Oral Thrush vs. Genital Yeast Infection

[melann04]

I had a very mild yeast infection about 5 months ago (verified by gyno). I treated it, thought it came back and treated it again with OTC meds a month or so later. Last week, my boyfriend went to the dr. and was diagnosed with oral thrush and he was also treated. My boyfriend said the dr. told him he got oral thrush from my vaginal yeast infection through sex (not oral sex because we have not had oral sex in years). My boyfriend said his dr said that he probably first got a male yeast infection that got into his body (systemic) and then caused the oral thrush. My boyfriend had no male yeast infection symptoms ever. I went to my dr. yesterday and he said it was not possible to get oral thrush from a vaginal yeast infection through regular sex. I am desperate for answers. Can someone help me to understand which dr. is correct so I can protect myself and my boyfriend in the future? Also, if my boyfriend has oral thrush and the dr blames my yeast infection could he be dismissing other issues? My boyfriend also has a dental plate he wears during sleep to keep from grinding his teeth, could this be the most likely culprit?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  On the Forum we try to note contradict what our clients' doctors have told them if there is room for an honest difference in opinion.  In this situation however I agree with your doctor and disagree with the information that your BF has been told.  Several points of clarification:

1.  We all have yeast on most of our mucous membranes and from time to time due to a variety of causes, some persons may be at increased risk for getting yeast infections which are actually overgrowth of the yeast that is typically and normally present.
2.  many factors predispose to yeast infection.  these factors include taking systemic antibiotics (we often see yeast in women following antibiotic treatment), diabetes, and foreign bodies (such as your BF's plate)
3.  Rarely persons performing oral sex on a partner with vaginal yeast infections can get thrush.  This is through direct contact and as I said, it is quite rare.
4.  In normal people yeast does not spread through the body from one place to another.  your BF did not get his thrush from the spread of yeast from you to him and then through his bloodstream.

I think you two have ahd a bit of bad luck.  I would not be otherwise concerned.  Hope this helps.  EWH

[melann04]

I forgot to mention that my dr. said I had no yeast infection yesterday and this has not ever been an issue for me. My boyfriend and I are otherwise very healthy....