Can Vaginal Yeast Infection Be Transmitted Through Oral Sex?
No, vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection) is not acquired through sexual intercourse, including oral sex, and routine treatment of sex partners is not warranted. 1
Evidence-Based Rationale
Transmission Characteristics
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. The CDC explicitly states that VVC is not acquired through sexual intercourse, and treatment of sex partners has not been demonstrated to reduce the frequency of recurrences. 1
The route of transmission for vaginal yeast infections is primarily oral (meaning through the gastrointestinal tract and self-inoculation), not through sexual contact. 2
Approximately 10-20% of healthy women harbor Candida species in the vagina asymptomatically, representing normal colonization rather than sexual transmission. 1
Partner Treatment Considerations
Routine notification or treatment of sex partners is not recommended because VVC is not sexually transmitted and partner treatment does not prevent recurrences. 1
The only exception is when male partners develop symptomatic balanitis (characterized by erythematous areas on the glans with pruritus or irritation), in which case they may benefit from topical antifungal treatment for symptom relief only. 1
Important Clinical Distinction
While the provided evidence discusses HPV transmission through oral sex 1, this is an entirely different pathogen from Candida species. HPV can be transmitted through oral-genital contact, but this does not apply to vaginal yeast infections, which have a fundamentally different pathophysiology and transmission pattern.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not confuse VVC with sexually transmitted infections. This misunderstanding can lead to unnecessary partner notification, relationship stress, and inappropriate treatment strategies. 1
Avoid treating asymptomatic partners routinely. Even in recurrent VVC cases, partner treatment is generally not indicated unless the partner has symptomatic balanitis. 1
One older study suggested potential benefit from treating colonized male partners in recurrent cases 3, but this has not been incorporated into standard CDC guidelines, which continue to recommend against routine partner treatment. 1