International Society for Sexual Medicine – A yeast infection is the overgrowth of the naturally occurring fungal species, candida, and can occur for a variety of reasons.
Yeast infections often present in the mouth or vagina, and on occasion can grow under the foreskin of uncircumcised penises.
These are quite common in women, with 3 out of 4 reporting at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, usually in women of reproductive age.
Common Symptoms and Causes
Vaginal yeast infections can be quite bothersome, often causing symptoms that may feel similar to some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), despite not being considered as such. You may have a vaginal yeast infection if you are experiencing:
- Thick, white, “cottage cheese” discharge,
- Itching or burning feeling in the vaginal area,
- Redness or swelling around the vulva and vagina,
- Pain during sex,
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating,
- Small cuts or cracks on the skin of the vulva.
Normally, candida overgrowth is the result of non-sexual behavior, such as douching, tight and non-breathable clothing, wearing wet clothes for too long, scented feminine products, soaps, or sprays, and silicone-based lubricants. Additionally, diabetics may be more likely to get a yeast infection if their blood sugar levels are not managed properly.
Generally speaking, yeast infections are not the result of sex, but they could be activated or worsened by sexual activity.
Changes in the vaginal pH from semen, a partner’s pH, condoms, spermicides, lubricants, or other sexual aids can cause this overgrowth of the candida fungus.
If an existing yeast infection is mild or unnoticeable before sexual activity, penetrative sex could irritate the already inflamed vaginal lining. This would then make it seem as though a yeast infection resulted from sex.
Additionally, if a partner has an oral yeast infection, then oral sex may “spread” the candida fungus to the vagina, resulting in a vaginal yeast infection – although this is very unlikely …
