Although yeast infections (also known as Candidiasis) are relatively common, they’re still rather unpleasant to experience. These infections, which are caused by a yeast called Candida, typically involve a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, irritation, inflammation, soreness, and vaginal discharge. But despite these symptoms, does a yeast infection also have to put a damper on your sex life? Learn more about whether having sex with a yeast infection is safe for your health and what to tell your partner if you’re currently undergoing treatment for an infection.
How to Recognize a Yeast Infection
Before digging into the details about sex with a yeast infection, it’s important to make sure you know for sure that’s what the issue is. Unfortunately, some vaginal infections can be mistaken for yeast infections when there’s really something else going on with your vaginal health.
First, take stock of your symptoms. Do yours include any or all of the following?
- Vulvar or vaginal itching, burning, redness, and inflammation
- A burning sensation while urinating or having vaginal sex
- Vaginal soreness, pain, or rashes
- A thick, white vaginal discharge that’s odor-free and has the texture of cottage cheese
The symptoms listed above are those most commonly associated with vaginal yeast infections. However, take note that symptoms like the first three items on the list are often found in other types of related vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and certain types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you’re having any uncertainty, pay particular attention to any vaginal discharge you are experiencing. The odor-free, white, cottage cheese-like excretion described above is unique to yeast infections. For example, with BV, the discharge is typically white, gray, or green in color and has a thin consistency and a fishy odor. Noticing these differences can help you determine what type of vaginal health issue you’re dealing with.
If you still have any questions or concerns, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or OB GYN. They can provide a diagnosis for what type of infection or issue is causing your symptoms and give you advice on the recommended course of treatment, which may involve a prescription ointment or medication.
If you’re using at-home treatments instead, you can find over-the-counter treatments and medications like Terconazole cream or miconazole cream applied directly to the vulva and vagina or oral fluconazole pills.
Are Yeast Infections Contagious During Sex?
One of the first concerns many women with yeast infections have is whether they can pass a yeast infection to their partner. The answer is yes — yeast infections can be contagious through direct contact, vaginal intercourse, or oral intercourse. However, the risk varies depending on your partner’s anatomy.
If your partner has a penis, they are less likely to get a yeast infection from you than if they have a vagina. Overall, the risk of passing a yeast infection is considered to be fairly low, especially if you have sex with a woman, but many people decide to abstain until they’ve healed to protect their partner’s health. If you do decide to have sex, you should disclose your yeast infection beforehand and inform your partner of the possible risks.
The Risks of Sex with a Yeast Infection
Having sex with a yeast infection isn’t recommended because it can potentially lead to your symptoms becoming even worse. For example, the vaginal or vulvar irritation that women experience during yeast infections may be caused by tiny cuts that develop in the area. If you have vaginal sex, those cuts can become even more irritated and painful. In addition, the added irritation can create more inflammation and cause your infection to heal more slowly.
It’s best to avoid inserting anything into your vagina (besides approved treatments) during this time. That’s because new bacteria (from sex toys or a partner’s penis, fingers, etc.) may cause your infection to worsen.
The discomfort alone is enough for many women with yeast infections to wait to have sex until they’ve healed to have sex. The friction caused during vaginal sex can be particularly painful when you’re dealing with this type of infection, which is why many gynecology experts recommend waiting until your infection is gone to have intercourse.
Can Yeast Infections Be Sexually Transmitted Infections?
Yeast infections are not considered to be sexually transmitted infections. However, having sexual contact with another person does carry the risk of spreading it to your partner(s).
Another reason to avoid vaginal sex during a yeast infection, however, is that it could increase your risk contracting an STI or becoming pregnant for a couple of reasons. First, some topical treatments include oil, which could increase the chances of a condom breaking. Second, if you have any tiny cuts on the vulva or vagina due to your infection, your risk of contracting an STI is heightened as bacteria and viruses will be able to travel into the body more easily through these breaks in the skin.
So, Can You Have Sex with Yeast Infection Symptoms?
If your yeast infection is still active, meaning that you have symptoms present, it’s best to hold off on both vaginal and oral sex until your symptoms clear up and you’re healthy again.
While it may be a disappointing idea to have to put your sex life on hold while your yeast infection clears up, it gives you more control over your health. Plus, it may help you to heal faster and reduce the risk of complications from your infection. If you desire, you can explore other options with your partner in the meantime, but any sexual contact involving your vagina should be avoided.
For those who suffer from chronic yeast infections, simply waiting for your infection to go away might not be an option. If that’s the case for you, talk to your doctor about ways to have sex safely and comfortably while undergoing treatment for ongoing yeast infections.
How Long Does It Take Yeast Infections to Heal?
The good news is that most yeast infections clear up fairly quickly, so the wait to have sex again won’t seem to long. With either an over-the-counter or prescription treatment along with good personal hygiene, most infections go away in about four to seven days. You can boost your chances of healing more quickly and help ward off future infections by taking steps to improve your immune system and adding vaginal probiotics to your daily regimen.
If your infection persists, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss other options used to treat yeast infections, such as prescription antifungal creams or antibiotics.
