Pregnancy is a time of significant physical changes, and one of the lesser-discussed symptoms many expectant mothers experience is a metallic taste in their mouth. This phenomenon, known medically as dyslexia, can be an unpleasant surprise, but it is surprisingly common. Studies suggest that many pregnant women report changes in their sense of taste during pregnancy (1). But why does this happen? Understanding the underlying causes can help alleviate concerns and offer potential solutions for managing the taste.
Do you feel like you are sucking on something metallic, like a rusty coin perhaps? Considering how common this is among pregnant women, especially during the first trimester, we wonder why it does not get as much attention as morning sickness! So in this piece, we try to understand what dysgeusia is, what causes it, and what you can do to get rid of it.
What is Dysgeusia, or Metal Mouth?
Dysgeusia, also known as metal mouth, is a condition that causes a pregnant woman’s mouth to taste metallic. This usually occurs in the first trimester. Unfortunately, this is the same time you get morning sickness as well, and dysgeusia might make it worse.
It can be an undefined, unpleasant taste that’s hard to explain. Many women have tried to describe it as the taste of drinking water from a metal cup, though it is difficult actually to describe the same thing. Dysgeusia can worsen during the first weeks of pregnancy but usually improves as the pregnancy progresses. (2)
What Causes the Metallic Taste During Pregnancy?
The actual reason why you feel a metallic taste is not known. However, there are multiple probable explanations for dysgeusia.
1. More Estrogen in the Body
Pregnancy is known to play around quite a bit with your hormonal levels. One specific hormone, estrogen, is produced a lot during pregnancy. Among other things, estrogen also impacts taste.
As the amount of estrogen in the body increases, so does the sense of taste. Every time the estrogen levels fluctuate, your sense of taste also changes. This is why you keep liking and disliking certain tastes throughout your pregnancy. This could also be the explanation for the metallic aftertaste
2. More Sensitive to Smell
Similar to taste, it has been noted that many pregnant women register a heightened sense of smell. This is also connected with dysgeusia since taste and smell seem to be intimately connected senses (3).
3. Edema
Your body tends to retain more water during pregnancy. Water retention, or edema, can alter the body’s electrolyte balance and fluid distribution. These imbalances may affect the taste buds and might be another trigger for the metallic taste
While these seem to be the most plausible explanations, there are other reasons to consider them, including:
- Some people think that dysgeusia protects pregnant women from eating foods that could be harmful to them or their unborn child.
- It is the body’s way of “triggering” the women to eat more iron and calcium.
- It is the result of toxins secreted by lymph glands.
[Read: 5 Tips To Minimize Water Retention During Pregnancy]
When Might You Experience a Metallic Taste in Your Mouth During Pregnancy?
It is more or less similar to morning sickness. While some pregnant women may experience a metallic taste in their mouth during every pregnancy, some might experience it during one pregnancy but not during another. In addition, many pregnant women may not experience any metallic taste in their mouth.
If you are wondering when the metallic taste in pregnancy begins, here’s your answer. Although dysgeusia in pregnant women can occur at any point during the first trimester of pregnancy, it typically begins around week six. However, some people might notice it even earlier or later in their pregnancy.
How Long Will the Metallic Taste in Mouth During Pregnancy Last?
Metallic taste during pregnancy is the play of hormones, indicating that your pregnancy hormones are in full swing. However, some women also go without much bother from dysgeusia in their pregnancies as well.
If you are lucky, it will disappear completely or at least reduce in intensity as your pregnancy progresses, much like morning sickness.
If you are unlucky, you might have to bear with it throughout the pregnancy. Apart from the discomfort, dysgeusia is not a medical concern and does not require any treatment.
What Can I Do to Ease the Metallic Taste in My Mouth During Pregnancy?
