Will wearing a condom protect me from catching a yeast infection? And can men even get yeast infections? -- Telly, 25, Portland, Maine

Although it’s not common, it is possible for guys to get infected with Candida, which is the fungus that causes “yeast” infections.

Candida flourish in warm, moist areas. That’s why yeast infections are far more common in women than in men—roughly 3 out of every 4 women will get a yeast infection at some point in their lives. Wearing a condom will help protect you from yeast infections. But it might also increase the chance that your partner will get a yeast infection. That’s because some women are allergic to latex or the spermicide that some condoms are packaged with. The allergic reaction seems to increase the risk of a yeast infection.

Bottom line: it’s smart to use a condom, not just to prevent yeast infections but to keep you and your partner safe from other, more serious diseases. And if your partner is having any signs of condom sensitivity, experiment with other types of condoms.

Dr. Harry Fisch is a board certified urologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He’s here to answer reader questions in an effort to get guys to “man up about health.”

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