A yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes inflammation, discharge, and severe itching in the vagina and vulva that surround the vaginal entrance. It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. While it is possible for someone with a yeast infection to have sex, most doctors suggest waiting until the illness has cleared up before engaging in sexual activity.
How long to wait for sex after yeast infection?
Even if you are currently having or have recently completed treatment for a yeast infection, you should wait a few days before heading to the bedroom. Sexual activity may extend the infection, allowing for the recurrence of symptoms. These symptoms could be more severe than they were previously.
If the symptoms are severe and don’t go away easily you should consult a doctor. It is better to not have sex during this time as it exaggerates the infection and may take a lot more time to heal.
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Causes of Yeast Infection
Yeast infections can be caused due to many known-unknown reasons. Candida is a fungus that causes yeast infections. This fungus is found in and on many areas of the human body, including the skin, mouth, and vagina.
Lactobacillus bacteria often keep Candida populations in check in the vagina. A yeast infection may occur if there is a deficiency or imbalance of Lactobacillus to Candida.
Several prevalent causes of vaginal bacterial imbalance include the following:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Increased sugar consumption
- Wearing sweaty clothes or a wet swimming suit for too long can also cause yeast infections. Yeast thrives in warm, moist settings, which your workout gear or wet bathing suit might provide.
- Antibiotics can kill good bacteria in your vagina that help fight infections.
- Scented products: In rare situations, using a new soap or laundry detergent that contains a scent can predispose you to a yeast infection by upsetting your normal pH balance. Similarly, you should keep all douches away from your vagina: Attempting to “clean” yourself internally can result in pH disruption and is completely unneeded.
- Hormone imbalance: Increased estrogen levels caused by pregnancy, the use of estrogen-containing birth control pills, or estrogen hormone therapy can all raise your risk of yeast infections. Excess estrogen can increase glycogen (a stored form of glucose, commonly called sugar) levels in the vagina. Dr. Greves says that yeast craves sugar, which is incredibly relatable and also explains why patients with diabetes who struggle to control their blood sugar levels are frequently at a higher risk of developing yeast infections.
- Having intercourse can also encourage yeast infections, despite the fact that yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted.
- Stress
- A weak immune system: A weakened immune system makes you more prone to yeast infections.
Several factors raise your risk of acquiring a yeast infection. Usually, yeast infections are simple to treat. However, if a person develops multiple, recurring yeast infections, they should consult a physician, as Candida may not be the underlying reason or OTC medications may be ineffective.
Can Sex Cause a Yeast Infection?
Sexual activity is not known to be the main reason for yeast infections. Sexual activity, particularly unprotected sex, may, however, increase your risk of having a yeast infection.
This is because some sexual acts, such as oral sex and penetration of the vagina with a finger, penis, or sex toy, might introduce new microorganisms. This can upset the natural equilibrium of bacteria, resulting in yeast overgrowth.
All You Need to Know About Yeast Infection
Yeast infection is something you should get conscious about. Leaving it untreated may lead to complications. Here’s a brief detail on this.
What is Yeast Infection?
A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that produces inflammation, discharge, and severe itching in the vagina and vulva — the tissues surrounding the vaginal entrance.
Vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, affects up to three out of every four women at some point in their lives. Numerous women have at least two episodes.
A vaginal yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection. The risk of a vaginal yeast infection increases around the time of the first regular sexual activity. Also, mouth-to-genital contact has been linked to illnesses (oral-genital sex).
Medications have been shown to be effective in treating vaginal yeast infections. If you get recurring yeast infections — four or more in a 12-month period — you may require a lengthier treatment course and a maintenance plan.
Symptoms of Yeast Infection
Though you may be all too familiar with the symptoms, it’s really important to get a yeast infection diagnosed by your doctor, especially if this is your first one or if they keep coming back after you treat them. Itching, redness, and discharge from a yeast infection can be caused by bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or even allergies to scented goods.
The best course of action is to consult your gynecologist if you are unsure about your condition or suspect a yeast infection. They can confirm if you have a yeast infection so you can treat it effectively. Some of the symptoms are –
- Irritated and itchy vagina and vulva, plus redness or swelling down there
- Burning while peeing or during sex
- Painful or sore vagina
- Cottage-cheese-like discharge that doesn’t have any smell
- Watery discharge
These symptoms should not be taken lightly rather they should be treated as soon as possible. Having sex while this infection is still there, might be harmful to you and also your partner.
How Long to Wait for Sex After Yeast Infection?
You should wait until your infection has fully gone away to resume vaginal sex or receiving oral sex. Depending on the type of treatment your healthcare provider recommends, the amount of time you need to take antibiotics varies. For example, if your doctor prescribed a 7-day course of antibiotics, you would need to take it for seven days.
When to Seek Medical Attention?
