Oral Sex, Beer, And Yeast Infections: What's The Link?

Drinking beer and oral sex are two things that many people enjoy, but can they cause yeast infections? Yeast infections are a common problem, affecting 3 in 4 women at some point. They are caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called candida albicans, which occurs when the healthy bacterial balance in the vagina is disrupted.

Oral sex can introduce bacteria from a partner's mouth into the vagina, creating an opportunity for candida to grow. Additionally, drinking beer may increase the risk of yeast infections as it contains live yeast and sugar, which feeds the yeast in the body. However, there is limited research on the direct link between drinking beer and performing oral sex, and the subsequent risk of yeast infections.

While it may not be a direct cause, alcohol can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections like thrush. It can also affect blood sugar levels and damage the liver, creating an environment where yeast infections can thrive.

So, while enjoying a beer and oral sex may not directly cause yeast infections, maintaining good vaginal health and being mindful of alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of developing infections.

Oral sex can introduce bacteria and candida into the vagina, triggering an overgrowth

However, due to our modern diet of highly processed sugar, exposure to environmental toxins, and a sedentary lifestyle, the opportunistic candida can overgrow and destabilize the balance of the gut microbiome. This is when candida overgrowth occurs. Oral sex can introduce new bacteria and candida into the vagina, creating an opportunity for candida to grow more quickly than it normally would.

Candida overgrowth damages the gut lining, causing it to become leaky. When the gut is leaky, toxins, microbes, proteins, and partially digested food particles that shouldn't be there can get into the bloodstream. This triggers an inflammatory response from the immune system, which sends more antibodies to fight off these foreign invaders, inducing more inflammation. Introducing oral sex into the mix can hinder the immune system's response and make the candida more opportunistic.

Additionally, candida overgrowth can be caused by a round of antibiotics killing too many friendly bacteria or a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar, which feeds the candida. High alcohol intake, especially beer, can also cause candida overgrowth. Beer is a fermented product, and while most of the yeast is converted to alcohol, much of the live yeast remains. This means that every time you drink beer, live yeasts are being added to your digestive tract, which is already brimming with them.

Furthermore, beer is full of sugars that feed the yeasts, creating an ideal environment for candida overgrowth. The sugars in beer can cause a short-term spike in blood glucose levels, and increased glucose levels alter the balance and encourage pathogens such as candida to proliferate. Overall, oral sex, especially when combined with alcohol consumption, can introduce bacteria and candida into the vagina, triggering an overgrowth and potentially leading to a yeast infection.

Drinking beer can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off thrush and other infections

The gut is home to 80% of the immune system, and alcohol disrupts the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome. This disruption is called dysbiosis, and it occurs when the delicate balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted by disease or environmental factors. Adding alcohol to the mix further disrupts the gut microbiome and suppresses the immune system, giving the opportunistic Candida room to overgrow.

Alcohol also stresses the adrenal glands, which play a significant role in fighting Candida. Drinking large quantities of alcohol lowers blood glucose levels, prompting the adrenal glands to produce the stress hormone cortisol. This exhausts the adrenal glands, and optimal adrenal gland function is essential for making hormones that regulate metabolism and communicate with other organs such as the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system.

Furthermore, alcohol can damage the liver, which is responsible for filtering out toxins in the bloodstream, including alcohol. The liver metabolises alcohol at a rate of 20 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) per hour. The longer alcohol stays in the body, the more effect it has on Candida overgrowth.

In summary, drinking beer can weaken the immune system by disrupting the gut microbiome, stressing the adrenal glands, and damaging the liver. This weakened immune system may make it harder to fight off thrush and other infections, such as Candida overgrowth.

Beer contains live yeast and sugar, which can feed a yeast infection

While there is no research on the link between drinking beer, performing oral sex, and yeast infections, we do know that yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called candida albicans. This happens when the healthy bacterial balance in the vagina is disrupted.

Beer is also full of sugars, which feed the yeasts. Candida, like all yeasts, needs sugar to thrive. When you consume alcohol or any other fermented food, it feeds the candida.

Oral thrush can be passed on through oral sex

Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans in the mouth. It is not considered contagious, but it can be passed back and forth between at-risk individuals, such as from mother to infant during breastfeeding. It can also be passed on through oral sex.

Oral thrush is not typically transmitted through kissing or other close contact. This is because candida is already present in everyone's mouth—it only becomes thrush when it overgrows. However, oral thrush can be passed on through oral sex and lead to vaginal thrush.

If your partner has oral thrush, there is a risk of them passing it on to you vaginally, and you may develop the symptoms of vaginal thrush shortly afterward. Oral thrush can also be contracted if you perform oral sex on someone who has a vaginal, penile, or anal yeast infection.

To prevent the spread of oral thrush through oral sex, it is recommended to use a dental dam.

Alcohol can cause blood sugar spikes, which can alter the body's balance and encourage pathogens like candida to proliferate

Normally, good bacteria in the gut keep candida in check. However, due to our modern diet of highly processed sugar, exposure to environmental toxins, and a sedentary lifestyle, the opportunistic candida can overgrow and destabilize the balance of the gut microbiome. That's when candida overgrowth occurs.

Candida overgrowth damages the gut lining, causing it to become leaky. When the gut is leaky, toxins, microbes, proteins, and partially digested food particles that shouldn't be there can get into the bloodstream. This triggers an inflammatory response from the immune system, which sends more antibodies to fight off these foreign "invaders," inducing more inflammation. Introducing alcohol to the mix hinders the immune system's response and makes the candida more opportunistic.

Alcohol can also directly impact blood sugar levels. Drinking alcoholic beverages high in sugar, such as cocktails, can cause a short-term spike in blood glucose levels. Increased glucose levels alter the body's balance and encourage pathogens like candida to proliferate. The significant swings in glucose levels have other detrimental effects, too. They rapidly deplete the adrenals and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the liaison between the brain and pituitary and adrenal glands.

Additionally, alcohol is a fermented product. All yeasts, including candida, need sugar to thrive. Alcohol fermentation occurs when yeast eats fructose and glucose and converts them into ethanol, carbon dioxide, and heat. When you consume alcohol or any other fermented food, it feeds the candida, providing an open invitation for the overgrowth to start dominating the digestive tract.

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