How Bad Is It Really to Have Sex With a Yeast Infection?

When it comes to sexy time, some things, like candles, wine and music, are marvelous for setting the mood. But others — like a yeast infection — can put a serious damper on your plans.

In general, dealing with a yeast infection is not ideal. It can be itchy and uncomfortable. However, you may still be wondering: "Is it safe to have sex with a yeast infection?"

Here, Allison K. Rodgers, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn, reproductive endocrinologist and director of education at the Fertility Centers of Illinois, runs down the risks of having sex with a yeast infection and explains why you might want to abstain until you are healed.

If you're thinking of having sex with a yeast infection, here are some issues it may cause.

"This is the main one — ouch," Dr. Rodgers says.

Since your vagina and vulva might already be itchy, sore and/or swollen, the friction created from getting frisky can further irritate the area, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

"You['ll] literally feel like you are holding a flame to your vagina," Dr. Rodgers says. Besides the vaginal burning during sex, you may feel burning when you pee, too.

"You probably won't want anything besides medication near there," she adds.

In addition to redness and swelling, yeast infections can also create little cuts around the clitoris, vaginal opening or vulva, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Penetrative sex of any kind (with a partner or sex toy) already has potential to cause microtraumas, or tiny tears, to the vagina, Dr. Rodgers says.

That means sex can increase the damage already done to the infected (and irritated) tissues of the vagina and vulva, prolonging your symptoms, Dr. Rodgers explains.

The tiny tears or cracks in vaginal tissue from sex (and yeast infections) can elevate risk for catching other types of infections, too.

"Microtrauma to inflamed tissue [may] make you more susceptible to STI's," Dr. Rodgers says. The breaks in your tissue can act as gateways that make it easier for infections to enter, she explains.

To make matters worse, certain topical creams formulated to treat yeast infections contain oil, which can rupture a condom, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And we know when a condom breaks, there's a greater chance of exposure to STIs, and of course, a higher chance of getting pregnant.

While yeast infections aren't considered sexually transmitted infections, per the Mayo Clinic, they can be contagious. That means you can pass the infection to your partner, and then they can pass it back to you, Dr. Rodgers says.

And it's not just penetrative sex that can transmit the infection. It can also be spread through oral sex, Dr. Rodgers says.

"People who are immunocompromised are at a particularly high risk [of becoming infected]," she adds.

"It's possible, but sounds like a bad idea," Dr. Rodgers says.

Wwith itchy, inflamed vaginal tissue, sex is bound to burn and slow your healing process. Plus, you run the risk of passing your infection to your partner or picking up an STI.

For these reasons, "it would be best to wait until your infection has cleared, typically within a week," Dr. Rodgers says.

However, if you and your partner can't wait, "only proceed if you are not in pain, use a condom and make sure both partners wash themselves afterwards," Dr. Rodgers says.

If you start noticing symptoms, Dr. Rodgers recommends trying to treat your yeast infection at home first. "You can start with over-the-counter medications for both the inside and outside of the vagina," she says.

Dr. Rodgers prefers three-day treatments like Monistat 3 ($11.28, Amazon.com). "Sometimes one day is not enough, and seven days is too long," she explains.

To stop the uncomfortable itch, you can also try a drugstore steroid ointment with 1 to 2 percent hydrocortisone, per the Cleveland Clinic.

If symptoms don't improve within a few days, see your doctor, who may prescribe a stronger oral medication called Diflucan, Dr. Rodgers says.

While you technically still can have sex with a yeast infection, it's not advisable. From pain to a longer healing process and higher STI risk, sex with vaginal candidiasis can cause a heap of potential health problems.

Bottom line: It's safer to skip sex until your infection clears. A week or so is worth the wait.