Can You Have Sex With a Yeast Infection? Yes, But There's More You Should Know

Noticing thick, white vaginal discharge can be alarming, to say the least. When it comes with itching or a burning sensation, it's normal to be confused — and a little worried.

If it's a yeast infection, it's not too big of a deal. Once treated with medication, yeast infections usually clear up within a few days.

But can you have sex with a yeast infection? Technically, yes. Should you, though? Here's why it's wise to wait until the infection passes, what might happen if you do have sex in the meantime, how treatment works, and when to see a healthcare provider.

What is a yeast infection, and how do you get one?

A vaginal yeast infection (vulvovaginal candidiasis, or VVC) is an infection affecting the vagina and vulva. It happens when there's an imbalance of bacteria in the area, allowing yeast (typically a fungus called Candida) to spread.

It's normal and healthy to have some bacteria and yeast on your skin and in your body. But an overgrowth of yeast can lead to an uncomfortable infection.

For what it's worth, yeast infections are relatively common. A 2013 internet panel study published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease looked at surveys from 6,000 women. Between 29% and 49% had been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives. By age 25, 10% of women had experienced at least one yeast infection, and 25% had one by age 50.

Other research published in 2022 by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) estimates that up to three out of four women will get at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lives.

Yeast infection causes: How does this even happen?

So, what causes this imbalance of bacteria? It can be a number of things, like:

• A moist environment: Wearing tight or less-than-breathable clothes (like spandex yoga pants) or hanging out in a wet swimsuit for too long (we've all done it) can create a moist environment that allows for yeast overgrowth.
• Bacterial shifts: A change in bacteria from antibiotic medication could tip the balance and lead to fungal growth.
• Hormone changes: Shifting hormones could make vaginal yeast infections more likely, such as during pregnancy, throughout perimenopause, or when starting a new hormonal birth control.

Do yeast infections spread through sex?

A vaginal yeast infection isn't a sexually transmitted infection (STI). So, it's not usually passed through sex, but having sex could contribute to the bacterial imbalance that leads to a yeast infection.

Is it bad to have sex when you have a yeast infection?

The short answer: maybe.

You generally want to avoid having sex when you have a vaginal yeast infection. Here's what could happen and why it's best to hold off until the infection has passed.

1. Painful intercourse

A yeast infection can come with inflammation. This can leave you with irritation in your vagina. Add the friction from sexual intercourse, and you might experience pain during and after sex.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Women's Health looked at how the inflammation from a yeast infection can make delicate vaginal and vulva tissue more prone to tearing. This might be painful or even lead to light spotting during or after sex.

2. Worsened symptoms

Having sex when you have a yeast infection could make the symptoms worse. Think thick or clumpy discharge, irritation, itching, a burning feeling, or redness and swelling around your vulva.

3. Possible weakened condoms

There's also a chance that the topical treatment for a yeast infection weakens condoms. Some antibacterial creams or ointments contain oil, which could quickly deteriorate the latex to the point where a condom breaks during sex.

4. Misinterpreting an STI for a yeast infection

Another reason to avoid sex? You could think it's a yeast infection when it's really an STI that is passed through sexual activity. While they're sometimes symptom-free, STIs like trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia might cause vaginal burning, along with possible discharge or pain during sex.

It could also be another type of infection that's not transferred through sex, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

5. Complicated yeast infections

An uncomplicated yeast infection is something you might get once in a while, like once a year or less, that has fairly mild symptoms and is easy to treat.

Complicated yeast infections are recurrent, meaning you get three or more in less than a year. They also tend to have more severe symptoms and can be harder to treat. To avoid getting yeast infections every month, you're wise to focus on treatment and hold off on sex until it's totally gone so things don't get worse.

How do you know if you have a yeast infection?

Very mild yeast infections might not have any symptoms. So, based on how common they are, you could have had sex with a yeast infection without knowing it.

The only way to know for sure if you have a yeast infection is with an in-person appointment with a medical professional.

After asking about your symptoms, your provider can do a pelvic exam to check for discharge, inflammation, or swelling. They might get a small sample of the discharge to look at more closely with a microscope (called a wet mount or vaginal smear). Or they may do a culture swab to send off to a lab.

After that, your provider will tell you if you have a vaginal yeast infection or whether something else is going on.

How do you treat a yeast infection?

A vaginal yeast infection can be treated with an over-the-counter cream or ointment you insert into your vagina with an applicator (intravaginally). You can also get a suppository, a small, solid form of medication you insert into your vagina.

Depending on the strength, creams and suppositories can be a one-time treatment or something you use daily for up to two weeks. (Many work within a few days, though.)

Your healthcare provider might recommend a prescription cream, suppository, or oral antifungal medication.

Some people also find that wearing cotton underwear helps with symptoms and may reduce recurrence — the data is mixed, but it's a low-risk thing to try.

How long does a yeast infection take to go away?

How long it takes for a vaginal yeast infection to go away depends on the course of treatment. If it's a three-day treatment (like using a suppository once a day for three days), and your symptoms are gone after the third day, the infection should be gone, and you're probably safe to have sex again.

If it's a seven-day treatment, wait the full seven days, even if your symptoms disappear sooner than that. And if it's a one-and-done treatment, such as a single-dose prescription pill, hold off on sex until your symptoms are totally gone. This might be a few days.

When in doubt, ask your healthcare provider.

When to see a healthcare provider

Again, the only way to find out for sure if you have a vaginal yeast infection is by making an appointment to see a healthcare provider.

An in-person visit can be inconvenient, no doubt, and a pelvic exam probably isn't your idea of fun. Still, it's good to check so you know what you're dealing with and how to treat it.

Even though you can buy antifungal creams over the counter to treat yeast infections, it's best to get a diagnosis first to make sure you're not using the wrong treatment for a different type of infection.

A 2002 time-location survey published in Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluated 95 women who bought an over-the-counter antifungal product for what they thought was a vaginal yeast infection. The researchers found that only about a third of the women actually ended up being diagnosed with one.

If you're dealing with recurrent infections, it's especially important to talk to your provider — recurring yeast infections can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition like diabetes or a compromised immune system, and ruling those out is worth the conversation.

It's probably best to wait until the infection passes

If you think you might have a yeast infection, hold off on sex and go get checked. And if you're already diagnosed with a yeast infection, your best bet is to do the full treatment and wait until your symptoms are gone.

Remember, yeast infections are fairly common. Based on the stats, you might even call it a rite of passage for women. Though a yeast infection can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to deal with, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, and you're not alone.