Yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted infections (STIs) because most are not transmitted person to person, and they can occur in people who have never had sex.
Indeed, yeast infections often develop because of factors that throw off the microbial balance of the body — such as hormonal changes and antibiotic use — and allow candida yeasts to grow out of control, causing infection.
Women, Yeast Infections, and Sexual Activity
As many as 3 in 4 women will have a yeast infection at least once in her life, and half of all women will get two or more.Common causes of candida overgrowth, which leads to yeast infections include:
Taking antibiotics
Hormonal changes due to birth control, pregnancy, or shifts in the menstrual cycle
A weakened immune system or uncontrolled diabetes
Scented soaps, deodorants, or feminine hygiene products
Tight clothing
Not changing out of wet clothes or swimsuits
Yeast infections can share many of the same symptoms as some STIs, such as vaginal itching, burning, pain, redness, and discharge.
Given the prevalence of STIs and yeast infections, it’s not unreasonable for a woman to wonder if a yeast infection may increase her risk of other vaginal infections.
For the most part, yeast infections aren’t associated with the development of an STI. But by scratching to relieve vaginal itching, you may inadvertently create microscopic tears in the skin that allow bacteria or viruses that cause STIs to enter your body more easily.
Can You Have Sex With a Yeast Infection?
Generally, it’s recommended to wait to have sex until after your infection clears — which typically takes one to seven days with antifungal medications available over the counter or with a prescription. These can include oral medications like fluconazole or topical antifungal creams like miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole.
If you’re considering having sex while you have a vaginal yeast infection, it’s important to first consider the risks.
For one thing, the vaginal itching and burning associated with yeast infections may make sex uncomfortable or painful and increase vaginal burning and inflammation.Additionally, the friction involved with penetrative sex can cause irritation and make it more difficult to heal.
Another thing that might hinder you from having sex is the yeast infection treatment method you’re using.
If you’re using antifungal creams to treat your vaginal yeast infection, it’s best to delay intercourse until the therapy is complete, as sex could hinder the medication from working as well. What’s more, some topical medications, such as clotrimazole and miconazole, contain oil that can break down condoms, reducing their effectiveness.It’s also best to avoid receiving oral sex until your symptoms clear, as yeast infections can pass from the genitals to the mouth and cause an infection called thrush.
HIV and Vaginal Yeast Infections
Though yeast infections aren’t typically associated with STIs, they do have a well-known connection to HIV/AIDS, an STI that is often spread through sexual activity. HIV/AIDS can also be transmitted through direct contact of bodily fluids with an open wound or a tear in the skin and dirty needles.HIV is a known risk factor for yeast infections — it suppresses the immune system, allowing opportunistic infections to take root. In women living with HIV, recurrent vaginal yeast infections (at least four times per year) are common and can be more difficult to treat.The link also goes the other way: Vaginal yeast infections may increase a woman’s risk of getting HIV. That’s because yeast infections bring the white blood cells to the vagina, including those that can be infected with HIV. More HIV-susceptible cells gathered in the vagina means more opportunities for the virus to enter if a woman is exposed.Since yeast infections can irritate the vaginal lining even if you haven’t been scratching, it’s a good idea to use condoms if you plan to be sexually active while you have a yeast infection and don’t know the HIV status of your partner. Of course, this is standard advice even when you don’t have a yeast infection.And if you’re using medication to treat a yeast infection that can weaken a condom, like an antifungal cream, it’s best to abstain from sex altogether until the infection has cleared.
Men, Yeast Infections, and Sexual Activity
While yeast infections are often thought of as something that only affects women, men get yeast infections, too. Similar to those that occur in women, yeast infections in men are driven by an overgrowth of candida, which thrive in warm, moist environments. It most commonly occurs in creased areas or folds, such as the foreskin of the penis.The risk of men getting a yeast infection through sex is low, but up to 15 percent of men may get an uncomfortable rash on their penis if they have unprotected sex with a woman who has a yeast infection.Certain risk factors put men at a higher risk of yeast infection, including poor hygiene, not being circumcised, antibiotic use, and having diabetes.In lesbian relationships, it’s possible that yeast infections may be spread from one partner to another through oral sex, although this has not yet been studied extensively.If your partner (male or female) begins to experience any signs of a yeast infection, such as itching, burning, redness, or discharge, he or she should see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.While less common, it’s also possible to get an anal yeast infection, due to many of the same factors that cause vaginal yeast infections, such as damp or tight-fitting clothing, poor hygiene, and excessive sweating. It can also be caused by a buildup of candida in the intestines that travels into the anal canal. Like a vaginal yeast infection, an anal yeast infection is not considered an STI, but it can be spread through unprotected anal sex.
When to See a Doctor for a Yeast Infection
Typically, yeast infections aren’t serious and most clear up with over-the-counter or prescription treatment. But complicated yeast infections can cause more severe symptoms like swelling and intense itching that lead to tears or sores in the vagina. These types of infections are more likely to occur if you have a compromised immune system.See your doctor if your symptoms haven’t gone away despite a course of treatment with antifungal medication (typically one to seven days). Also make an appointment if it’s the first time you’re experiencing signs of a yeast infection or if you’re not sure of the cause of your symptoms. A yeast infection shares symptoms with other types of vaginal infections so your doctor can ensure you’re getting the proper treatment.
