Can Men Get Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are not just a women’s problem. Men can get yeast infections, too! Learn how to prevent them and what you should do if your partner has one so that the infection won’t spread around his/her nether regions (or anywhere else for that matter).

Can men get yeast infections? The short answer is yes. Though seldom talked about, men can and do get yeast infections. A yeast infection is an infection of the area around your penis and testicles caused by an overgrowth of a common fungus we all have on our skin. In men, yeast infections are also sometimes called penile yeast infection, candida balanitis, or balanitis thrush. While the cases of men getting yeast infections are less frequent than women, it is important to know that it is a possibility. If you think you may have a yeast infection, it is important to see a doctor to be sure as the symptoms can be similar to other more serious conditions. With proper treatment, however, a male yeast infection.

What causes Male yeast Infection?

Candida albicans is a common fungus. You’ve probably got a small amount living in your mouth, digestive tract, or on moist parts of your skin. Women often have some in their vagina. Most of the time, candida doesn’t cause any problems. But if too much of it grows in one place, you get a yeast infection.

Men can also get a yeast infection on the tip of their penis. This leads to balanitis. Balanitis is a yeast infection that can occur in men who are not circumcised and have a foreskin that is still attached to the head of the penis. The symptoms of balanitis include redness, itching, and pain. If balanitis is left untreated, it can lead to scarring of the foreskin and damage to the head of the penis. Balanitis is treated with antifungal medications. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected tissue.

You’re more likely to get a yeast infection if you:

• Have been taking antibiotics for a long time
• Have diabetes
• Are overweight
• Have a weak immune system (like people who have HIV)
• Have trouble cleaning yourself
• Are sensitive to soaps, perfumes, and chemicals
• Use steroids

You can also get a yeast infection on your penis through sex. If your partner has one, they could pass it on to you.

Symptoms of Male Yeast Infection

If you have a yeast infection on your penis, you could have:

• Itching or burning on the tip of your penis or the foreskin
• Redness
• A moist feeling on the tip of your penis
• Discharge that looks like cottage cheese and might have a bread-like or unpleasant smell
• Swelling around the tip of your penis and foreskin
• Sores or white patches of skin
• Trouble pulling back your foreskin
• Trouble peeing
• A hard time getting or keeping an erection

In serious cases, you may have a hard time peeing or keeping control of your urine stream.

How to Treat Male Yeast Infections

Your doctor may suggest:

• An over-the-counter antifungal cream or prescribe one to get rid of the infection
• A steroid cream such as hydrocortisone
• An oral medication called fluconazole

If you keep having yeast infections and aren’t circumcised, your doctor may suggest circumcision, especially if your foreskin is very tight (a condition called phimosis).

You can help clear up your infection by:

• Cleaning and drying your penis well
• Managing your diabetes if you have it
• Losing weight if you are obese
• Avoiding any soaps or other chemicals that cause irritation

How to Prevent Getting Male Yeast Infections?

The best way to stop a yeast infection from happening (or coming back) is to practice good hygiene, including:

• Cleaning and drying your penis each time you shower and after sex
• Choosing unscented soaps and skin products
• Wearing a condom during sex when your partner has a yeast infection
• Wearing loose cotton underwear to prevent moisture from building up under your foreskin

Products to Treat Male Yeast Infections