Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects men and women. It's usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Symptoms of thrush in men
If symptoms do appear, they can include: irritation, burning or itching under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis. redness, or red patches under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis. a discharge under the foreskin that may look like cottage cheese – there may also be an unpleasant smell.
In men, symptoms of thrush can include: redness at the site of infection, often at the head of the penis and the foreskin, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin. itching and irritation at the site of the infection (often at the head of the penis) thick, lumpy discharge under the foreskin.
Don't worry too much if you come in contact with vaginal thrush; Although it's not an STI, it can be passed back and forth during sex. A weakened immune system, antibiotics or diabetes may make men more susceptible. The following can increase the risk of men getting thrush.
What causes thrush. Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida that is normally harmless. Thrush tends to grow in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of bacteria changes.
“You can get it from having sex, but it's not a contagious thing to pass on. It's all to do with the environment you're putting your sexual organs into. So, if you sleep with a person with thrush, their vagina may be dryer and more alkali and this could interfere with your penis.”
Some of the male thrush treatments includes oral capsules, such as Canesten® Thrush Oral Capsules; Canesten® Thrush External Cream is useful to help with prevention of re-infection and can be applied to the head of the penis 2-3 times daily.
With good treatment, male thrush usually goes away in around 14 days or less. Most thrush medications are often marketed towards women (or seen as female products), but they're also designed to help treat the symptoms of male thrush. Just avoid any 'internal' products, as they're usually designed for the vagina.
About clotrimazole for thrush Brand name: Canesten
It's used to treat yeast infections, including thrush in men and women, although thrush is more common in women.
If you think you have thrush you should visit your doctor, as the symptoms of thrush are very similar to the symptoms caused by sexually transmitted infections (STI). Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you have an STI or thrush, and therefore what treatment or further testing is required.
Treatment for male yeast infections may include an antifungal medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal cream, lotion or ointment. You can apply the antifungal directly onto the infected area of your skin. You can buy many antifungal medications over the counter.
Yeast infections in men are common because the fungus that causes yeast infections (candida) is normally present on skin, especially moist skin. When some contributing factor — such as having sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection — causes an overgrowth of candida, infection can result.
Thrush is caused by a fungus called Candida which grows in warm, moist parts of the body such as the vagina, under a man's foreskin and sometimes the mouth. Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), although the irritation it causes can also affect your partner when you have sex.
Thrusting = friction, friction = dryness. Unless you're fully lubed up, you're going to be susceptible to thrush if you're shagging a lot. “The vagina gets dried out during sex and the lining becomes damaged and therefore the candida can multiply and become an infection,” says Lynn.
Oral thrush is not considered contagious, but it can be passed back and forth between at-risk individuals or from mother to infant while breastfeeding. In otherwise healthy people, it is very unusual for thrush to be passed by kissing or other close contact.
A yeast infection is not considered an STI, because you can get a yeast infection without having sex. But you can get a yeast infection from your sexual partner. Condoms and dental dams may help prevent getting or passing yeast infections through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
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.
Male yeast infections often go away on their own once the underlying cause is resolved. But, severe cases can sometimes spread to the scrotum, inner thighs, and buttocks if left untreated. That's why it's best not to ignore a yeast infection.
Sometimes, yeast infections might go away on their own. If they're going to do so, the infection should resolve itself within a week. But you might want to get it checked out anyway. Untreated yeast infections can cause the Candida bacteria to spread throughout your bloodstream.