Can You Get a Yeast Infection From Sex?

Yeast infections are incredibly common and can be triggered by a wide range of things. And that includes having sex. 

Yeast infections aren’t not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), because you can develop them even if you’re not sexually active. But they can definitely be triggered by sex. 

Here’s how to help prevent getting a yeast infection after sex, and how to treat it if you get one. 

What is a yeast infection?

A yeast infection develops when too much yeast, specifically Candida, grows in your vagina. This overgrowth of yeast can lead to an infection in the vagina and the vulva, which is the skin and tissue surrounding your vagina. 

Symptoms of a yeast infection can be mild or severe, and they may include:

• Burning, itching, and swelling in and around the vagina 

• Pain when urinating

• Pain during sex

• Vaginal discharge

What causes yeast infections?

A whole range of bacteria and other microorganisms, including yeast, live in your vagina. They make up what’s called your vaginal microbiome. 

But this balance can be thrown off by a range of things. When this happens, it can lead to an overgrowth of yeast, which can trigger a yeast infection. 

Factors that can affect the vaginal microbiome include:

• Sexual activity

• Taking certain medications

• Using vaginal products like douches or vaginal deodorants

• Pregnancy or menstruating

• Certain illnesses

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• Is boric acid safe? Yes, you can safely use boric acid to treat a yeast infection, but learn more about the pros and cons.

Can you get a yeast infection from sex?

You may have developed a yeast infection after having sex at some point. Or maybe this happens more often for you. 

The reason sex can trigger a yeast infection is that sexual activity can expose your vagina to bacteria and other microorganisms. And this can disrupt your vaginal microbiome.

This can occur through any type of sexual activity, like vaginal penetration or oral sex. It can also happen if bacteria from your anus gets transferred to your vagina, either from a finger, genitals, or a sex toy.

If your partner has a yeast infection, you won’t catch it from them. But it may tip the balance of yeast in your vagina and trigger a yeast infection.

What are the risk factors for developing a yeast infection?

Certain things can make you more likely to get a yeast infection, including:

• Douching: Some people douche to get rid of odors or cleanse their vagina before or after sex. Douching can change the balance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina and leave you open to an overgrowth of yeast

• Using spermicides: If you use spermicide for birth control and often get yeast infections, consider trying a different type of birth control. Spermicide contains chemicals that can change the chemistry of the vagina. This makes it easier for bacteria and fungus to become unbalanced.

• Wearing tight or wet clothes: Tight underwear, tights, or pants can raise your body temperature and moisture levels. Wearing wet swimsuits or damp workout clothing for a long time can increase moisture levels.

• Having diabetes that’s not well controlled: This can make it harder for your immune system to keep Candida in check.

• Having a weakened immune system: This can also make it hard to prevent yeast from growing.

• Taking antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill off some good bacteria and upset the balance of bacteria and yeast in your vagina.

How do you prevent yeast infections before and after sex?

You can help lower your odds of getting a yeast infection by changing a few behaviors. You may hear other advice, like that peeing or washing your vagina after sex can prevent yeast infections. But research hasn’t shown that these strategies can help.

Here’s what can help:

• During sex, use a condom or dental dam to help keep yeast from transferring from your partner to your vagina. 

• If yeast infections keep coming back, have your partner get tested to see if they have an infection too. (You can have a yeast infection without any symptoms). If they have a yeast infection, ask them to get it treated.

• Try to avoid transferring bacteria from your anus to your vagina. If a finger, sex toy, or your partner’s genitals touches your anus, wash them before it touches your vagina.

• Don’t use spermicide if you have recurring yeast infections. Look into other methods of birth control.

How long should you wait for sex after a yeast infection?

There’s no rule saying you have to wait until your yeast infection is gone to have sex. The decision may depend more on whether or not the infection makes intercourse painful or uncomfortable for you. If it does, you may want to wait until it feels better before having sex again. 

You also want to make sure you aren’t going to pass on the yeast infection to your partner. The best way to do this is to wait until your symptoms have gone away and you’ve finished your treatment before having sex. 

How do you treat yeast infections?

Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medication. You can buy antifungal medication over the counter (OTC). It can be in the form of a: 

• Cream

• Ointment

• Tablet

• Suppository

They come in varieties you can take for 1, 3, or 7 days. 

You can also take a prescription oral antifungal pill. You’ll need to see a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis and a prescription.

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Written by:

Alice Oglethorpe

Alice Oglethorpe has been a health journalist for more than 20 years. She worked on staff at Good Housekeeping, Fitness, and Shape magazines before becoming a freelance writer in 2011.

Edited by:

Laurie Tarkan

Laurie Tarkan is a senior health editor for general health and well-being at GoodRx. She has an extensive background in health journalism, and wrote regularly for The New York Times for a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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