Though rare, having penetrative sex (the kind that involves the penis) while you have a yeast infection can cause you to pass extra yeast on to your partner, says SELF. You may also experience painful sex and vaginal itching.
Sex can also prolong a yeast infection by removing ointments or creams you’re using to treat it. That makes symptoms, like itching and a cottage cheese-like discharge, stick around longer.
Causes
Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). But they can be spread during sexual activity, because having sex contaminates the vagina with Candida and bacteria from your partner’s finger or penis or sex toy. These new organisms throw off the delicate balance between bacteria and yeast, which leads to a yeast infection. Yeast infections are also more likely to happen if you are uncircumcised, have diabetes (the excess glucose in the body is yeast’s favorite food), or have taken antibiotics for an extended period of time.
Women can get a yeast infection during menstruation or during pregnancy, because hormonal changes promote the growth of yeast. They can also develop a yeast infection after vaginal surgery, or if they are taking corticosteroids or have an impaired immune system.
Although yeast infections are more common in women, men can also get them, too. They are more likely to have a yeast infection when they are wearing tight-fitting pants or underwear, because this makes it harder for the vagina to breathe. They can also get a yeast infection from having oral sex, because it introduces different bacteria into the vagina. They can also have a yeast infection from using lubricant during sex. The good news is that yeast infections usually clear up easily with over-the-counter antifungal medication. Women should continue taking the full course of treatment, even if their symptoms go away, to prevent recurrence.
Symptoms
The fungus that causes a yeast infection, Candida albicans, is a normal part of your body’s ecosystem. However, sexual activity disrupts the normal balance of bacteria and Candida and can lead to an overgrowth of the fungus. It’s possible that you could pass a yeast infection to your partner during oral or penetrative sex, but it is not a sexually transmitted disease (STI).
Women who have a yeast infection should avoid sex until the infection has cleared up and the symptoms are gone, such as itchiness, cottage cheese-like discharge, and pain. If you’re taking medication to treat the infection, it’s also best to wait a few days until the treatment has kicked in.
Symptoms of a yeast infection can be very similar to those of other sexually transmitted infections, including herpes and genital warts. Therefore, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis so that you can know what steps to take next. Yeast infections usually clear up in about a week, and over-the-counter treatments are often effective.
Men should use condoms during penetrative sex to reduce the risk of passing an infection. They can also reduce their risk by using lubricants that help prevent friction and irritation. Yeast infections in men can appear on the anus or penis, and can cause itching, redness, and white patches. Yeast infections in men are more common than those in women, but they are just as easy to treat.
Treatment
Yeast infections can be treated with an over-the-counter antifungal medication. These are available in a variety of forms, including pills, creams and ointments. Yeast infections are more common in women, but men can get them too. If a man has symptoms of a yeast infection, such as a thick white discharge and a burning sensation when urinating, he should see a doctor so the condition can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Having sex while you have a yeast infection can make it worse. It can also increase your risk of STIs. That’s because sex can cause tiny tears in the vaginal wall, which provides a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Yeast infections can also cause itching, which can irritate the skin of the vulva and labia.
Yeast infections can be transmitted between partners, but they usually don’t spread as easily as some sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as herpes and genital warts. In fact, a yeast infection can be mistaken for an STI because many of the same symptoms—like itching and a burning feeling when you urinate—are present in both STIs and yeast infections. It’s best to avoid sex until your yeast infection is gone. This will help prevent a yeast infection from spreading to your partner or other people. Also, be sure to finish your round of antibiotics if you’ve been prescribed one to treat the yeast infection.
Prevention
There are plenty of options for prevention, including over-the-counter antifungal creams and suppositories. For those with a recurring yeast infection, a doctor may prescribe an oral medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or alternative treatments like boric acid and nystatin.
Yeast infections can cause pain, irritation and itching during sexual activity, which can make sex less than enjoyable. Plus, if the infection irritates the vaginal tissue, it can lead to an increased risk of micro-abrasions that could make you more susceptible to an STI.
If you have a yeast infection, avoid sex until your symptoms disappear and your medication has fully cleared your body. It’s also important to use protection, because even if the infection is not STI-related, it can be transmitted to your partner.
It’s possible to get a yeast infection from your male or female partner, especially if they’re uncircumcised or have a weakened immune system. Yeast infections can be spread by sharing toothbrushes, utensils, clothing or by using the same underwear.
Certain things can throw off the balance of bacteria and yeast that keeps you healthy, such as antibiotics, high moisture in the vagina, a lack of exercise, menstruation, pregnancy and changes in hormones from medications or other health conditions, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS. In fact, about 75% of women will experience a yeast infection at least once in their lives.