Can you get a yeast infection from condoms? My boyfriend puts on three of them. Every time we have sex, it never fails, I come up with a yeast infection. My discharge is clearish/white with this cottage-cheese-like substance. When I experienced my first yeast infection I went and got Monistat, but when I used the medicine it felt funny. I didn't have any pain, but a little irritation. What is going on with me?

S.S.

You should see a gynecologist to determine if what you are experiencing is really a yeast infection. Classically, yeast causes a thick cottage-cheese-like discharge with associated itching or burning. There is usually not any odor. Monistat, an effective over-the-counter yeast medication, will not help either allergic reactions or infections caused by organisms other than yeast. Some women are actually allergic to either the latex in condoms or to the spermicide. This usually will produce a significant irritation during or after sex; a discharge alone is less common.

No one should use Monistat or similar over-the-counter remedies until her infection has been confirmed to be yeast by a health care professional. Later, if the exact same symptoms occur again, it is okay to go ahead and pick up the creams. If symptoms do not rapidly resolve after using the cream, then once again a visit to the doctor is in order.

As for the three condoms ... well, I'm sure you guys want to be safe, but that really is overkill! One latex condom, properly applied, is sufficient. The only circumstance I can think of in which you might want to use more than one condom would be if one of you has a latex allergy. In that case, you might use a latex condom plus a lambskin condom. If one partner is allergic to latex, then the lambskin condom should be worn closer to that person; for example, if you are allergic to latex, your boyfriend should put on a latex condom, then a lambskin condom over that, so that you are not in contact with the latex. (A lambskin condom alone does not prevent the transmission of HIV.)