Sexual intercourse can disrupt the natural environment of the genital area, creating a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. In women, this can lead to a vaginal yeast infection or vulvovaginitis. In men, it can lead to a penile yeast infection or balanitis.
But getting a yeast infection after sex isn’t necessarily cause for concern. It’s fairly common and easy to treat with over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or suppositories.
Symptoms
Most people have a yeast infection, or vulvovaginitis, at least once in their life. It happens more often in women, but men can get them, too, in the groin (called balanitis). Yeast infections usually cause itching in the vagina or vulva. The itching gets worse the longer you have an infection. A yeast infection can also lead to a whitish-yellowish vaginal discharge. It may be watery or chunky, and it might smell like cottage cheese. You might also feel pain when you pee, especially if the urethra is involved.
Yeast infections are caused by the Candida fungus, which is a normal part of the healthy mucous membranes that line the genitals. This fungus typically lives in small amounts and doesn’t cause problems, but when too much of it grows, it leads to the symptoms of a yeast infection.
Things that can cause a yeast infection include taking antibiotics, which kill the good bacteria that keep candida in check; being pregnant or having hormones change; and having unmanaged diabetes, because high blood sugar affects how your body uses bacteria. A weakened immune system can also contribute to yeast infections, and so can certain health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer treatment.
Yeast infections can usually be treated with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine that is applied directly to the vagina or vulva. These medicines, which include clotrimazole (Mycozol), Monistat 3, and terconazole, are available in creams, ointments, and suppositories. You can also take an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan).
Diagnosis
A yeast infection is easy to diagnose based on symptoms. A doctor can also examine the genital area and take a sample of vaginal fluid to test for Candida. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments or suppositories that contain clotrimazole or miconazole. If you’re pregnant or have a chronic medical condition such as HIV, your doctor might prescribe an oral antifungal medicine instead.
Yeast infections can affect both the vagina and the penis, although women are more likely to get them in their vaginas. Yeast infections are not sexually transmitted and aren’t caused by sex, but unprotected sex can increase the risk of getting one.
Some things can trigger a yeast infection, such as antibiotic medications, hormonal changes (like the menstrual cycle or hormone replacement therapy), diabetes and weakened immune systems. Yeast infections can also develop when you don’t wipe properly. You should always use clean toilet paper to wipe, and do it from front to back to prevent introducing bacteria into your vagina.
Yeast infections can cause itching, burning or discharge in the vulva or penis. Symptoms usually start within a few days or a week after having sex and may get worse. Yeast infections can be prevented by wearing a condom during sex and washing your genitals after every time you pee or have sex.
Treatment
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. This yeast typically lives in the mucous membranes lining the genitals, and usually only small amounts are present. But certain factors can make yeast overgrow, including antibiotics that kill the good bacteria in the body, pregnancy and diabetes. Yeast infections can also occur in people with weakened immune systems.
If you have a yeast infection, you may experience pain or discomfort during sex. In addition, a yeast infection can cause painful urination because the urethra — which connects from the vagina to the bladder — becomes inflamed. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor so that he or she can diagnose the condition and prescribe a treatment plan.
The most common yeast infection treatment is antifungal medication. This medication comes in the form of pills, creams and ointments that can be purchased without prescription at most drug stores. Yeast infections are often very simple to treat, and you can usually notice a difference in your symptoms within a few days of starting the medications.
However, some OTC treatments may not be as effective as others. Some products also contain oils that can cause condoms to break, which can increase your risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. In these cases, you should talk to a PlushCare doctor by phone or video chat who can advise you on the best course of treatment.
Prevention
While yeast infections can occur from sexual contact, they are not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Yeast organisms naturally inhabit the vagina and penis, but when an imbalance in these bacteria occurs, a yeast infection can develop. Yeast infections are common and 3 in 4 women will experience one at some point in their lives. The infection can be caused by a variety of things, including tight clothing and new laundry detergent that restricts airflow to the area. Yeast also thrives in warm, moist environments and sexual activity can increase the amount of moisture in the genital area.
Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medication, which can be bought without a prescription at most pharmacies. The medicine comes in a variety of forms, including pills, creams and suppositories. If the infection is severe, a doctor will prescribe a longer course of treatment. If you are pregnant, it is important to tell your doctor before taking any medication as they may have an impact on the pregnancy.
Yeast infections are most common in women, and often occur during specific phases of the menstrual cycle due to hormone changes. Women who have a weakened immune system, such as those with diabetes or cancer, are also more likely to get an infection. The condition can also occur in men, but it is more common for them to develop a penile yeast infection, which is usually due to unprotected sex or the use of sex toys.
