“Can I Masturbate with a
Yeast Infection?” and Other
Burning Questions

Written by Kathleen Morrison
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways

• Masturbation is generally safe during a UTI, yeast infection, or BV. Just take a few precautions to avoid irritating your symptoms or delaying healing.
• Stick to external stimulation when you have a UTI, and always pee afterward to help flush bacteria from your urethra.
• Keep things clean by washing your hands before and after, and avoid scented lubes, warming gels, or anything that could irritate your already-sensitive bits.
• If you're using a cream or gel treatment for a yeast infection or BV, give it time to work before inserting anything into your vagina.

So you've gotten treatment and are on the mend from some unpleasant vaginal symptoms due to bacterial vaginosis, UTI, or a yeast infection.

You're taking your prescription meds as directed, but now you're starting to feel a different kind of tingle, and you're wondering, "When can I get back to orgasms??"

If you're asking yourself this question, you certainly aren't alone—most of us aren't thinking about getting down when we're in the middle of itchy, painful, or plain uncomfortable symptoms.

But once you start feeling a little better, you're ready to get back to your life, including masturbation. Let's get into some of your most common sex-related vaginal health questions.

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

"Can I masturbate...?"

The short answer? Most likely, yes. But let's explore a few specific scenarios so you can feel relaxed and secure during your next self-pleasure session.

Can I masturbate with a UTI?

If you've been treated for urinary tract infections in the past, you know that UTI antibiotics work fast—typically within 24-48 hours. Taking a dose in the morning probably means you may be feeling much better by dinner time and maybe even ready for a little fun before bed. While masturbation during your UTI treatment is perfectly safe, you may want to err on the side of caution while you're recovering.

Very often, UTIs happen when bacteria enter the urethra during sexual activity, and your risk can increase with penetration or rougher play.

If you decide to masturbate with a UTI, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Prefer external stimulation only: Penetration (fingers, toys, or pressure) can worsen irritation and delay healing of the urinary tract.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after: Good personal hygiene helps manage the risk of introducing new bacteria to the genital area. Clean sex toys thoroughly or avoid them during infection.
• Avoid irritants: Skip saliva, scented lubricants, warming gels, and spermicides. These can irritate your bladder and urethra.
• Use plenty of plain, gentle water-based lubricant: This helps reduce friction and minimize additional irritation.
• Urinate immediately after: Peeing right after helps flush out any bacteria that may have gotten near the urethra.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and after to help dilute your urine when there may be post-stimulation burning
• Expect temporary symptom flare-ups: Stop if pelvic pain significantly worsens or lingers. And, see a doctor if UTI symptoms don't improve after finishing your antibiotic course.

Once you've finished your round of antibiotics, you'll be all set to return to your regularly scheduled programming (always remember to pee after sex and masturbation to help flush out any bacteria and maintain good urinary health)!

Can I masturbate with a yeast infection or with BV?

Yes, it's definitely safe to masturbate when you have a yeast infection or BV (bacterial vaginosis), as long as you take steps not to further irritate your genitals or make your symptoms worse.

Both of these infections are caused by imbalances in your vaginal environment—typically, this means a disruption of your vaginal pH (possibly by sex or lifestyle factors) led to an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. When you're masturbating, you'll want to keep things clean:

• Wash your hands and any toys you use before and after your session (wash your genitals afterward, too).
• Make sure any lube or washes you use are fragrance-free and body safe. Fragrances and flavored lubes and condoms tend to include ingredients that can be irritating and make infections worse.
• If you're using a gel or cream treatment, give it time to work before inserting anything else into your vagina.
• Stay dry once you're done! Moist environments trap bacteria, so once you clean up and dry off, throw on a pair of cotton undies to let things breathe.

Is it ok to masturbate while pregnant?

Ok, this one's a little bit different, but we couldn't let it go unanswered! You should always follow the advice of your OBGYN, but yes, masturbation during a healthy, low-risk pregnancy can be a great way to relieve stress and break through some of pregnancy's unpleasant side effects.

Orgasm is even one popular method of attempting to kickstart labor for a baby who's overstayed their welcome!

How to play safely

Masturbation is one of the safest forms of sex: it's the only form that can guarantee you will not become pregnant or contract an STI when you use proper precautions. But that doesn't mean there aren't other risks you should be aware of! When masturbating, there are a few key tips you can use to make sure your experience stays enjoyable and safe.

• Keep it clean: As we mentioned earlier, washing up before and after your session will help prevent bacteria from causing problems for you later. That includes making sure to wash and disinfect sex toys.
• Be careful when sharing toys: If you have toys you share with a partner or multiple partners (for use together or separately), stick to toys that can be thoroughly disinfected and disinfect thoroughly between sessions to avoid spreading STIs. This typically means sticking to toys that can be washed and/or boiled—waterproof and nonporous materials like pure silicone, metal, and glass are safe bets. Another option is to cover toys with a condom before use!
• Double-check ingredients: Vaginas tend to be very sensitive, and it's always possible that a new product may cause irritation or trigger a yeast infection or BV. If you use lube or condoms during masturbation (and during sex generally!), stick to non-edible and fragrance-free options to avoid health concerns down the line.
• Double-check materials: The materials of your toys are important, too! Materials like metal, borosilicate glass, ABS hard plastic, and pure silicone are non-porous, which means they are easy to clean. Bacteria aren't able to build up on these materials the way they can in porous materials (PVC, jelly, silicone blends, and rubber, to name a few). Using the right lubricant is important as well; avoid silicone-based lubricants with silicone toys.
  

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.