Is Thrush a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections passed from person to person through sexual contact. Although both the vagina and penis can both be affected by thrush, it is not a sexually transmitted disease. This is a very common misconception, but thrush is very rarely passed on through sexual contact.

Symptoms of thrush and the symptoms of sexually transmitted disease

If you are sexually active and think that you may be suffering from thrush it is always very important to get yourself diagnosed by a medical professional. This is because even though thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, many of the symptoms of thrush are similar to those experienced in various STD’s.


These include;

  • Irritation
  • Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Redness
  • Soreness
  • Swelling

If this is the first time you have experienced any of these symptoms, it is especially important to get yourself checked out. However, if you suffer from reoccurring instances of the infection then it is possible to self-diagnose, as you know what your personal symptoms will be. This could save you lots of time, as thrush treatments are readily available from pharmacists without a prescription. If you do suffer from reoccurring instances however, it may be worth talking to your doctor about it, as this can be an indication to further health issues.

Having sex when suffering from thrush

Although the infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, it is generally recommended by medical professionals that you do not have sex until you have been fully treated and have recovered. This is more for your own health than your partners, as sexual intercourse could prove to be detrimental to the success of the treatment. Many people do not want to have sex when suffering from thrush due to discomfort or perhaps embarrassment, but depending on the severity of your condition, it is completely up to you. Having sex whilst suffering from thrush is a personal decision, and it is important that you understand the potential risks of deterring your treatment from working and the slight chance of passing thrush on to your partner.

The possibility of getting thrush from sexual relations

Although it is not a sexually transmitted disease, it is possible to pass thrush on through sexual acts. If you are suffering from thrush and have sex however, it is not absolutely certain that your partner will develop the thrush infection.

The difficulties with passing thrush to your partner include the times of getting treated and risk of re-infecting each other. Quite often men will not develop any prominent symptoms of the infection, therefore never suspecting they have thrush. If the partner seeks treatment for thrush and is cleared up, then having unprotected sex with the same partner can just lead to a reinfection. This can be frustrating, but if both partners receive a check up and treatment on the discovery of thrush, is easily avoidable and treatable.

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