What Are the Causes of Male Thrush?

Male thrush is also called "yeast infection" or candida albicans. It is easy to spread through unprotected intercourse; it is also easy to cure, since the antifungal medications are readily available at any pharmacy; men suffering from this condition can also obtain more immediate relief by using natural substances, such as plain yogurt.

Description

• Thrush is a yeast infection. This happens when a naturally occurring yeast, called candida albicans, overmultiplies or overgrows in a woman's vaginal canal. This yeast is normally controlled in the vagina by the presence of "good" bacteria; however, when something happens to upset the balance of bacteria vs. yeast, the yeast will grow out of control and cause an infection. Causes can include tight-fitting clothing and undergarments, stress and antibiotics which kill off the good bacteria.

Transmission

• Candida albicans is spread during intercourse from the female partner to the male partner when the male partner is not using physical protection, such as a condom. Once he has been infected, the male can infect his own sexual partners, but this does not always happen. A man who has been infected with male thrush does not always display symptoms so he may not know he is infected. If this is the case, he does not know he is infecting his partners.

Symptoms

• Once a man has received an infection, he will notice that his foreskin and the head of his penis are uncomfortable, red, inflamed and tender to the touch. He may notice an itching around the site of infection as well as a bad-smelling white fluid. This fluid is different from the smegma which his glands will produce; the consistency of this fluid is also completely different from the consistency of smegma. He will also notice a red rash on his penis, especially the underside.

STD or Not

• Male thrush is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, even though it is spread from partner to partner during intercourse. Because yeast infections, or thrush, can appear in many other parts of the body, as well as infants and children, it is simply called a yeast infection or candida albicans. For instance, babies can develop yeast infections in their diaper areas because of the presence of moisture in the diapers; they can also develop oral thrush, which is the overgrowth of the yeast in their mouths, on their tongues and gums. Small children can develop yeast infections in the folds of their skin where they sweat, such as in the inner creases of their elbows.

Treatments

• For men who are suffering from candida albicans, topical application of a clotrimazole cream to the infected area can help to reduce the presence of the yeast. Other antifungal treatments include nystatin, fluconazole, tioconazole and miconazole as well as many others. If the infection is severe, Amphotericin B may be prescribed. Yogurt contains the friendly (good) bacteria which keeps the candida albicans under control. Eating yogurt, as well as applying it to the infected area, can cure as well as provide relief of the symptoms.