Warning: Sweaty Sex Can Give You an STF

As in, a sexually transmitted fungus.


My guy is always in the mood after a gym session. Is it safe to hook up when he's all sweaty, including down there?

Male sex hormones often surge after exercise, and the same is true for you, so take advantage of the moment. Sweat itself doesn't raise your risk for infection, and sweaty romps can be arousing and erotic.

However, men who work out a lot are more likely to get jock itch, an infection (usually caused by the same fungus responsible for athlete's foot) that thrives in moist places—like gym shorts. It affects your guy's groin, so there's a small risk the fungus can be transmitted to you during intercourse. If he has it (he'll likely notice a rash), abstain from sex until he treats it.

Jennifer Berman, M.D., urologist specializing in female urology and sexual medicine; cohost of The Doctors

RELATED: Warning: Your Vibrator Could Be Made with Harmful Chemicals

Have sex questions? Send them to askanything@rodale.com or tweet them to @womenshealthmag with the hashtag #AskWH. And for answers to reader questions on various other topics, check out the "Ask Anything" section in the July/August 2015 issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Stds