Male Yeast Infection

It is commonly believed that genital yeast infections can only affect women, a misconception that has been perpetuated by the prevalence of yeast infections in women. But male yeast infection is not at all uncommon, and can very frequently go unnoticed due to negligence. Yeast infection can be transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse, but not all men who have sexual contacts with women suffering from yeast infections will get a yeast infection in turn. In fact, there are a series of factors that can prepare the terrain for the appearance of a male yeast infection. These factors can consist in general health of the man in question, his lifestyle, hygiene or even his being circumcised or not.

Sexually active men are more prone to getting a penis yeast infection. This infection can be transmitted from a sexual partner, so men with multiple sex partners are more in danger of contacting male yeast infection. The infection can be unapparent for a while, so even if your partner gets treatment for his/her infection, chances are that during the next unprotected intercourse, it will get transmitted back to them. Non circumcised men who have unprotected sex are more prone to getting a penis yeast infection, because the foreskin creates a humid environment that helps the Candida develop. Washing the penis after intercourse can sometimes prevent that from happening.

While the main cause for male yeast infection is transmission by way of unprotected sexual contact, it is not the only one. Men on strong courses of antibiotics can also experience penis yeast infection. The mechanism is very similar to what happens in female yeast infection. Extended antibiotics treatments can destroy the friendly bacteria that keep the Candida Albicans that normally exists on the human body in check, therefore allowing it to grow uncontrollably and provoking a male yeast infection. Men with AIDS are also at risk of developing male yeast infection, due to the diminished capacity their immune systems have to react to the proliferation of the Candida.

Another cause for male yeast infection is diabetes. In diabetes, sugar levels can no longer be properly controlled, so blood, urine and secretions have high levels of sugar in them, which gives the sugar loving Candida the possibility to develop.

Penis yeast infection can also appear in children and infants, as a result of wearing diapers and fecal matter coming in contact with the penis. As the Candida exists in human feces, their prolonged contact with the penis can cause a male yeast infection.

The symptoms of male yeast infection are not dissimilar to those of genital herpes. Lesions generally affect the head of the penis and are characterized by irritation, soreness and itchiness. Sometimes the penis head can become covered with little blisters or become extremely red and painful. There can also be a burning sensation during intercourse and urination in penis yeast infection, and a white colored, thick textured discharge can sometimes appear.

The prevention of male yeast infection can be done by having a responsible and safe sex life, maintaining a good hygiene of the genital area and not abusing antibiotics, alcohol and foods rich in carbohydrates.
Male yeast infection treatment can be either topical, such as Monistat or systemic, such as Diflucan. You must remember that male yeast infection treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, after the proper investigations, so if you think you may have male yeast infection, see your doctor.