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Gynecologic Health

Sex and Yeast Infections: Is There a Link?

Summary & Participants

Are yeast infections sexually transmitted? Many women think so, but in fact yeast infections almost always appear on their own, with or without sexual activity. Still, some forms of birth control may increase a woman's risk, while others should be avoided during a yeast infection. Tune in as doctors discuss what women should know about yeast infections and sex.

Medically Reviewed On: July 09, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: While sex itself is unlikely to transmit a yeast infection, there is speculation that certain forms of birth control may increase a woman's risk.

DONNA SHOUPE, MD: Oral contraceptives are a risk factor for yeast infections, especially the higher-dose pills. Women who are on a birth control pill may want to move down to the 20 micro g pills if they suffer from recurrent yeast infections.

DAVID ESCHENBACH, M.D: Again because oral contraceptives have an impact on glucose metabolism to some degree and they increase the amount of estrogen, there's a slight correlation between taking oral contraceptives and getting yeast infections. However, we don't really recommend for people who get one or even more yeast infections that they stop their oral contraceptives. Because it's usually not helpful and there's usually many other factors that allow people to get yeast infections, besides the oral contraceptive.

ANNOUNCER: Others argue that it's not birth control pills that are to blame, but rather the effects of unprotected sex on the woman's immune system.

WILLIAM LEDGER, MD: Since we've had the availability of oral contraceptives, what this has meant for most women is that they're exposed to the ejaculate. The ejaculate is a very, very potent immunosuppressing agent. And that's good for pregnancy, but it may not be good for local immune responses to fight off organisms that are there to keep things in order.

ANNOUNCER: Vaginal contraceptions like iud's and diaphragms may also contribute to a woman's risk

DONNA SHOUPE, MD: Certainly any mechanical device that's in the vagina does tend to increase the risk of all vaginitis and this actually includes yeast vaginitis. And those would be IUD, with the IUD string, or the use of diaphragms or the cervical caps. It changes the flora in the vagina and can change the type of bacteria or yeast that grow there.

ANNOUNCER: Regardless of the possible connection between contraception and yeast infections, it's clear that women who do have a yeast infection should be wary of sexual activity while they're treating their condition.

DONNA SHOUPE, MD: It's usually recommended not to have vaginal intercourse while you're on treatment. There is a big problem if you are trying to use a diaphragm or a condom-really more a condom than a diaphragm. For one, it's not comfortable and there's-if you're using a cream, it's certainly very messy, but even more important is some of the oils will interfere with the latex and actually degrade it and so it increases your risk of pregnancy.

DONNA SHOUPE, MD: Women certainly can have sex after using an oral treatment, but it's usually recommended that the infection be cured prior to sexual intercourse, but it's easier after oral rather than vaginal treatments.

ANNOUNCER: Of course, the most important thing for women to remember isn't that yeast infections are not usually caused by sex, but rather that many more serious conditions are. So keep yourself protected, and if you notice anything unusual, see your doctor right away.

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