Candida Symptoms in Men

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida yeasts, and especially Candida albicans.

It is also known as yeast infection, Candida, candidiasis, candidal balanitis, and moniliasis.

It mostly affects women, but if it occurs in males, candidiasis affects the head of the penis and the foreskin. It can lead to inflammation of the head of the penis, known as balanitis.

Oral thrush affects the mucous membranes, for example, of the mouth.

Fast facts on thrush in men

Here are some key points about male candidiasis. More detail is in the main article.

 Candida normally lives on the skin and mucous membranes, but if too much grows, it can cause symptoms.

Symptoms include an itchy rash, red skin, swelling, irritation and itching around the head of the penis, lumpy discharge under the foreskin or pain when urinating and during sex.

Risk factors include the use of antibiotics or corticosteroids, immunosuppression, diabetes, poor hygiene, using too many cleansing products.

Genital candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but transmission can occur during vaginal intercourse.

Oral or local antifungal treatments can be used to treat candidiasis.

Good hygiene practices can help prevent it.

Symptoms

In men, thrush affects the head of the penis and, if present, the foreskin. It can also be found on other areas of skin or mucous membrane, for example, in the mouth. This is known as oral thrush.

There are often no symptoms, but if symptoms appear, there may be an itchy rash on the penis.

Around the head of the penis there may be:

red skin

swelling

irritation and soreness

itchiness

inflammation

white patches

Symptoms affecting the foreskin include:

thick, lumpy discharge under the foreskin, producing an unpleasant odor

difficulty pulling back the foreskin

There may be pain during sex or when passing urine.

Treatment

Many mild infections do not require treatment. Some medications are available, and there are also home remedies that may help.

Medication

Antifungal topical creams or oral medication may help relieve symptoms. They are equally effective. Both topical and oral forms are available online.

Diflucan is a capsule containing 150 milligrams (mg) of the antifungal drug fluconazole.

It is available either from the doctor or over the counter (OTC) from the pharmacy. Only one capsule is needed.

Another type of antifungal is known as imidazole, a class of drugs that includes:

Clotrimazole

Econazole

Ketoconazole

Miconazole

Creams are applied topically, directly onto the affected area, usually once a day for 3 to 7 days.

Nystatin is another topical antifungal. It is sold under numerous brand names, but it is less effective than the topical imidazoles.

A man who has not been treated for thrush previously should see a doctor before treating themselves.

Home remedies

Good hygiene prevents thrush and helps treat it.

Tips for good hygiene include:

washing the penis carefully with warm, running water

not using perfumed shower gels or soaps on the genitals, because they can cause irritation

drying the penis carefully after washing

wearing loose-fitting cotton underpants to help keep the genital area dry and cool

In men with a foreskin, poor hygiene underneath it can lead to the build-up of a cheesy-looking substance called smegma. Smegma can cause irritation.

Do Probiotics Work?

Women who get recurrent yeast infections often try probiotics and other alternative treatments containing Lactobacillus bacteria, but there is conflicting evidence about whether or not this works, and no evidence that it works in men.

Complications

In rare cases, a man with weakened immunity who has genital thrush may develop invasive candidiasis. This is a fungal infection of the blood that can cause the fungus to spread quickly throughout the body.

This can be fatal, and it is a medical emergency.

Emergency treatment in hospital protects organs from the infection while antifungal drugs are administered to kill it.

Sometimes, if a man with weakened immunity develops thrush, he may be advised to go to the hospital, as a precaution against this systemic infection.

Factors That Increase This Risk Include:

HIV infection

diabetes

use of immunosuppressant drugs, for example, by transplant patients

undergoing high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer

having a central venous catheter (CVC) for medication

being on dialysis

Causes

Candidiasis is caused by a yeast fungus, Candida.

Candida fungi occur naturally inside the body and on the skin, but at levels that do not cause problems. The immune system keeps them in check.

However, if certain conditions disturb the balance, the fungus can thrive and candidiasis can develop. The fungal cells produce hyphae, structures that penetrate the tissue.

Risk factors that make candidiasis more likely include:

use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can upset the balance of normal microbial flora and allow the Candida to overgrow

taking medications that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids

having a weakened immune system, due, for example, to HIV or kidney dialysis

poorly-managed type-1 or type-2 diabetes, because yeasts thrive more easily in higher levels of blood sugar

obesity, especially if there are rolls of fat where yeast can thrive

poor hygiene, especially if a man is not circumcised

bath foam, soaps, shower gels, lubricants, and other products, which can irritate and damage skin of the penis, leaving it open to infection

not drying carefully after washing, because the fungus can thrive in warm, moist conditions

having a poor diet

Is it sexually transmitted?

Genital candidiasis is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is usually acquired through sexual activity, but it can develop without sexual contact. A partner with a fungal infection does not always transmit it.

However, men are advised to avoid unprotected sex with a female partner who has thrush until treatment has cleared up the infection.

Diagnosis

Thrush may disappear without treatment. However, if it does not go away, and if treatment does not remove the infection, it is important to see a doctor to rule out other possible problems, such as diabetes, which can make infection more likely.

Screening for STIs may be appropriate.

If the rash is severe or if the doctor is unsure of the diagnosis or suspects an underlying cause, a swab from around glans penis and under the foreskin may be sent to the lab for testing.

If there are persistent sores or ulcers that do not heal, a biopsy may be necessary.