A yeast infection after sex can happen, but there’s no specific timeline for when symptoms will appear. Although Candida can be passed through sexual contact, a vaginal yeast infection after sex is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is not always caused by sexual activity.
The Candida fungus that causes yeast infections naturally lives on the skin and in areas such as the vagina, mouth, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A yeast infection develops when something allows this fungus to grow too much and upset the body’s natural balance.
Yeast infections are more common in women who are sexually active, but sex is not the only cause. Other factors that can raise the risk include using estrogen-containing birth control, pregnancy, obesity, and conditions that affect the immune system.
The main symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include itching or burning in the vagina, thick white vaginal discharge, pain or discomfort during sex or when urinating, and redness in the genital area.