Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Candida?Can You Get It From Sex?PrevelancePrevention Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Candida?
Can You Get It From Sex?
Prevelance
Prevention Tips
Because they are described as “infections,” people will often wonder: Areyeast infectionscontagious?
Generally speaking, the fungus—known asCandida albicans—isopportunistic, meaning that you already have it in your body and only develop an infection when yourimmune systemis down. But,Candidacan still be passed from one person to the next.
While uncommon, yeast infections can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, though it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This includes passingCandidafrom a man to a woman or a woman to a man. Even so, the risk of sexual transmission is considered low.
Eva Blanco / Getty Images
How Yeast Infections Occur
Candidais normally found in the gastrointestinal tract. It can also survive on the skin and mucosal tissues in the mouth or vagina, around the anus, and under the foreskin of the penis.
Under normal circumstances, the immune system can keepCandidain check, suppressed to a level where it can do the body no harm. When under control,Candidacan even be beneficial, aiding in digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
When the immune system is weak, however, the fungus can suddenly overgrow, causing a yeast infection (also known ascandidiasis). This includesvaginal candidiasis,penile candidiasis,anal candidiasis, andoral candidiasis(also known as oral thrush).
Risk factors for yeast infections include:
Causes and Risk Factors for Yeast Infections
Sexual Transmission of Yeast Infection
When sexual transmission does occur, it can potentially go both ways: A man can passCandidato a woman, and a woman can passCandidato a man.
This doesn’t mean that the mere inoculation (introduction) of the fungus is enough to establish an infection. When a yeast infection occurs after sex, it’s usually because the uninfected partner is vulnerable to infection due to factors like:
Some studies suggest that having a new sexual partner may also increase the risk.
Is Thrush Contagious?
How Common Is a Yeast Infection From Sex?
Most research suggests that the sexual transmission ofCandidais associated with vaginal sex and that the female partner is far more susceptible to infection than the male partner.
This may be due to the fact that there is more exposed tissue in the vagina than on the penis. At the same time, circumcised men are unlikely to be affected given that penile yeast infections almost always involve men with foreskins.
This is not to suggest that sexual transmission ofCandidato the male partner is rare. According to the Office of Women’s Health, up to 15% of men will experience an itchy rash on the penis after having sex with a woman with a yeast infection.
In terms of transmission ofCandidathrough oral or anal sex, most of the current evidence suggests that such infections are rare.
However, not all researchers agree. According to a 2019 study from Louisiana State University, nearly 7% of surveyed women reported having oral sex prior to developing a yeast infection.
Some researchers have even suggested shared sex toys as a potential route of transmission for a yeast infection.
More research is needed.
How to Recognize a Yeast Infection
How to Prevent Getting a Yeast Infection From Sex
As with any infection that can be sexually transmitted, practicing safer sex can help reduce your risk. WithCandidaspecifically, the following measures can help:
It is also important to manage health conditions like diabetes or HIV and avoid sex if you are your partner has a yeast infection.
How Yeast Infections Are Diagnosed
Summary
Yeast infections typically develop when your immune system is low and a fungus (calledCandida albicans) suddenly overgrows. However,Candidacan also be passed from person to person during sex. The risk of this is generally low but can increase if you have uncontrolled diabetes, douche, have a weakened immune system, or are on antibiotics.
