Male Yeast Infections: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Although men may believe that yeast infections are exclusively a female problem, nothing could be further from the truth. While many of the relevant hygiene products are marketed strongly to women, male yeast infections are actually quite common. While men may not like the idea of having this infection, its important to know that there are many options for diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

“Balanitis” is the medical term commonly used to refer to a male yeast infection, although this word technically refers to all forms on inflammation of the tip of the penis (of which a Candida infection is one cause). However, if you read more about balanitis, youll see that these two terms are often used interchangeably The symptoms can vary, but commonly include:

• Redness of the penis tip
• Swelling of the penis tip
• Penis and foreskin discomfort and pain
• Discharge from the tip of the penis
• A sensation of tightness of the skin of the penis and foreskin

If you have any of these symptoms, its important to get rapid treatment. If left untreated, serious complications can result. Without intervention, the skin of the foreskin can become scared and tightened, leading to a condition called phimosis, where the foreskin can not be retracted over the penis. This is a serious concern, as it can lead to more significant problems such as severe pain and difficulty urinating.

Overwhelmingly, poor hygiene– when the man doesnt clean adequately under the foreskin– is the most common cause of Candida infections in men. Because only uncircumcised men have a foreskin, it is much more likely occur in uncircumcised men (although circumcised men can get it too). Apart from cleaning sufficiently, it is important to make sure the penis is properly dried, as moist areas can become a breeding ground for yeast. Diabetes is another significant risk factor, especially if it is not well-controlled, as sugar is a favorite food of yeast. If the blood sugar is really high, some sugar can be secreted into the urine and deposited onto the tip of the penis, creating a local breeding ground for the yeast. If there is any injury to the skin of the penis, this can be a risk factor as well.

If you are uncircumcised and are worried about your increased risk of developing Candida– dont despair! Studies have shown that if uncircumcised men clean themselves properly, there is no increased frequency of this condition.

If you are concerned about symptoms you are having, make sure to visit your doctor, who will diagnose you by doing a physical exam of the area. If there is discharge present, he or she may also take a sample of the discharge to examine under the microscope.

If diagnosed early, the infection can usually be easily treated. Treatments are similar as what is used for women. Your doctor may prescribe you a topical antifungal cream, such as Nystatin, to apply to the affected area twice a day for three to five days, or may give you an oral antifungal, such as Diflucan, which can usually treat the condition with a single dose.

While male yeast infections are typically easy to treat, if they are severe or recurrent they may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. If this happens to you, your doctor may want to test you for other medical problems.

Now listen up! Want to learn more about Candida in men – including natural and holistic methods for treatment you can use from the comfort of your own home?

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