An overgrowth of yeast, particularly Candida albicans, can cause yeast infection. The infection can occur in the mouth, genitalia, and any body part (skin folds) that favors its growth. Typical manifestations are oral thrush, vaginal thrush, and balanitis.
Amongst these, vaginal yeast infections are the most common and frequently occurring in women. In contrast, fewer people may suffer from oral thrush or men with balanitis. Also, balanitis occurs only in uncircumcised men (due to the accumulation of yeast in the folds of penile skin).
So from the above explanation, you may be clear that yeast infections are more common in women than men. However, this does not mean men can’t get such fungal infections. They can get them from their self unhygienic practices and also from their infected sexual partner, i.e., women. But do you know, “ How Fast Can a Man Get a Yeast Infection From a Woman? Read on to explore the unexpected facts about male yeast infections after sex.
A brief answer to this question is “really fast.” Women can transfer their yeast to men in a matter of seconds. But in this terse moment, you only get a few strains of yeast onto your skin or genitals as a result of physical contact. If unhygienic conditions, warmth, or humidity remain, the yeast proliferates indefinitely, which then takes a few days to a week to develop the symptoms, indicating that infection has developed.
Usually, men do not get a yeast infection from an infected woman after oral, anal, and vaginal sex. It is true in cases where people practice protected sex (using condoms or dental dams) or follow after-sex hygienic measures (taking a bath and changing clothes).
Even in the case of unprotected sex, the risk of men getting a yeast infection from women is considerably low; only about 15% of men suffer from penile rash, whereas the remaining proportion safely escapes yeast infection. Sometimes, such untreated penile rash becomes balanitis, particularly in uncircumcised men (yeast infection in the folds of penile skin and head).
Just as an infected woman can cause a yeast infection in men, women can also get such an infection from men. Men with balanitis can cause oral, vaginal, and anal thrush in women after having sex. Also, the vagina and anus are challenging to clean, so the risk of getting such infections is higher in women.
In the case of oral sex (kissing or licking tongue or vagina), men can also get oral thrush; however, the risk is significantly low. Anyhow, repeated contact with an infected woman may enhance the risk of oral thrush. Can you identify if you get an oral thrush? Relax and read on! The symptoms, prevention, and management of oral candidiasis are described in the next section.
Yes, a man can get oral thrush from a woman after cunnilingus or anilingus, particularly if the woman is already suffering from a yeast infection. But because the mouth is easy to clean than the vagina and anus, the risk of such transmission is considerably low. Also, the use of dental dams can reduce the incidence of such germs transfer.
Given this, oral thrush is still not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Also, it is not the only reason people get this infection; numerous other causes of candidosis exist. To make it clear, let’s clear what oral thrush is. Oral thrush, also known as oral candidosis or candidiasis, is a yeast infection notably caused by a few Candida species. It primarily affects the mucus membranes of the mouth and tongue.
It is characterized by white patches on the tongue, gums, and inside cheeks. The infection may also result in redness, burning, cracks at the corner of the mouth, and loss of taste or unpleasant taste. In some patients, these symptoms may aggravate, leading to difficulty swallowing food. Moreover, if left untreated, the infection may spread to other body parts.
Poor oral hygiene, prolonged use of antibiotics and steroidal drugs, and weakened immune system (due to AIDS/HIV/Organ transplantation) may also cause oral thrush. The reasons behind this vulnerability are the inability of the body to fight against the pathogenic yeast and the disruption in the proportion of good bacteria that keeps Candida (naturally resides) in check.
So we can say if the person’s immune system is weak, they should practice protected sex. Moreover, it would be better if they avoid cunnilingus and anilingus if their sexual partner is suffering from a yeast infection. Remember that a woman can also get oral thrush from a man infected with balanitis after fellatio. The symptoms of oral thrush in a woman are the same and require the same precautions, treatment, and management.
It’s unlikely for a man to get a yeast infection from a woman in the bath. However, suppose the woman’s genitals are severely contaminated with a yeast infection. In that case, water can be an efficient medium to pass the germs to the man, particularly during sexual intimacy in the bath. Well, if none are infected, then there is no chance of spreading the infection because Candida typically thrives on the bodies, and our immune system keeps its population in check.
As a rule, showers are always safer than baths. It is particularly true when any of the two sexual partners or both are yeast infected and are treating their infection. Also, it is said not to take a sitz bath with boric acid, apple cider vinegar, Epsom salt, or povidone-iodine longer than 10 minutes while treating your infection.
These risk factors may increase the incidence of someone getting a yeast infection. They may also contribute to spreading a yeast infection faster to another sexual partner.
The following tips will help you from getting or spreading yeast infection to your sexual partner:
Kissing can spread Candida from your partner’s mouth to yours, but that does not always result in oral thrush because the mouth is easy to clean. For oral sex, you can use condoms and dental dams. A man can only develop such an infection if your immune system is weak or if you are on an antibiotic regimen.
Yes, a man can get a yeast infection from a woman through breastfeeding/sucking, mainly if your immune system is weak because Candida thrives on nipples. Likewise, infants can also get the infection from their infected mothers.
A man can take probiotics (found in fermented foods such as cheese and yogurt) to replenish good bacteria that can fight against Candida. Moreover, using coconut oil in meals can help since the oil is almost 50% lauric acid which is effective against yeast. Moreover, maintaining a low sugar level can prevent yeast from proliferation since sugar is food for yeast. Also, using edibles with antifungal and antiseptic properties, i.e., garlic and curcumin, can aid.
Clotrimazole 1% and miconazole 1% are the first-line antifungals for balanitis. For patients with allergies to the stated drugs, nystatin topical creams work best. The total treatment regimen for all these antifungals is 1 to 3 weeks. Sometimes, patients are also given antibiotics where the symptoms of balanitis are due to an STI.
Antifungals can cure oral thrush. These can be topical in gels, pastes, and solutions to be applied inside the mouth or in oral dosage forms, i.e., tablets and capsules. Topical antifungals such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and nystatin work best for mild to moderate thrush. In contrast, oral antifungals can cure severe and invasive infections.
To summarize this article, I must say that yeast infections do spread. Despite the low risk, a man is still at risk of contracting the disease from an infected woman. It takes a few days to a week for a man to develop a yeast infection (oral thrush or balanitis) after physical contact with an infected partner. Therefore, to avoid any uncomfortable happenings, it’s best to avoid sex or sexual intimacy when your partner is infected with Candida. It includes kissing, licking genitalia or tongue, and breastfeeding/sucking cunnilingus and anilingus. Nevertheless, a man can use condoms or dental dams to minimize or eliminate the risk of such germs transmission.
