Sex and vaginitis 1260x542
27 Mar 2012

Sex and vaginitis

2 mins to read
Working as a Blackmores naturopath, I often get asked questions from women about their vaginal health, especially whether there is a connection between vaginal flora imbalances and sexual activity.


Working as a Blackmores naturopath, I often get asked questions from women about their vaginal health, especially whether there is a connection between vaginal flora imbalances and sexual activity.

So just to be clear, neither bacterial vaginitis (BV) nor vaginal candidiasis (thrush) are considered sexually transmitted diseases. Infection can occur independent to sexual activity, however, sexual activity does seem to increase the risk of developing vaginal flora imbalances.

BV is a pathogenic bacterial overgrowth in the vagina, as opposed to thrush, which is a yeast overgrowth. It usually presents with a thin greyish-white watery discharge that can smell, but may also be symptomless. The occurrence of BV is thought to be higher with new sexual partners and when women do not use contraception, or are engaging in multiple sexual partners, of either sex. Also, the incidence of BV has been shown to be greater for women with a female partner. Treating a male sexual partner does not seem to prevent its reoccurrence, however it is still advised to use safe sex practices.

Thrush can affect many areas in the body, however in the vagina women will often experience a white cottage cheese-like discharge, which can cause irritation and itching. Vaginal thrush may also be influenced by sexual activity, but unlike BV, the number of sexual partners does not to increase the risk of thrush. Although it is not suggested to necessarily avoid sex when you have thrush, it can cause a burning sensation for you and can sometimes cause redness and irritation for the male partner. Also, keep in mind that conventional treatments for thrush can weaken condoms, therefore it is best applied after sex.

To prevent both BV and thrush, health care professionals recommend using contraception when possible, and wash before and after sex. Maintain healthy vaginal flora is an important part of prevention too. This is achieved through maintaining good amounts of healthy lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina, either through supplements or fermented foods, like yogurt.



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