Sex With A Yeast Infection: Should You Wait?

Yeast infections are miserable, and it's easy to assume sex is completely off the table when you've got one. That assumption is actually a myth. Another common myth: that a yeast infection counts as a sexually transmitted infection, which it doesn't either! It can, however, occasionally pass back and forth between partners.

Keep reading for the real answer to "Can you have sex with a yeast infection?" plus a few more pressing questions about that burning sensation down there.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

Put simply, it's what occurs when the natural yeast (candida) living in your vagina multiplies out of control. Itching and discharge are the usual giveaways, but because these infections are so common, treating them is straightforward these days [1]. They're annoying, sure, but not something to lose sleep over. Once it clears, there's generally nothing lingering afterward.

Reasons Why You Shouldn't Have Sex with a Yeast Infection

Sex won't speed up or slow down your healing either way, but there are still a few reasons you might hold off until things clear up.

• A yeast infection can leave you more vulnerable to STIs like HIV.
• You can pass a yeast infection to your partner, who might then pass it right back to you once you've recovered. There's also a slim chance he could develop an irritated rash on his penis.
• Sex can amplify the itching and discomfort a yeast infection brings. Purely for comfort's sake, you might just prefer to skip it — the same way some women avoid sex during their period.
• Either of you might find the discharge that comes with a yeast infection unappealing. A shower afterward can help — or you could even try sex in the shower — but that might not be enough to change your mind. It's less about whether you're physically able to have sex with a yeast infection, and more about whether you actually want to. Some women would rather not mention the infection to their partner at all, though there's genuinely no need to feel embarrassed about it!

How to Have Sex with a Yeast Infection

So, can you have sex with a yeast infection? Go for it — just take these precautions first.

Use Condoms and Practice Safer Sex

Condoms guard against both STIs and bacteria (which can trigger a different kind of infection), both worth worrying about with a yeast infection in play. Even if you normally skip them, it's worth using condoms during this stretch.

Most women would rather their partner not go down on them mid-infection, but if he does, use a dental dam. Yeast infections can transfer to a partner performing oral sex, since the soft tissue of the mouth and throat isn't drastically different from vaginal tissue — a yeast infection there is called thrush. Thrush can develop from going down on someone with a yeast infection [2], and it mirrors many of the same symptoms as the vaginal version.

Treat Your Infection Immediately

Plenty of treatment options exist for yeast infections. A doctor might prescribe oral medication or a suppository antifungal, with the latter typically needing multiple applications before it works [3]. Over-the-counter remedies are an option too if these infections aren't a recurring issue for you, though it's worth seeking medical advice if you're not seeing improvement.

There are also a handful of at-home remedies worth trying for a yeast infection, though not all of them pair well with sexy time. If a friend asks you "Can you have sex with a yeast infection?", feel free to point her toward those remedies too.

Cleanse Thoroughly But Don't Douche

Yeast infections tend to crop up when your vaginal flora gets thrown off balance, and that can happen for several reasons.

• Switching laundry detergent.
• Douching.
• Using cleansing products loaded with harsh chemicals.
• One study even points to a partner's saliva as a possible contributor to yeast infections [4].
• Recent antibiotic use.
• Menopause or puberty.
• Having diabetes.

As a rule, stick to unscented, mild cleansers on your vulva, and keep anything other than water out of your vagina itself. Making sure your partner is clean beforehand helps keep things balanced down there too.

Keep in mind this advice applies specifically to yeast infections, marked by itching, burning, and thick white discharge. But discharge and itching can also signal a different STI — trichomoniasis. A pharmacy test can help you figure out which one you're dealing with. Monistat sells one, and if it comes back negative, it's time to check in with your doctor.

So, can you have sex with a yeast infection? Yes — though you might decide you'd rather not. Weigh your options and think about whether you'll feel comfortable, physically and mentally, having sex while infected. A mild case won't slow some women down at all. For others, it's a total dealbreaker.

None of this means you have to put your sex life on pause entirely. You can still give him oral or a great handjob. Anal sex is another option worth considering. Keep your clothes on and dry hump like teenagers! Phone sex and cybersex make fun stand-ins too. Even without penetration, there's plenty of room to mix things up — treat this as a chance to experiment, and you'll likely be ripping off each other's clothes the moment your infection clears and penetrative sex is back on the table.

Bottom line: it's generally safe to have sex with a yeast infection as long as you stick to safer sex practices like condoms or dental dams. If you're not going to commit to that, it's smarter to wait it out. That typically takes about a week, so it's hardly a permanent setback!

November 20, 2020