Thrush in men: symptoms, causes and how to treat it

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by the Candida fungus that affects roughly 3-11% of men in their lifetime. It can affect many parts of the body, including:

• Mouth and tongue (oral thrush)
• Skin
• Genitals (penile and vaginal thrush)

When there is an imbalance in the amount of microorganisms in the body, the Candida fungus is able to grow and spread, especially in warm, moist areas of the body.

Mild thrush can go away on its own, but it can be persistent and cause you discomfort. If you think you have thrush, treatments are available to help relieve symptoms and clear the infection quickly and effectively.

Start your consultation for thrush

Can men get thrush?

While it mostly affects women, men can also experience thrush.

It’s caused by the same fungus, but symptoms, triggers, and treatment can differ between the sexes. Here is a helpful table detailing the main differences between thrush in men and women before we go into more detail.

Thrush in men vs women

Thrush in men and women is caused by the same thing, but what triggers its growth can differ between sexes.

In men, triggers include:

• An uncircumcised penis – the foreskin can trap in moisture.
• Sex with a partner who has thrush – women can get thrush this way too, but it’s more likely to happen to men.

In women, triggers include:

• Hormonal changes – pregnancy, periods, or birth control can affect vaginal bacteria.
• Changes in vaginal acidity – soaps, douches, or semen can alter pH levels in the vagina.
• Use of certain contraceptives – most notably, contraceptive pills containing oestrogen.

Triggers common in both men and women include:

• Antibiotics
• Underlying health conditions (e.g. diabetes, weakened immune system)
• Poor hygiene
• Overwashing
• Tight clothing

While hormonal shifts and pH changes are common culprits in women, men are more affected by anatomy and partner transmission. Recognising your specific risk factors is key to preventing flare-ups.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Symptoms of thrush largely depend on where your infection is located. There are three main types of thrush in men:

• Penile thrush (Candida balanitis)
• Oral thrush (oral candidiasis)
• Skin thrush (cutaneous candidiasis)

Here is a table detailing the main signs of thrush in men:

Signs of thrush in men can vary from those listed here, and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. If you think you may have thrush, see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Thrush symptoms are easy to identify if you know what you are looking for. While symptoms aren’t always visible, the most common ones are.

Here are examples of what thrush looks like in different areas.

Pictures of thrush:

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Mild thrush can go away on its own, but some infections can be persistent. If you find your symptoms won’t go away or keep coming back, you may benefit from prescription thrush treatments. Prescription treatments won’t offer immediate thrush relief, but they will ease symptoms over time.

There are a few options available to treat thrush in men:

At euroClinix, we prescribe both treatments for thrush in men. Simply complete an online consultation, and once approved by one of our EU-registered doctors, your thrush tablets, capsules, or cream will be delivered discreetly to your door.

Start your consultation for thrush

Antifungal creams work well for external symptoms, while oral tablets are more effective for thrush in the mouth or when symptoms keep coming back. Choosing the right type of medicine makes treatment more effective.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

While medications like Clotrimazole and Fluconazole are highly effective, there is always a chance that thrush will come back if you don’t fix the issue that caused the infection in the first place.

One of the main triggers for male thrush is poor hygiene. Here are some tips to improve personal hygiene and reduce the risk of thrush coming back:

If you maintain good hygiene but still find yourself getting thrush, there may be an underlying health issue causing recurring infections.

You should also avoid taking antibiotics if possible, as they can disrupt your body’s natural flora and cause thrush to spread more easily.

To support health and reduce the likelihood of thrush coming back, consider the Candida diet—consisting of low-sugar foods, non-starchy vegetables, and plenty of lean proteins and fibre.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

In some cases, thrush can go away on its own, but if it doesn’t, complications can arise if left untreated.

This could just mean a stubborn infection that doesn’t go away, but it could also spread to new areas and cause further discomfort. This is known as invasive candidiasis.

Invasive candidiasis can cause the infection to spread to many parts of the body, including the:

• Heart
• Brain
• Blood
• Bones
• Eyes

If thrush spreads to any of these areas, it can become dangerous, even life threatening. See a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity

If you believe your thrush is a result of an underlying health condition, seeing a doctor is the first step to getting the help you need. Recurrent thrush should never be ignored, especially if you notice it may be spreading.

You should also see a doctor if your infection is causing intense pain or discomfort. In some cases, what seems like thrush could be another condition entirely, so getting a proper diagnosis is important, especially if symptoms don’t improve with treatment or keep coming back. Get your oral or penile thrush treatment online from euroClinix for fast, effective treatment from licensed healthcare professionals.

Recurring thrush may be a sign of a serious health condition like diabetes. If you also experience symptoms like increased thirst or frequent urination, see a doctor to rule out underlying conditions.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor