Do men get yeast infections too? Let's talk about male yeast infections and how to treat them simply.

You might think that yeast infections only happen to women. That is a common myth, but it is not true. Men can get yeast infections too.

When this happens on a man's private area, doctors call it Candida balanitis. Candida is a type of yeast, which is a fungus. Balanitis means swelling or infection of the tip of the penis.

What is a Male Yeast Infection?

Tiny living germs live on our skin all the time. One of these germs is a yeast called Candida. When you are healthy, these germs live peacefully on your skin without causing any harm.

However, if something causes Candida to grow too much, it can cause an infection. This can lead to a red rash on your skin.

Think of Candida like a small plant. It grows best in warm and wet places. That is why these infections often start under the foreskin where it is warm and damp.

Who is Most at Risk for Candida Balanitis?

This condition can happen at any age. However, some people have a higher chance of getting it. Statistics show that about 1 out of every 25 men will get this condition during their lifetime. For uncircumcised men, about 1 out of every 30 men may experience it.

Young boys under the age of 4 and uncircumcised men have a higher chance of getting this infection. Another factor is phimosis. This the foreskin is too tight to pull back easily. This makes it harder to clean under the foreskin. Most boys can pull their foreskin back easily by age 5, so this risk gets lower as they grow.

How Common Are Male Yeast Infections?

This is not as rare as you might think. Between 3% and 11% of men get a yeast infection at some point in their lives. You are not the only one, so try not to worry.

What Are the Symptoms of a Male Yeast Infection?

The main sign is pain, swelling, and redness around your private area. This redness might sometimes appear in small patches.

You might also notice these other signs:

• Burning, itching, and discomfort at the tip of the penis and under the foreskin.
• A thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese.
• A bad smell coming from the discharge.
• Trouble pulling back the foreskin.
• Shiny sores or small bumps on the penis.

After a yeast infection heals, you might see the skin peeling off. The infection weakens the skin, causing it to flake and peel away.

What Causes Male Yeast Infections?

As we mentioned, the Candida yeast is the main cause. This yeast grows best in warm and wet places. Uncircumcised men see this more often because moisture gets trapped under the foreskin.

Other things that help Candida grow include:

• Poor personal hygiene or not keeping the private area clean.
• Using harsh soaps that hurt your skin's natural protection.
• Not washing well under the foreskin after using soap.
• Leaving the skin wet after a bath or shower.
• Having a skin cut or injury.
• Having sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection.

Yeast infections are not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, you can pass them to a partner during sexual contact.

Some people have a higher risk of getting yeast infections:

• People with health issues that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, or HIV/AIDS. High blood sugar gives yeast more food to grow.
• People with severe obesity or extra weight.
• People taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bad bacteria, but they also kill good bacteria. Good bacteria keep yeast under control, so losing them lets yeast grow fast.
• People who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

How are Male Yeast Infections Diagnosed?

If you have these symptoms, the best thing to do is see a doctor. The doctor will examine you. They will look at your penis and foreskin to see if a red rash points to a yeast infection.

Sometimes, the doctor may want to take a small sample from the infected area for testing. They use a small tool to gently scrape a tiny piece of skin. Then, a pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope to find the exact fungus.

How are Male Yeast Infections Treated?

Doctors usually treat this with antifungal medicine. Your doctor may suggest an antifungal cream, lotion, or ointment. You apply these directly to the infected skin. You can buy some antifungal products over the counter without a prescription. If the infection does not go away, your doctor can give you a stronger prescription medicine.

Common creams include:

• Miconazole (like Monistat 7) .
• Clotrimazole (like Lotrimin) .
• Nystatin (like Mycostatin) .

Sometimes, your doctor might give you a pill to swallow, such as fluconazole (like Diflucan). They might also suggest a steroid cream to help lower swelling and discomfort.

The most important thing is to keep your private area clean and dry. This helps the infection heal fast and stops it from coming back.

If antifungal creams do not work, or if you keep getting yeast infections, your doctor might talk to you about circumcision. They may also suggest circumcision if you cannot pull back your foreskin to clean it properly.

How Can You Lower Your Risk of a Yeast Infection?

You can prevent most yeast infections by keeping your private area clean and dry. You can also do these things:

• Practice good personal hygiene and take a bath every day.
• Do not use harsh soaps or chemical scents on your private parts. Use a mild, unscented soap.
• Pull back your foreskin when bathing, wash the area well, and dry it completely. Do not leave any moisture behind.
• Change your underwear every day. Wear breathable cotton underwear that absorbs sweat. Avoid tight underwear.
• Urinate and wash your private area after having sex.

What Should You Expect If You Have a Male Yeast Infection?

You can usually clear up a mild infection at home using an antifungal cream from the pharmacy. However, if the infection does not get better after two or three weeks, see a doctor. You may need prescription treatment.

How Long Does a Male Yeast Infection Take to Heal?

It can take a little time to heal. Once you start antifungal treatment, the infection should start to get better within one to two weeks. It usually heals completely in one to three weeks. However, yeast infections are hard to control, and they can come back, especially in uncircumcised men. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not go away.

What Complications Can Happen from Male Yeast Infections?

You might feel shy about talking about this, but getting a doctor to check a yeast infection is very important. If you do not treat it, you can get serious problems. These include:

• Scars and narrowing of the penis.
• Pain and trouble pulling the foreskin back or moving it over the tip of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis).
• Problems with blood flow to the tip of the penis.
• A higher risk of penile cancer, though this is rare.

Talking to a doctor about a yeast infection can feel awkward. But it is very important. There are treatments that take away the pain and itching. An antifungal cream or ointment can help you heal fast. If it does not heal, your doctor is there to help you. Visit a doctor today to find the best treatment for you.

Remember, taking care of your health is your responsibility. If this happens to you, stay calm and take the right steps.