When can I have sex after a yeast infection?

What do the yeast infection treatment labels say about sex?

The Drug Facts labels for over-the-counter vaginal yeast products are clear. The miconazole (Monistat 3) and clotrimazole 3-day labels on DailyMed both list these under "When using this product":

• "do not have vaginal intercourse"
• "do not use tampons, douches, spermicides or other vaginal products"
• "Condoms and diaphragms may be damaged and fail to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)."
• "mild increase in vaginal burning, itching or irritation may occur"

Why should symptoms be gone before you have sex?

MedlinePlus lists pain with intercourse as a symptom of a vaginal yeast infection, along with itching and burning of the vagina and labia. Tissue that is still inflamed is easy to irritate, so sex before it heals can sting and make soreness last longer.

Finish the whole course even if you feel better early. MedlinePlus says: "Do not stop using these medicines early because your symptoms are better." If you used a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day product, wait until the last dose is done and you are comfortable again.

None of the labels or guidelines give a set number of days to wait after the last dose. Use how you feel as the guide: no itching, no burning, no new soreness.

Can I use condoms with yeast infection cream?

Not reliably. The CDC treatment guidelines say the creams and suppositories used for yeast infections "are oil based and might weaken latex condoms and diaphragms." The over-the-counter labels warn that condoms and diaphragms "may be damaged and fail to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases."

If you need birth control or STI protection during treatment, the safest plan is to not have vaginal sex until you finish. The labels do not say how long the effect on condoms lasts after the last dose. If that matters for you, ask a pharmacist about the specific product you used.

What if I took fluconazole (Diflucan) instead?

Fluconazole is a prescription pill. The usual dose for a vaginal yeast infection is 150 mg as a single oral dose, per the Diflucan label and the CDC guidelines. Because it is a pill and not an oil-based cream, the condom warning for vaginal creams does not apply to it.

The pill still needs time to clear the infection. The same rule applies: wait until your itching and burning are gone before you have sex.

Does my partner need treatment?

Usually not. The CDC says uncomplicated yeast infections are "not usually acquired through sexual intercourse, and data do not support treatment of sex partners." MedlinePlus also says a yeast infection is not spread through sexual contact.

If your partner has their own itching, rash, or irritation, they can get checked. MedlinePlus also notes that condoms help you avoid catching or spreading other infections, which matters if you have a new partner.

When should I see a clinician instead of treating it myself?

The over-the-counter labels and MedlinePlus say to talk to a doctor first, or after treatment, in these cases:

• Your first yeast infection. The labels say "Do not use if you have never had a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed by a doctor."
• Frequent infections. The labels say ask a doctor if you get them often, "such as once a month or 3 in 6 months." The CDC defines recurrent yeast infection as 3 or more episodes in less than 1 year.
• You are or could be pregnant. MedlinePlus says self-treatment fits only if you are not pregnant. The CDC recommends only topical azole treatment, applied for 7 days, in pregnancy.
• Symptoms don't clear. The labels say stop and ask a doctor if symptoms do not get better in 3 days or last more than 7 days. The CDC says people with persistent or recurrent symptoms after treatment should return for follow-up.
• You may have been exposed to an STI, or you are not sure it is a yeast infection.