sex and yeast infections

[spokenonlyonce.livejournal.com]

I know that if you have a yeast infection you shouldn't have sex, because you can give it to your partner and he can give it back to you. But is this still true if you are using condoms?

Comments

[femmefaeryvixen.livejournal.com]

No, condoms generally protect against the sexual tranmission of thrush. If it something that you are planning on doing, be warned that intercourse whilst you have a YI can be uncomfortable.

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

This link (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Yeast_Infection#Is_it_OK_to_have_sex_while_I.27m_treating_my_yeast_infection.3F) from our Vulvapedia doesn't specifically address the ability of YIs to be passed back and forth between partners during intercourse with condoms, but it does say that most doctors recommend against intercourse during YIs/YI treatment.

However, if if you do go ahead with intercourse, it may be important to note that some people argue that yeast infections can in fact be caused or made worse by insufficiently lubricated intercourse (using silicone lubes that are free of glycerin and sugars helps!). Additionally, condoms containing nonoxynol-9 can aggravate or cause yeast infections.

[geminigirl]

It's also important to note that the usual commercially available yeast preparations like Monistat often contain ingredients that can weaken or damage latex condoms, and as such, contain warnings against using the two together.

[rustleofswing.livejournal.com]

I never heard this before! If I use a treatment such as Monistat on a Friday, and then had sex on Sunday with a condom, would I be protected?

[racheypoo.livejournal.com]

Sex can really hurt during a yeast infection. I know how painful it was for me when I tried!

[mizzpyx.livejournal.com]

He almost certainly won't get it from you, but the friction from sex can both aggravate the thrush that's there, and the movement can spread it to other areas. Both things that you really don't want! (for example- yeast growing RIGHT on the clit is possibly the most horrendously uncomfortable and irritating thing I've experienced, which was definately caused by Ill-Advised Sex. Owch.)
I really would recommend having as little contact as possible with any bits that are in the least bit yeasty until the yeast is gone.

[kaelstra.livejournal.com]

It'd probably protect you (unless the yeast spread to the outside of the genitals, and got around the condom's protected area), but as others have pointed out-it will irritate already tender vaginal walls, and prolong the healing/treatment process.

Personally, I don't understand all these women who want to have sex while they have a Yeast infection. D: Seriously, it's the LAST thing on my mind.

[viellen]

I did a little hunting and this is what I found:

Go Ask Alice says: "Condoms are an effective barrier against the transmission of a yeast infection with "perfect" use, meaning correct and consistent use."

About.com says: "...if you do have sex, using a condom will help prevent transmission of yeast infections..." (though I'm not too keen on this article--it's a little weak).

And Tapestry lists using condoms as a way to prevent YI's.

So it seems like many sources are saying that condom use could prevent sexually transmitting YIs, but it's not 100% effective.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

wooooooooo Tapestry!! :)

[viellen]

Hehe, I thought you'd like that one ;)

[eclare.livejournal.com]

Well, it's possible, depending on how really yeastie it is. But not likely. However, the irritation from the sex will cause the yeast infection to take longer to go away.

[sand-woman.livejournal.com]

Depends whereabouts the yeast is and what sexual activity you are engaging in. If the yeast is only in the vagina and not on the outer labia, and prior to penetration protected by a condom no touching of the area takes place, then I would agree that it probably does protect. But for every other kind of sex (and most sex does involve foreplay, and counter-touching!) I wouldn't consider it to protect. I would consider sex to be an undesirable irritant, as people have mentioned.

It might be worth pointing out from personal experience that my boyfriend got what we believe was a yeast infection (cleared up through natural remedies) when we thought I was better after mine, and we used a condom. It seems a bit of a coincidence for him to have got one at random, when he hasn't had one before.

[earthsprite.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of curious about that. What symptoms did your partner have? I know I'm getting a YI when my boyfriend tends gets tiny red dots on the head of his penis that do not pain him at all. A day or two later it peels away. He is very clean (he showers every day, washes his foreskin with soap and wipes it down), so is it even possible that he can "carry" the yeast in such a dry area?

[sand-woman.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I don't remember in that level of detail - it was about five years ago now (this comment is four years old - I was very confused for a moment) and since he's not my boyfriend any more I'd feel awkward asking.

[earthsprite.livejournal.com]

Darn. Sorry for the necrothread :(.