Oral sex can be fun and intimate when done safely. Having open conversations with your partner and using condoms or dental dams can make the experience better for both partners.
Thrush is a common yeast infection that can be easily treated with over-the-counter meds. Unfortunately, oral sex can cause a vaginal yeast infection in some people.
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Yeast is a common fungus that lives naturally in the mouth, skin folds, belly button, anuses, and penis. If too much yeast grows, it can lead to a vaginal infection or candidiasis. Yeast infections can also spread between partners in the form of oral thrush, which causes itching, white patches, and sores in the mouth. It’s important for couples to use condoms or dental dams when engaging in oral sex, as this can help prevent the transmission of a yeast infection from one partner to the other.
It’s also a good idea for people to talk openly with their sexual partners about any itching, pain, or discharge they may be experiencing in order to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. People with a yeast infection or thrush should also let their doctors know when they start taking antibiotics, as these drugs can change the balance of bacteria in the body and increase the risk of an overgrowth of yeast.
A yeast infection can be diagnosed by a health care provider, who will give you a pelvic exam and take a sample of your discharge to look at under a microscope. You can learn more about how to identify a yeast infection and other conditions that can have similar symptoms on the patient-centered offshoot of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.
Thrush
Thrush is an overgrowth of the Candida fungus that normally lives in our mouths. However, oral sex can also introduce this fungus to the vagina and penis, where it can cause a yeast infection. Oral sex can even transfer thrush to another person, although this is very rare. People typically get thrush by eating foods that are high in sugar or by using unwashed toothbrushes, but it can also be caused by infections, such as genital herpes, cancer, or diabetes.
Yeast infections can be very unpleasant, and they can make it harder to have sex. They can cause itching, burning, discharge, and other symptoms. It is best to use condoms and dental dams when having sex, and people should let their sexual partners know if they have an infection, so they can take precautions too.
It is also important to practice good hygiene, and this includes wearing breathable underwear and avoiding scented detergents and soaps. Finally, people can reduce their risk of yeast infections by practicing safe sex practices and by consuming probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that can help keep the balance of candida in our bodies in check. These are available as supplements and in many foods, including yogurt and kombucha. Practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly for STIs can also help reduce the risk of yeast infections.
Transmission
Though it is possible to spread yeast infections through oral sex, it’s not as common as vaginal or anal sex. Most of the time, when someone has a yeast infection, they just have it in their own body. It’s also not as easy to pass on as STIs like HIV or chlamydia, because the Candida overgrowth usually happens in the mouth, and saliva contains enzymes that neutralize “helpful” bacteria that control the candida levels.
Oral sex does, however, introduce bacteria and Candida from your mouth, tongue, and gums to your vulva, which increases your risk for a yeast infection. This is why it’s important to always use protection during oral sex, such as condoms or dental dams. You can also prevent yeast from spreading between your orifices by washing your hands before and after sex, and keeping your sex toys like dildos, vibrators, and butt plugs clean.
Practicing good hygiene, practicing sexual protection, and communicating with your partner are the best ways to stay healthy during oral sex. Taking probiotics, which are full of helpful bacteria, and eating a well-balanced diet can help keep your candida levels in check. If you do get a yeast infection, over-the-counter antifungal creams and suppositories can treat the symptoms. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and finish the entire course of treatment to prevent recurrence.
Treatment
The mouth and genital area are home to a variety of bacteria, both good and bad. An overgrowth of the fungus Candida can disrupt this natural balance, and yeast infections result. Sexual activity, such as oral sex and penetration with a penis or sex toy, can introduce new bacteria into the vagina and trigger an overgrowth of yeast.
Oral sex can also cause the yeast to spread into the mouth, causing thrush. Thrush symptoms are very similar to those of a yeast infection, including itchy mouth and throat. It is best to avoid oral sex until a yeast infection has cleared up, especially after using antibiotics.
Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories. A healthcare provider can also prescribe a stronger medication to clear up the yeast infection more quickly. It is important to follow the instructions on the medication closely, and to finish the full course, even if the symptoms disappear before the medication is finished.
Some ways to prevent a yeast infection include wearing breathable underwear, avoiding perfumed soaps and deodorants, and taking a probiotic supplement. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help many body functions, from preventing yeast infections to helping with digestion. They can be found in yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, and other fermented foods. It is also important to use protection during sex and to avoid abrasive sexual activities, like finger penetration or foreplay.
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