Male Yeast Infection: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Penile yeast infections can create a range of uncomfortable symptoms, but are often treated quickly by OTC medications, and can be reduced by taking certain steps, such as practicing proper hygiene.

A yeast infection is often thought of as a female health problem, but it can affect anyone, including people with a penis.

A penile yeast infection can lead to a wide range of painful and uncomfortable symptoms if not treated. It can also lead to serious complications if the infection spreads to your bloodstream.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can often clear up a yeast infection, and some basic prevention steps can help you avoid this fairly common condition.

Some of the most common symptoms of a penile yeast infection include:

• redness, soreness, or swelling of the penis
• white, shiny patches at the top of the penis
• small red spots at the top of the penis
• cracked foreskin
• thick, white discharge under the foreskin or other folds of skin
• difficulty pulling back the foreskin
• itchiness
• burning sensation during urination
• pain or discomfort during sex

Redness, itchiness, and pain in the penis can be signs of other more serious conditions, like some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so do not ignore symptoms once they appear.

A urologist or primary care doctor can diagnose the condition, often in a single appointment.

A yeast infection is usually caused by a fungus called candida. A small amount of candida is usually present in the body. All it takes is an overgrowth of candida to develop a yeast infection.

A moist environment is ideal for candida to spread, according to 2018 research.

Having sex with a person who has a vaginal yeast infection without using a condom can also cause a penile yeast infection. However, you can also develop an infection without sexual activity.

Aside from sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, several other risk factors can increase your odds of developing a penile yeast infection, such as:

• not cleaning your genitals or bathing regularly
• having a weakened immune function due to certain medications or health conditions
• using antibiotics long term
• wearing wet clothing or tight-fitting underwear
• using skin products or soaps that cause skin irritation
• having diabetes
• using lubricated condoms
• being uncircumcised
• having obesity

Once you make an appointment, a doctor will ask you about your symptoms and likely examine your genitals. Some of the white substance that forms on the penis may be examined under a microscope to confirm the type of fungus causing the symptoms, according to 2022 research.

If you cannot get in to see a doctor or a urologist, consider a visit to an urgent care center or the emergency room. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and treatment begins, the more likely it is you can avoid complications.

It’s not recommended for a person to diagnose themselves and start treatment on their own. If symptoms of a yeast infection are present, contact a doctor. If symptoms are allowed to persist, complications can become very uncomfortable.

In most cases, topical antifungal ointments and creams are enough to clear up an infection. Some of the antifungal creams recommended for a yeast infection include:

• miconazole (Lotrimin AF, Cruex, Desenex, Ting Antifungal)
• imidazole (Canesten, Selezen)
• clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Anti-Fungal, Cruex, Desenex, Lotrimin AF Ringworm)

Most of these are available as OTC medications, which means you will not need a prescription. More serious or long-term infections may require prescription-strength medication.

Oral fluconazole (Diflucan) and hydrocortisone cream may be advised in serious infections, like those that have developed into a potentially serious condition called balanitis.

Most antifungal creams are well tolerated and unlikely to cause any serious side effects. Check the label, however, and ask a doctor and pharmacist what to look out for in case you have a bad reaction.

Recurrent yeast infections

Yeast infections sometimes return after they seem to have been cured. If this happens, your doctor will likely recommend a few weeks of daily treatments followed by a few months of weekly treatments.

In some cases, treatment for recurrent yeast infections can last up to 6 months.

If your infection does not respond well to an antifungal ointment and you are uncircumcised, you may be advised to have an adult male circumcision, according to 2016 research. Though this surgical procedure is usually done on infants, it can be done safely on people of any age.

Diabetes and yeast infections

Factors like diabetes and a suppressed immune system may contribute to your yeast infection risk, according to 2019 research.

If you have diabetes, work with a healthcare professional to make sure your blood sugar levels are well-managed. If you have a suppressed immune system, a doctor can recommend ways to help keep your immune system as healthy as possible.

If left untreated, a penile yeast infection can lead to some serious complications.

Balanitis

One of the potential complications of a penile yeast infection is balanitis. Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis. Diabetes can increase your risk for balanitis.