The risk appears greater in females, but males can get it too, particularly if they have foreskins. Vaginal sex appears to pose a greater risk than oral or anal sex. To be safe, use condoms, avoid douching, reduce your number of sex partners, and avoid sex if you or your partner has a yeast infection.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Behzadi P, Behzadi E, Ranjbar R.Urinary tract infections and Candida albicans.Cent European J Urol.2015;68(1):96–101. doi:10.5173/ceju.2015.01.474Turner SA, Butler G.TheCandidapathogenic species complex.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med.2014 Sep;4(9):a019778. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a019778Basmyciyan L, Bon F, Paradis T, Lapaquette P, Dalle F.Candida Albicansinteractions with the host: crossing the intestinal epithelial barrier.Tissue Barriers.2019;7(2):1612661. doi:10.1080/21688370.2019.1612661Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for candidiasis.Dou N, Li W, Zhao E, Wang C, Xiao Z, Zhou H.Risk factors for candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.Afr Health Sci.doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.10Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Arfiiputri DS, Hidayati AN, Handayani S, Ervianti E.Risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis in dermato-venereology outpatients clinic of Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.Afr J Infect Dis.2018;12(1 Suppl):90–94. doi:10.2101/Ajid.12v1S.13Yano J, Sobel JD, Nyirjesy P, et al.Current patient perspectives of vulvovaginal candidiasis: incidence, symptoms, management and post-treatment outcomes.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:48. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8Farr A, Effendy I, Tirri BF, et al.Guideline: vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k).Mycoses.2021 Jun;64(6):583–602. doi:10.1111/myc.13248Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Grinceviciene S, Ruban K, Bellen G, Donders GGG.Sexual behaviour and extra-genital colonisation in women treated for recurrent Candida vulvo-vaginitis.Mycoses.2018 Nov;61(11):857-860. doi:10.1111/myc.12825Muzny CA, Rivers CA, Parker CJ, Mena LA, Austin EL, Schwebke JR.Lack of evidence for sexual transmission of genital Candida species among women who have sex with women: a mixed methods study.Sex Transm Infect.2014 Mar;90(2):165-70. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051361Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O’Doherty K.A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada.Can J Hum Sex. 2017;26(3):196-204. doi:10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016Planned Parenthood.Is it safe to have oral sex when you have a yeast infection?
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Behzadi P, Behzadi E, Ranjbar R.Urinary tract infections and Candida albicans.Cent European J Urol.2015;68(1):96–101. doi:10.5173/ceju.2015.01.474Turner SA, Butler G.TheCandidapathogenic species complex.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med.2014 Sep;4(9):a019778. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a019778Basmyciyan L, Bon F, Paradis T, Lapaquette P, Dalle F.Candida Albicansinteractions with the host: crossing the intestinal epithelial barrier.Tissue Barriers.2019;7(2):1612661. doi:10.1080/21688370.2019.1612661Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for candidiasis.Dou N, Li W, Zhao E, Wang C, Xiao Z, Zhou H.Risk factors for candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.Afr Health Sci.doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.10Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Arfiiputri DS, Hidayati AN, Handayani S, Ervianti E.Risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis in dermato-venereology outpatients clinic of Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.Afr J Infect Dis.2018;12(1 Suppl):90–94. doi:10.2101/Ajid.12v1S.13Yano J, Sobel JD, Nyirjesy P, et al.Current patient perspectives of vulvovaginal candidiasis: incidence, symptoms, management and post-treatment outcomes.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:48. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8Farr A, Effendy I, Tirri BF, et al.Guideline: vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k).Mycoses.2021 Jun;64(6):583–602. doi:10.1111/myc.13248Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Grinceviciene S, Ruban K, Bellen G, Donders GGG.Sexual behaviour and extra-genital colonisation in women treated for recurrent Candida vulvo-vaginitis.Mycoses.2018 Nov;61(11):857-860. doi:10.1111/myc.12825Muzny CA, Rivers CA, Parker CJ, Mena LA, Austin EL, Schwebke JR.Lack of evidence for sexual transmission of genital Candida species among women who have sex with women: a mixed methods study.Sex Transm Infect.2014 Mar;90(2):165-70. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051361Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O’Doherty K.A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada.Can J Hum Sex. 2017;26(3):196-204. doi:10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016Planned Parenthood.Is it safe to have oral sex when you have a yeast infection?