Are yeast infections contagious? Most women get a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, especially the ones with active sex life. Vaginal yeast infection can cause itching, burning during urination, white discharge, and pain in the lower abdomen. Yeast infection can be prevented by drinking lots of water, cranberry juice and maintaining personal hygiene. But if none of the home remedies work, it is advisable to visit a doctor for mediation. Major yeast infections can in some cases cause serious health issues too, it is imperative to always take a doctor’s advice in such cases.
What is A Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Vaginal yeast infection is also known as candidiasis is quite common in women. A vagina contains yeast and bacteria cells and when the balance between the two changes and the number of yeast cells increases, it causes itching swelling, and irritation.
Symptoms
Symptoms that indicate the vaginal yeast infection are itching and swelling around the vagina, burning during urination, painful sex, redness, and rash. The white discharge may also be witnessed because of this infection. The infection severeness solely depends upon the symptoms.
Causes
Several factors can cause yeast infection such as:
- Antibiotics
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Weak immune system
- Poor eating habits
- Hormonal imbalance
- Sleeplessness
Can a Woman with Yeast Infection Indulge in Sex?
Vaginal yeast infection is majorly common in sexually active women. Though it is possible to have sex with the infection, it can extremely painful and has other health risks too. Doctors usually advise avoiding sex if a woman has a yeast infection until the time the infection gets cleared. Indulging in sex with the infection can result in an infection staying for longer and the symptoms too can get worse. Hence it is better to stay away from sex while on the vaginal infection. One of the common questions that arise here is, can a yeast infection be transferred from a woman to her man through intercourse? Let’s find out.
Can A Yeast Infection be Transmitted to the Male Partner During Sex?
Though it is always advised to not have sex while a woman has a yeast infection, some couples still do. Yeast infection CAN be transferred to the male part during intercourse. Though the chances are small, it is possible. Medically, men hardly get a yeast infection in their lifetime. But having sex with a woman with a yeast infection takes them to the edge of getting an infection themselves. It is imperative to keep in mind that yeast infection is not a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) so it is not a major worrisome issue. Using condoms is one of the ways to avoid the transmission of yeast infection. It is better to take prevention than regret later.
Result of sex on the treatment
Women who indulge in sex while on the treatment for yeast infection can face a few problems. Intercourse while on treatment can slow down the process of healing. And if the man catches yeast infection due to woman, there is a chance that the infection may move back and forth. Hence, it is advisable to avoid sexual activity while you are on the medication for curing yeast infection. Once the treatment is complete and the symptoms are gone, a woman can get back to her regular sex life.
Though a vaginal yeast infection is a common problem that women have, it is not that big deal to worry about. But certainly, there are some precautions to take while your vagina is still infected, one of which is not to have sex. Some mild yeast infections do get better on their own, while others need treatment. Vaginal yeast infection can be transferred from one partner to the other so it is important to keep yourself and your partner safe and not have sex at that time.
Also Read: Vaginal Care: 5 Quick Steps