If balanitis is not treated effectively, scarring of the foreskin can occur. It can also cause adhesions on the penis.

Balanitis can be painful and make urinating more difficult. If untreated, it can cause swollen and painful glands as well as weakness and fatigue.

Invasive candidiasis

A yeast infection may enter the bloodstream. This is known as candidemia or invasive candidiasis.

This is most common in people who wait to receive treatment until the infection has spread beyond the penis. It is also more common in those with weakened immune systems.

If you’ve been in a hospital and used a catheter to urinate, you may be more likely to face invasive candidiasis. This advanced form of yeast infection is very serious.

Oral antifungal medications may be needed for several weeks. In some cases, the drugs are administered intravenously.

If your infection is treated early and responds well to antifungal medication, it can clear up within 7 to 14 days.

If you are sexually active, your partner should also be treated for a yeast infection to avoid passing the infection on to them, or back to you.

If you get repeated yeast infections and can rule out causes like hygiene and sexual contact, talk with a doctor about other possible causes. You may have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes.

You can help prevent a penile yeast infection by avoiding sexual contact with a partner who has a yeast infection.

You should also avoid having sex with anyone while you have an active yeast infection, as you could pass the infection back to your partner. This could cause the two of you to pass an infection back and forth.

To lower the risk of getting a yeast infection or passing one along, do the following:

• Wear an external condom each time you have sex to help reduce your chances of developing a yeast infection.
• Practice good hygiene, and keep your penis and genitals clean and dry.
• If you are uncircumcised, clean under the foreskin with soap and water, and return your foreskin to its usual position after you have sexual intercourse.

Penile yeast infections are not as common as vaginal yeast infections, but they do occur. They may result from poor hygiene or sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection without using an external condom.

Symptoms include small white patches and redness on the skin as well as itchiness or burning. If left untreated, it can also cause other conditions and complications.

Topical antifungal ointments and creams can typically treat the infection and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal) – Side Effects, Interactions, Uses, Dosage, Warnings

Reviewed: June 23, 2020

Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication that fights infections caused by fungus.

Clotrimazole vaginal (for use in the vagina) is used to treat vaginal candida (yeast) infections.

Clotrimazole vaginal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

uses

What is Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal) used for?

• Cutaneous Candidiasis
• Tinea Corporis
• Tinea Cruris
• Tinea Pedis
• Tinea Versicolor
• Vaginal Candidiasis

warnings

What is the most important information I should know about Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

You should not use clotrimazole vaginal if you are allergic to it.

If this is the first time you have ever had symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, ask your doctor before using clotrimazole vaginal.

Tell your doctor if you have had more than 3 vaginal infections within 6 months. Frequent vaginal yeast infections that do not clear up with treatment may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• fever, chills, pain in your back or shoulder;
• stomach pain, vomiting;
• foul-smelling vaginal discharge;
• diabetes; or
• HIV or AIDS.

FDA pregnancy category B. Clotrimazole vaginal is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Do not use clotrimazole vaginal without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without medical advice.

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Side Effects

What are the side effects of Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening vaginal symptoms.

Common side effects may include:

• slight increase in vaginal discomfort (burning, itching, irritation).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Can I take Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

B

No evidence of risk in humans

Based on FDA pregnancy categories

FDA pregnancy category B. Clotrimazole vaginal is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Do not use clotrimazole vaginal without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Interactions

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

Do not have sexual intercourse. This medicine will not prevent the infection from spreading to your partner. Clotrimazole topical can also cause damage to a condom or a diaphragm. These forms of birth control may be less effective if you use them during treatment.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Avoid wearing tight-fitting, synthetic clothing that doesn’t allow air circulation. Wear clothing made of loose cotton and other natural fibers until the infection is healed.

Dosage Guidelines & Tips

How to take Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

Use Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose Signs

What happens if I overdose on Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal)?

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on: Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal),  call your doctor or the Poison Control center

(800) 222-1222

If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Clotrimazole-3 (Clotrimazole Vaginal), call 911

911

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Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Overview, Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Pregnancy, Interactions, Dosage, Overdose, and Images sections. The information within all other sections is proprietary to Everyday Health. 