We hope the following few tips will help you if you are experiencing a metallic taste:
1. Saliva-inducing food
If there is more saliva in your mouth, it can wash away the metallic taste. You can try:
- Have more citrus flavors like lime water or vinegar-rich food like pickles. These tend to increase saliva in the mouth. Eating citrus-rich foods like oranges also helps
- Chewing gum can not only improve the taste in your mouth, but it also produces more saliva, which washes away the metallic taste.
[Read: Pickles During Pregnancy: Is It Safe To Eat?]
2. Supplements
Sometimes, some of the prenatal vitamins you are taking might be causing a metallic aftertaste. You might want to check with your doctor and review your current supplements.
3. Brushing and Flossing
Brushing your teeth well and often is another way to keep your mouth free of metallic tastes. Flossing also helps a great deal.
4. Gargling
Another trick is to gargle with mouthwash after brushing. You can also try to gargle with a bit of salt or baking powder solution. All these help to neutralize the pH level in the mouth and keep the metallic taste away
5. Cold Water
If the weather permits, sipping on cold water is also known to help. If not, even drinking lots of plain water helps. Also If possible, as mentioned before, squeeze a bit of lemon in the water. Avoid sugar.
6. Sour Food
Metallic taste can be fought with sour food items that will mask the metallic flavor. Therefore, it is good to try some sour lollies.
7. Green Apples
Some women claim green apples help a great deal in dealing with dysgeusia. Green apples’ refreshing and tart flavor—especially their high acidity—can help stimulate the taste buds and produce a more neutral or pleasant taste.
Is it Possible to Avoid Metal Mouth During Pregnancy?
No. You can’t prevent the metallic taste during pregnancy. However, you can better prepare yourself for this uncommon but innocuous symptom by being aware that metallic taste is a common occurrence and that there are some remedies.
In conclusion, the metallic taste often experienced during pregnancy, known as dysgeusia, is a common yet temporary symptom that affects many expectant mothers. While unpleasant, the metallic taste usually subsides as the pregnancy progresses. Managing this symptom may involve staying hydrated, practicing good oral hygiene, and making dietary adjustments to minimize the sensation. As always, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider if the taste persists or other concerns accompany it.
Read Also: How to Stop Excessive Ptyalism or Saliva During Pregnancy
FAQs
1. What Week Does Metallic Taste Start in Pregnancy?
Dysgeusia is most frequent in the first trimester and normally disappears as the pregnancy proceeds. Your taste senses should return to normal when your hormones begin to stabilize in the second trimester.
2. What Does A Metallic Taste In Your Mouth Indicate?
Having a metallic aftertaste isn’t normal and may be a symptom of a number of different health issues, including drug side effects, kidney or liver disease, untreated diabetes, and even cancer. However, in pregnancy, a metallic taste may be the result of heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion.
3. Can Too Much Iron Cause A Metallic Taste In The Mouth?
Metals like iron, zinc, and copper may be found in a variety of substances that can leave a metallic aftertaste on the tongue. Scientists think that this occurs because the mineral triggers the oxidation of a protein in saliva. There is some evidence that prenatal vitamins and calcium supplements have this impact.
4. Is Metallic Taste a Symptom of Diabetes?
As a side effect of their diabetes, some people report a metallic aftertaste in their mouths. An early indicator of diabetes is a sensation of metallic aftertaste.
Reference
- Steven Nordin, Daniel A. Broman, Jonas K. Olofsson, Marianne Wulff, A Longitudinal Descriptive Study of Self-reported Abnormal Smell and Taste Perception in Pregnant Women, Chemical Senses, Volume 29, Issue 5, June 2004, Pages 391–402 – https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/29/5/391/368321
- Crystal L. Patil, Elizabeth T. Abrams, Alexis R. Steinmetz & Sera L. Young. (2012) Appetite Sensations and Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: An Overview of the Explanations. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 51:5, pages 394-417. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/00016480260046544
- Written by Sandra H. Blumenrath, PHD, MS, Content Provided By BrainFacts/SfN – https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/taste/2020/how-taste-and-smell-work-011720