If this is your first yeast infection, consult your physician for an official diagnosis. Yeast infections might present with symptoms similar to those of other vaginal infections.
Your physician may prescribe antifungal medicine such as miconazole (Monistat), butoconazole (Gynazole), or terconazole (Terazol). Numerous of these creams are effective against vaginal or penile yeast infections.
If you’re not sure whether you have a yeast infection or your symptoms aren’t relieved after treating with over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories you should see a doctor.
Diagnosis of Yeast Infection
Thrush may resolve on its own without therapy. However, if the infection does not resolve after treatment, it is critical to contact a doctor to rule out other probable conditions, such as diabetes, which can increase the likelihood of infection.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be necessary.
If the rash is severe, the doctor is doubtful of the diagnosis or suspects an underlying cause, a swab from around the glans penis and behind the foreskin may be sent to the lab for testing.
A biopsy may be performed if there are persistent sores or ulcers that do not heal.
Complications
In rare circumstances, a male with genital thrush who also has impaired immunity may develop invasive candidiasis. This is a fungal infection of the blood, which can result in the spread of the fungus throughout the body.
As a result, it has the potential to impact a variety of organs throughout the body, including the brain, the liver, and the heart.
A systemic infection is one that affects the entire body. According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, a systemic fungal infection can be lethal. Moreover, this is a medical emergency.
Emergency hospitalization protects organs from infection while antifungal medications are used to eradicate it.
Occasionally, when a guy with compromised immunity develops thrush, he may require hospitalization as a precaution.
Among the risk factors are the following:
- infected with HIV
- Having diabetes
- Taking immunosuppressive medications while receiving cancer treatment with high-dose chemotherapy or radiation
- Being on dialysis
- Requiring a central venous catheter (CVC) for medicine
Prevention
You can help prevent a yeast infection following intercourse by:
- Avoid using scented toiletries such as bubble baths, sprays, pads, and tampons.
- During your menstruation, replace tampons and pads frequently.
- Avoid wearing restrictive undergarments or garments made of synthetic fabrics.
- Cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch are recommended.
- As quickly as possible, change out of damp swimwear and exercise attire.
- Do not douche, as this destroys typical vaginal germs.
- Maintaining a dry and clean vaginal area.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to treat your yeast infection with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments such as miconazole (Monistat) or prescription medications. These antifungal drugs are available in one-, three-, or seven-day dosages as creams, ointments, pills, or vaginal suppositories.
It’s best to consult your gynecologist or doctor before attempting any remedies, especially if this is your first time having yeast infection symptoms.
Although many of the symptoms of a yeast infection are also present in other types of vaginitis, the proper treatment for each ailment varies. You want to take medication that has been shown to effectively treat your specific infection.
Nystatin is another topical antifungal. It has numerous brand names, but it is less effective than topical imidazoles.
Clotrimazole, miconazole, and various topical preparations for preventing and treating fungal infections are available for purchase online.
A man who has not had treatment for thrush previously should see a doctor before treating themselves.
Besides this medical treatment, there are home remedies too. Several tips for proper hygiene include the following- wash the penis gently with warm, running water and avoid using aromatic shower gels or soaps on the genitals, since they might irritate the area.
After washing, gently dry the penis and wear loose-fitting cotton underwear to assist keep the genital area dry and cool.
Can You Have Sexual Activity if You Have a Yeast Infection?
If you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection, it is advisable to abstain from vaginal or oral intercourse until the illness has cleared. There are several causes for this:
Pain or Discomfort
A yeast infection is likely to cause a variety of unpleasant or painful sensations, some of which might be exacerbated by the friction experienced during intercourse. In certain instances, having sex while suffering from yeast infection might also result in painful urinating.
Condom Rupture
Certain oils used in topical treatments for yeast infections have been known to rupture condoms. If you rely on condoms for contraception and/or STI prevention, you run the risk of becoming pregnant or contracting an STI.
Transmission of Yeast Infection
Though uncommon, it is possible to transmit your yeast infection to your partner. This risk increases if your partner has a vagina as well.
FAQs
How many days to wait to have sex after yeast infection?
Answer: Depending on your doctor’s advice, this can be anywhere from 1-7 days.
How long to wait for sex after bv treatment?
Answer: After BV treatment, you should wait seven days before having intercourse.
Can a yeast infection spread from person to person?
Answer: It is not contagious. Yeast infections can be carried from person to person during sexual activity, but they are not called STIs because they can occur in non-sexually active persons.
Conclusion
How long to wait for sex after yeast infection has variable answers. While having intercourse while suffering from a yeast infection is doable, there are certain health hazards associated with it.
You must wait for the infection to be cured fully, varying around 1 to 7 days. This time depends on the treatment process and obviously the consultation of the doctor.
