Are Yeast Infections Contagious?

Because they are described as "infections," people will often wonder: Are yeast infections contagious?

Generally speaking, the fungus—known as Candida albicans —is opportunistic, meaning that you already have it in your body and only develop an infection when your immune system is down. But, Candida can 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 passing Candida from a man to a woman or a woman to a man. Even so, the risk of sexual transmission is considered low.

How Yeast Infections Occur

Yeast infections are caused by a family of fungi called Candida. There are well over 200 types of Candida, of which Candida albicans is by far the most common.

Candida is 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 keep Candida in check, suppressed to a level where it can do the body no harm. When under control, Candida can 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 as candidiasis ). This includes vaginal candidiasis, penile candidiasis, anal candidiasis, and oral candidiasis (also known as oral thrush).

Risk factors for yeast infections include:

• Having a weakened immune system (due to illness or being physically or emotionally exhausted)
• Taking antibiotics (which disrupts the balance of bacteria and yeast in the body)
• Taking hormonal contraceptives (which change the vaginal pH and promote fungal growth)
• Pregnancy (which disrupts the hormonal balance and the vaginal pH)
  
• Having diabetes (which is associated with immune suppression)
• Being immunocompromised (such as due to HIV, organ transplantation, and cancer treatment)
• Taking immunosuppressant drugs (such as corticosteroids like prednisone)

Sexual Transmission of Yeast Infection

Candida is not considered a sexually transmitted infection because it can be caused by things other than sex. Although Candida can be passed sexually, it is a far less common cause of a yeast infection.

When sexual transmission does occur, it can potentially go both ways: A man can pass Candida to a woman, and a woman can pass Candida to 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:

• Antibiotic, steroid, or hormonal contraceptive use
• Vaginal douching (which strips away "good" bacteria from the vagina)
• Having an uncircumcised penis (which provides the ideal environment for yeast)
• Having uncontrolled diabetes

Some studies suggest that having a new sexual partner may also increase the risk.

How Common Is a Yeast Infection From Sex?

Most research suggests that the sexual transmission of Candida is 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 of Candida to 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 of Candida through oral or anal sex, most of the current evidence suggests that such infections are rare.

A 2018 study from Antwerp University in Belgium could find no evidence that oral sex, anal sex, or masturbation can transmit Candida and cause a yeast infection. This is supported in part by a 2014 study from the University of Alabama in which researchers could find no evidence of sexual transmission of Candida among women who have sex with women (WSW).

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 Prevent Getting a Yeast Infection From Sex

As with any infection that can be sexually transmitted, practicing safer sex can help reduce your risk. With Candida specifically, the following measures can help:

• Do not douche before sex.
• Use condoms during vaginal or anal sex.
• Use dental dams and condoms during oral sex.
• Urinate after having sexual intercourse.
• Clean under the foreskin after sex.
• Reduce your number of sex partners.
  
• Avoid sharing sex toys.
• Consider getting circumcised.

It is also important to manage health conditions like diabetes or HIV and avoid sex if you are your partner has a yeast infection.

Summary

Yeast infections typically develop when your immune system is low and a fungus (called Candida albicans) suddenly overgrows. However, Candida can 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.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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By Laken Brooks
Brooks is a freelance writer based in Florida who has a master's degree in English and a focus on accessible book design.

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