Smoking, excess weight and 8 more typical causes of thrush

• Health

“Thrush” is one of the most common gynecological diseases. By the age of 25, about half of women experience an episode of inflammation caused by yeast-like fungi at least once in their lives.

March 6, 2022

Source:

Getty Images

Currently, more than 150 species of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida are known. About 10 of them can cause disease in humans. Among the most common are Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida crusei. That is, yeast-like fungi are not one microorganism, but several types of fungi united by the same genus Candida.

This knowledge will help us understand why it is impossible to be treated with the same drug every time you have thrush, and also why the treatment prescribed by your friend may not suit you. Doctor Peter learned more about the problem of thrush and self-treatment from Tatiana Lekareva, a gynecologist, endocrinologist, Ph.D.

10 Common Causes

Doctors identify some factors that can contribute to thrush. They are:

1. Pregnancy due to hormonal changes and vaginal acidity.

2. Bacterial vaginosis is a violation of the normal microbial composition of the vagina.

3. Smoking.

4. Associated allergies.

5. Excessive intimate hygiene – douching, frequent washing.

6. Use of tampons during menstruation.

7. Wear panty liners and/or tight synthetic underwear that creates a “greenhouse effect” in the crotch area.

8. The use of hormonal drugs.

9. Use of spermicides (a method of contraception based on chemicals that kill sperm). Such drugs can adversely affect the normal flora of the vagina, exposing the mucous membrane of the genital tract for the unhindered reproduction of yeast-like fungi.

10. Overweight, impaired carbohydrate metabolism.

See also

Candidiasis? Not a fact

Despite the general knowledge that the manifestations of thrush are itching, burning and cheesy vaginal discharge, this is not always the case. Especially in the case of recurrence of candidiasis, the discharge may be yellowish, sometimes liquid, and in some cases, on the contrary, completely absent.

One study attempted to make a diagnosis when the gynecologist – very qualified – was based only on the data of the interview and examination of women. Subsequently, after receiving the results of smears, the diagnosis was confirmed only in 50% of cases.

Thus, without laboratory test data, both independently and during a gynecological examination, it is far from always possible to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, polymicrobial associations are often found – that is, along with yeast-like fungi in the genital tract, there may be other microorganisms that do not belong to the normal microflora of the vagina.

And if the treatment is prescribed based on the assumption that only yeast-like fungi are present, then naturally the effect will be far from complete. In addition to confirming the diagnosis, smears will help you choose a drug that will act specifically on yeast-like fungi isolated from a woman. Just like bacteria, yeast-like fungi can develop resistance, i.e. insensitivity to drugs aimed at their destruction.

Traditional medicine – will it help?

Among the most commonly used folk remedies are boric acid, chamomile decoction, soda. Yeast-like fungi are one of the most ancient forms of life on Earth. During their existence, they have developed various mechanisms for adapting to adverse environmental conditions, which allowed them to survive.

Most often, home remedies only slow the growth of yeast-like fungi or reduce the symptoms of thrush.

But gradually this approach leads to the formation of more aggressive forms of yeast-like fungi and chronic “thrush” develops, that is, 4 or more episodes per year. When using this or that drug, a woman must be sure that the medicine allows you to destroy the pseudomycelium of the fungus, and not just reduce the activity of these microorganisms.

See also

Crazy money for air

Many women, who are already familiar with thrush from their own experience, prefer not to go to a gynecologist, practice self-treatment. According to US analysts, the annual turnover of over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of “thrush” exceeds 269 million dollars. Unfortunately, inadequate treatment regimens only lead to the disappearance of symptoms, the further transition of the infection into a chronic relapsing form.

It is not uncommon for patients to start treatment on their own without confirmation of the diagnosis, based only on clinical manifestations. Such tactics can lead to the fact that the true pathogen will continue to grow and multiply, and the appointment of reasonable treatment will not occur in time.

Partner not always treated

Candida vaginal infection is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, as the fungus can normally be present in the vagina.