While yeast infections are not sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), they can be passed on through unprotected oral or anal sex. Yeast infections are also itchy, painful, and can cause inflammation in the vulva and penis.
It’s a good idea to wait until your symptoms have cleared and you have completed treatment before having sex. Depending on the antifungal treatment, that could take anywhere from 1-7 days.
Yeast Infection Symptoms
Yeast infections occur when a strain of the fungus Candida grows out of control in the moist, mucous membranes of the genital area. While it’s normal for tiny amounts of this yeast to reside in these tissues, an overgrowth can cause vaginal itching and discharge that looks chunky and resembles cottage cheese. The skin of the vulva and anus may also be red, itchy, and painful.
The discomfort of a yeast infection makes sex difficult, if not impossible. “I usually tell patients to wait seven days after they finish their medication or OTC treatments to make sure symptoms such as itching, a cottage cheese-like discharge, and irritation of the vulva have cleared up before they have sex,” says Peace Nwegbo-Banks, MD, an OBG-YN at Serenity Women’s Health & Med Spa in Pearland, Texas.
While it’s not as common, men can get a yeast infection too. In fact, oral, vaginal, or anal sex with a partner who has a yeast infection can transmit the fungus to other parts of the body, such as the mouth or anus, and lead to thrush. Yeast infections in men are not sexually transmitted, but they can be caused by antibiotics or certain health conditions.
Because of this, it’s important for men and women to practice good hygiene practices by showering daily with warm water, wearing loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers, avoiding the use of scented or unnatural products in the genital area, and only taking antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor. These and other good hygienic habits can help to prevent and treat yeast infections, including preventing complications such as painful sex.
Yeast Infection Treatment
A fungus called Candida normally lives on the skin and in the digestive tract, but it can overgrow in the vagina and cause painful symptoms. Women may notice itching or a cottage cheese-like discharge, pain with urination and sex, and enlarged vulva and labia. The condition usually clears up within a week with treatment.
You can treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter medications that are available in pills and vaginal creams. However, a doctor should always provide a diagnosis before you take any medication. That way, you know exactly which medication is treating your infection. It’s also important that you complete the full course of treatment, as prescribed by your doctor. Doing so ensures that you restore the balance of healthy bacteria and yeast in the vagina.
Some treatments are more effective than others, such as the antifungal drugs nystatin or clotrimazole. A doctor may also prescribe boric acid, a capsule inserted into the vagina. These medicines are used for recurring yeast infections that don’t respond to first-line treatments.
Other home remedies for a yeast infection include eating probiotic foods, such as yogurt that contains Lactobacillus, which are good bacteria that help keep Candida in check. Some studies suggest that using probiotics and natural remedies alone can be as effective as antifungal medication at treating a yeast infection.
Yeast Infection Prevention
It’s possible to have sex while having a yeast infection, but it should be delayed until the infection clears. The infection can inflame the genital area, causing painful sex. In addition, it may cause more friction in the area and increase the risk of having a sexually transmitted disease (STI). Yeast infections can also irritate the vulva and the vulva’s opening, which causes pain with urination. It’s possible to spread a yeast infection to your partner during sex, although it’s rare.
Yeast infections occur when the balance of the normal levels of lactobacillus – which are normally found in the vagina and vulva – is upset. Women are more susceptible to getting yeast infections than men, but both can get them. Yeast infections can affect the vagina or the penis, and they can be chronic if left untreated.
Yeast infections can be prevented by wearing loose, cotton underwear and using natural, non-scented lubricants. People who have a weakened immune system, such as those with diabetes or other diseases that cause a lowered immunity, are at a higher risk for yeast infections. Having a healthy diet and maintaining good hygiene are important for preventing an infection as well. Some medications, such as antibiotics and steroids, can also increase the risk of a yeast infection. It’s also important to see a doctor if your symptoms do not go away or become recurrent.
Yeast Infection Recovery
It’s important to wait until a yeast infection has cleared completely before engaging in sexual activity. This will help reduce the risk of passing the infection to your partner and make for a more comfortable sex experience.
Resuming sexual activity too soon can exacerbate symptoms like itching, discomfort, and burning that may interfere with sex. It can also slow healing and increase the length of time it takes to clear up the infection.
While yeast infections aren’t a sexually transmitted disease (STD), having sex with a partner who has a yeast infection can interfere with the protective levels of lactobacillus that naturally reside in the vagina and protect against fungus. It can also cause the yeast to re-infect the new partner, especially if the partner hasn’t finished the treatment course.
If you do have sex during a yeast infection, it’s important to use a water-based lubricant that will minimize friction and irritation in the vagina. It’s also important to wear loose, cotton underwear and avoid scented products in the genital area as these can disrupt the balance of bacteria that prevents yeast infections.
