Can condoms cause yeast infections? Separating myths from facts

No. Condoms don’t cause thrush, which is often called a yeast infection. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida, which normally lives on the body without causing problems. Things like antibiotics, pregnancy or diabetes that isn’t well controlled can let it grow and cause symptoms.

Thrush isn’t classed as an STI. Sex can sometimes trigger it, and less often it can be passed on during sex.

What a condom can do is irritate the skin of some people. A reaction to latex, or to a lubricant or spermicide, can cause itching and soreness that feel a lot like thrush. And because irritated or damaged skin makes thrush more likely, a reaction can sometimes lead to thrush too.

You’re more likely to get thrush if:

• your skin is irritated or damaged
• you’re taking antibiotics
• you have diabetes that isn’t well controlled
• you have a weakened immune system, for example because of HIV or chemotherapy
• you’re pregnant or having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• you use products that irritate the skin, such as perfumed soaps, bubble baths or vaginal washes

Thrush is very common: about 3 in 4 women get it at least once in their life. Men can get it too, usually on the head of the penis and under the foreskin. Read more in “What does a male yeast infection look like?”

Some people react to latex, or to something in a lubricant or spermicide. UK guidance on vulval skin problems lists condoms, lubricants and spermicides among the products that can irritate the skin. A reaction can cause itching, redness and soreness where the product touched the skin.

This can feel like thrush, but thrush often also causes a white discharge, like cottage cheese.

If you have a latex allergy, don’t use latex condoms. Condoms are also made from other materials, such as polyisoprene and polyurethane, so there are latex-free options that still protect you from STIs and pregnancy.

If a lubricant stings or makes you itch, stop using it and try a gentle, water-based lubricant without perfume.

Don’t use oil-based products, such as Vaseline, baby oil or hand cream, with latex condoms, as they can damage the latex. Use a water-based or silicone-based lubricant instead.

If you’re treating thrush with a cream or pessary, don’t use latex condoms, as antifungal medicines can damage latex. The NHS says condoms and diaphragms may not work as well for at least 5 days after you finish clotrimazole treatment, so they might not protect you from pregnancy or STIs during that time.

Thrush usually causes:

• itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
• a white discharge, often like cottage cheese, that doesn’t usually smell
• soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee

Some STIs and other infections can cause similar symptoms:

• Trichomonas can cause a yellow or green discharge that may be frothy or smell fishy, with soreness and itching.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) usually causes a thin, grey or white discharge with a strong fishy smell, but not usually itching or soreness.
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can cause an unusual discharge, pain when you pee and bleeding between periods or after sex.
• Herpes causes small blisters that burst to leave painful sores.

If your symptoms don’t match thrush, if it’s your first time, or if thrush treatment hasn’t worked, get checked. Read more in “Thrush or STI: how to know the difference”

You’ll find a lot of advice about thrush online. Here’s what UK guidance says:

• Probiotics and live yoghurt: there isn’t enough evidence that probiotics, taken by mouth or put in the vagina, prevent or treat thrush.
• Cutting out sugar: there’s no evidence that changing your diet, including cutting down on sugar or yeast, prevents thrush. If you have diabetes, though, keeping it well controlled lowers your risk.
• Treating your partner: partners don’t need treatment unless they have symptoms too.
• Avoiding sex: you don’t need to avoid sex because of thrush, as it isn’t an STI, but you may want to wait until it clears if sex is uncomfortable.

What does help is looking after the skin. Wash with water and an emollient instead of soap or shower gel, dry properly after washing, wear cotton underwear, and avoid tight underwear or tights.

Thrush usually clears up within 7 to 14 days of starting antifungal treatment. If you’ve had thrush diagnosed before and recognise the symptoms, you can buy treatment from a pharmacy.

If thrush keeps coming back, more than 4 times in 12 months, see a doctor. You may need to take treatment for longer, up to 6 months. Read more in “How long does a yeast infection last?”

A doctor can diagnose thrush from your symptoms or by taking a swab. If your symptoms could be caused by an STI or BV, testing is the only way to know.

Better2Know offers:

• Comfort Screen: a urine test for anyone with discomfort or unusual discharge. It tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Trichomonas, Gardnerella, Herpes 1, Herpes 2, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days (3 days for the home test). You can book it at one of our clinics or order a Comfort Screen home test.
• Bacterial Vaginosis: a vaginal swab test for BV at our clinics, with results in 4 days.
• Platinum Screen: our most comprehensive STI screen. It tests for 12 infections, including HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as well as the 8 infections in the Comfort Screen, from 28 days after sex, with results in 3 days.

These tests don’t check for thrush itself. Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Can you get thrush from your partner?

Thrush isn’t classed as an STI, but it can sometimes be passed on during sex. Partners only need treatment if they have symptoms.

Can you use condoms while you have thrush?

You can, but not latex ones while you’re using antifungal medicine on or around your genitals, as it can damage the latex. Latex condoms and diaphragms may not work as well for at least 5 days after you finish clotrimazole treatment.

Can lube cause thrush?

Lube isn’t a known cause of thrush, but some products can irritate the skin, and irritated skin makes thrush more likely. If a lubricant stings, switch to a gentle, water-based one.

Is itching after sex always thrush?

No. Itching after sex can be caused by irritation from condoms, lubricants or friction, or by an STI such as Trichomonas or Herpes. Read more in “Why am I itchy after sex?”

Condoms don’t cause thrush, but a reaction to latex, spermicide or a lubricant can irritate your skin and cause symptoms that feel like it. Thrush itself is common, easy to treat and isn’t an STI.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, or you’ve had sex without a condom with a new partner, get tested. Book a Comfort Screen at a clinic near you or order a home test kit. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article originally appeared on 12 April 2024 and was last updated on 30 September 2026.

Medical review. This article was medically reviewed by Dr Steve Chapman, Doctor with a wealth of clinical experience in the field of STIs, on 2 October 2025. It is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

Sources

1. NHS, Thrush in men and women, reviewed 28 July 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
2. NHS inform, Thrush, updated 1 June 2023. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/thrush/
3. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, National guideline for the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis, 2019. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/vvc_ijsa_pdf.pdf
4. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions, 2024. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/bashh_vulval_guidelines_2024.pdf
5. NHS, Condoms, reviewed 26 January 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/condoms/
6. NHS, Clotrimazole, reviewed 8 July 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clotrimazole/
7. NHS, Vaginal discharge, reviewed 15 February 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-discharge/
8. NHS, Bacterial vaginosis, reviewed 19 June 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/
9. NHS, Trichomoniasis, reviewed 16 July 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trichomoniasis/
10. NHS, Chlamydia, reviewed 24 October 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/
11. NHS, Gonorrhoea, reviewed 16 December 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gonorrhoea/
12. NHS, Genital herpes, reviewed 27 June 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-herpes/