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Behzadi P, Behzadi E, Ranjbar R.Urinary tract infections and Candida albicans.Cent European J Urol.2015;68(1):96–101. doi:10.5173/ceju.2015.01.474Turner SA, Butler G.TheCandidapathogenic species complex.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med.2014 Sep;4(9):a019778. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a019778Basmyciyan L, Bon F, Paradis T, Lapaquette P, Dalle F.Candida Albicansinteractions with the host: crossing the intestinal epithelial barrier.Tissue Barriers.2019;7(2):1612661. doi:10.1080/21688370.2019.1612661Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for candidiasis.Dou N, Li W, Zhao E, Wang C, Xiao Z, Zhou H.Risk factors for candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.Afr Health Sci.doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.10Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Arfiiputri DS, Hidayati AN, Handayani S, Ervianti E.Risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis in dermato-venereology outpatients clinic of Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.Afr J Infect Dis.2018;12(1 Suppl):90–94. doi:10.2101/Ajid.12v1S.13Yano J, Sobel JD, Nyirjesy P, et al.Current patient perspectives of vulvovaginal candidiasis: incidence, symptoms, management and post-treatment outcomes.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:48. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8Farr A, Effendy I, Tirri BF, et al.Guideline: vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k).Mycoses.2021 Jun;64(6):583–602. doi:10.1111/myc.13248Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16Grinceviciene S, Ruban K, Bellen G, Donders GGG.Sexual behaviour and extra-genital colonisation in women treated for recurrent Candida vulvo-vaginitis.Mycoses.2018 Nov;61(11):857-860. doi:10.1111/myc.12825Muzny CA, Rivers CA, Parker CJ, Mena LA, Austin EL, Schwebke JR.Lack of evidence for sexual transmission of genital Candida species among women who have sex with women: a mixed methods study.Sex Transm Infect.2014 Mar;90(2):165-70. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051361Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O’Doherty K.A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada.Can J Hum Sex. 2017;26(3):196-204. doi:10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016Planned Parenthood.Is it safe to have oral sex when you have a yeast infection?
Behzadi P, Behzadi E, Ranjbar R.Urinary tract infections and Candida albicans.Cent European J Urol.2015;68(1):96–101. doi:10.5173/ceju.2015.01.474
Turner SA, Butler G.TheCandidapathogenic species complex.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med.2014 Sep;4(9):a019778. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a019778
Basmyciyan L, Bon F, Paradis T, Lapaquette P, Dalle F.Candida Albicansinteractions with the host: crossing the intestinal epithelial barrier.Tissue Barriers.2019;7(2):1612661. doi:10.1080/21688370.2019.1612661
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for candidiasis.
Dou N, Li W, Zhao E, Wang C, Xiao Z, Zhou H.Risk factors for candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.Afr Health Sci.doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.10
Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
Arfiiputri DS, Hidayati AN, Handayani S, Ervianti E.Risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis in dermato-venereology outpatients clinic of Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.Afr J Infect Dis.2018;12(1 Suppl):90–94. doi:10.2101/Ajid.12v1S.13
Yano J, Sobel JD, Nyirjesy P, et al.Current patient perspectives of vulvovaginal candidiasis: incidence, symptoms, management and post-treatment outcomes.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:48. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8
Farr A, Effendy I, Tirri BF, et al.Guideline: vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k).Mycoses.2021 Jun;64(6):583–602. doi:10.1111/myc.13248
Morris BJ, Krieger JN.Penile inflammatory skin disorders and the preventive role of circumcision.Int J Prev Med. 2017;8:32. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_377_16
Grinceviciene S, Ruban K, Bellen G, Donders GGG.Sexual behaviour and extra-genital colonisation in women treated for recurrent Candida vulvo-vaginitis.Mycoses.2018 Nov;61(11):857-860. doi:10.1111/myc.12825
Muzny CA, Rivers CA, Parker CJ, Mena LA, Austin EL, Schwebke JR.Lack of evidence for sexual transmission of genital Candida species among women who have sex with women: a mixed methods study.Sex Transm Infect.2014 Mar;90(2):165-70. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051361
Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O’Doherty K.A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada.Can J Hum Sex. 2017;26(3):196-204. doi:10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016
Planned Parenthood.Is it safe to have oral sex when you have a yeast infection?
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