. However, there are things you can do to lessen dysgeusia's consequences. You can alter your diet to include:

• consuming sugar-free mints or sugar-free gum
• consuming cooler foods like ice pops and chips
• eating saltine crackers as a snack to mask the taste of metal
• consuming spicy food to dull unusual flavours
• eating and drinking sour foods and drinks, including pickles and green apples
• consuming orange juice
• selecting vinegar-marinated meals

As an alternative to metal silverware, you can use plastic cutlery. Consuming enough fluids to stay well hydrated might also help avoid dry mouth.

Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help you avoid unpleasant tastes and preserve the health of your gums and teeth. To assist in eliminating any residual metal tastes, you can gently brush your tongue in addition to cleaning and flossing your teeth.

A saltwater rinse or mild mouthwash can also be beneficial.

The takeaway

While dysgeusia in certain cases may indicate an underlying medical condition, pregnancy-related dysgeusia is probably not a cause for concern. Many pregnant women have a metallic taste, which is not hazardous and normally subsides during the pregnancy.

Dysgeusia, like many other pregnant symptoms, will go away on its own in due course.

See your doctor about dietary adjustments and other options if you're unable to tolerate the metallic taste. This is particularly crucial if you're finding it difficult to eat because of how awful the flavour is.

FAQs

How early in pregnancy do you get a metallic taste in your mouth?

as early as week six of pregnancy

Does metallic taste in mouth mean boy or girl?

There's no evidence to support that

What are the first signs of pregnancy in the mouth?

Metallic Taste in Mouth

When do the first signs of pregnancy start?

A week or two after conception