Pain During Sex With a Yeast Infection: What to Know

Pain during sex can happen with a yeast infection because inflamed, irritated tissue becomes tender when touched or stretched. Burning, itching, redness, swelling, or small surface cracks can add to the discomfort. Pain should start to settle as the infection and inflammation improve; pain that continues, returns, or feels deep in the pelvis may have another cause.

Yeast-related pain is often felt at the vaginal opening or on the vulval skin, especially with penetration. The tissue may feel raw after sex, and friction can worsen irritation while it is healing. A yeast infection does not explain every episode of painful sex. Deep pain, unusual discharge or odour, bleeding after sex, sores, urinary symptoms, or pelvic pain can point to a different problem or more than one problem at once. Conditions such as vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause can also be assessed when the pattern does not fit a simple yeast infection.

Pause penetration and any activity that causes burning or rubbing until the area feels comfortable. Keep the vulval skin dry, wash gently with water or a fragrance-free cleanser, and avoid douching, scented products, and tight clothing. Use the antifungal treatment recommended for you and follow its directions; do not keep repeating treatment if symptoms are not improving, because irritation, another infection, or a skin condition may need a different approach. If sex is comfortable later, a plain water-based lubricant can reduce friction. Do not use sex as a test of whether the infection has cleared.

Arrange a medical assessment if this is your first suspected yeast infection, the pain is severe, symptoms are not improving with recommended treatment, or painful sex keeps returning. Seek prompt care for fever, worsening lower-abdominal or pelvic pain, vomiting, faintness, sores or blisters, heavy bleeding, or feeling acutely unwell. Get checked if you are pregnant, have diabetes or a weakened immune system, or could have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. A clinician may examine the skin and vagina and test a sample when the diagnosis is uncertain.

You could ask: Could the pain be from yeast, another infection, or a vulval skin condition? Does the location of the pain change what should be tested? Should my partner be assessed? When is it reasonable to resume sex? What should I do if the symptoms return after treatment?