Male thrush

Whilst thrush (Candida albicans) can be transmitted through sexual activity, it is not classed as an STI. It is a yeast infection. Both men and women have the fungus that causes thrush, however, when this balance is interrupted is when the condition appears. Infections can be uncomfortable but aren't normally serious.

For more information on the causes and symptoms of thrush in men, we have these listed below. You can also buy antibiotics suitable for men called Diflucan. This is just 1 tablet taken with water and you should see an improvement in as little as 24 hours.

Causes of thrush in men

The Candida fungus is normally kept under control by the body's immune system but can over-grow as a result of various different factors, causing an infection.

Antibiotics	Thrush most commonly tends to develop after taking antibiotics, as these types of treatments don't distinguish between good and bad bacteria, therefore killing both. If bacterial balance is disturbed an infection is likely to develop.
Hygiene	Candida albicans tends to thrive in moist warm conditions, therefore making areas such as the groin vulnerable for infection, especially if it's not dried properly after a bath or shower. Skin damage as a result of harsh cleaning products, soaps or perfumes can also increase the risk of infection.
Affected immune system	If your immune system isn't performing as it should, it is less able to control the Candida fungus, which can lead to a flare-up.
Diabetes	Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes is often associated with an increased occurrence of thrush in men, because high blood-sugar levels create a more favourable environment for yeast to grow. If infections are recurrent and you experience other symptoms such as weight loss, excessive thirst and an increased need to urinate, you should speak to your doctor.
Diet	If you follow a diet high in carbohydrates it can also creates a more favourable environment for yeast to grow.
Weight	If you are overweight, it's more likely that there will be folds of skin on your body where dampness can develop. Skin is also more likely to be prone to damage as a result of areas of skin rubbing against each other. The Candida bacteria tend to favour areas of skin that has been damaged.

Symptoms of male thrush

The symptoms of male thrush are slightly different to those experienced by women when they have vaginal thrush and can appear in the groin area or around the tip of the penis, this often develops into something that is known as balanitis.

If thrush (or balanitis) develops in the skin area between the testicles and leg, it will usually start off as a red itchy rash, that later develops spots and small blisters. The skin can then become scaly and produce a white-yellow substance.

Balanitis is often signified by:

Redness of the skin around the head of the penis
Inflammation of the of the head of the penis
Irritation of the head of the penis
Lumpy discharge underneath the foreskin
Itchiness of the areas
Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
Difficulty or pain when passing urine
Pain when having sex

candidiasis in Men

Diagnosing thrush in men

If you are afraid that you might have male thrush or balanitis due to the symptoms experienced, then it is essential that you visit your local GP or care physician as soon as possible. This infection is usually easily diagnosed by the identification of inflammation or redness around the glans at the tip and helmet of the penis.

To gather a more thorough, accurate reading and to rule out the possibility of an STI, a doctor or nurse may collect a swab of the infected area (around the foreskin/penis head). These samples are then checked for any signs of thrush and similar infections, but usually due to the visual symptoms of thrush is more easily identifiable in men compared to women.

Preventing male thrush

Similar to women, when looking to prevent thrush from occurring, men should ensure:

The penis and surrounding area is cleaned and dried thoroughly
Ensure foreskin is free from moisture to prevent fungus growth
Reduced use of medicated soaps, genital sprays, deodorants, bubble baths and other irritants
Underwear and trousers are not too tight to encourage ventilation of the genital area
Underwear is cleaned regularly
Sexual partners as well as themselves go for regular sexual health check-ups

Male thrush treatment

Male thrush sometimes goes away on its own, but not always. In this case, effective treatment can provide timely relief from the discomfort. The first point of call for treating penile thrush is fluconazole (also known as Diflucan).

Fluconazole works by breaking down and destroying the protein enzymes that promote the growth of the fungi cells in the affected area, without this the fungi cannot survive and subsides after a while.

Clotrimazole (also known as Canesten) is often available over the counter and can also be used for the treatment of balanitis also. Other beneficial treatments that may help to halt the yeast growth include:

ketoconazole
miconazole
econazole

If you are diagnosed with thrush and require effective treatment then you can have a look at our Diflucan page below for more information

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kok Ching Ng MBBS/MRCGP Written by our editorial team

Last reviewed 08-10-2021

Information on this page

Causes of thrush in men
Symptoms of male thrush
Diagnosing thrush in men
Preventing male thrush
Male thrush treatment

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