Men’s Yeast Infection | Asia’s Leading Sexual Health Clinics

FAQs on Men's Yeast Infection Symptoms and Treatment

Yeast infections in men are not as prevalent as in their female counterparts. Nevertheless, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews, penile yeast infection can affect up to one in every 25 males and one in every 30 uncircumcised males and can occur at any age.

So, what is a penile yeast infection? We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions for you.

Can a man get a penile yeast infection?

Yes, men do get yeast infections. It is caused by the fungus called Candida that resides on the skin and in the body's internal organs, such as the mouth, gut, and vagina.

The fungus, candida can however create infections, if it grows out of control or migrates deep into the body, such as the bloodstream or internal organs.

The medical term for yeast infections that affect men is Candida balanitis. Balanitis is inflammation or infection of the head of your penis (glans penis).

What causes a male yeast infection?

A yeast infection is commonly associated with a woman's health medical condition. However, the infection can affect men too.

The fungus candida typically causes a yeast infection. Candida is usually present in small amounts in the body. Therefore, a yeast infection can be caused by an overgrowth of candida.

Yeast infections in women are known as Vaginal Candidiasis and affect the female vagina. In contrast, yeast infections in men are known as Candidal Balanitis or Balanitis Thrush and affect the penis.

A penile yeast infection can cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms if left untreated. In addition, if the infection spreads to your bloodstream, it can cause serious complications.

Yeast infections are more common in men who are not circumcised, have diabetes, or have a weakened immune system, such as HIV.

Is penile yeast infection an STD?

Penile yeast infections, unlike vaginal yeast infections, are usually acquired sexually — when a man has sex with someone who has a yeast infection.

However, because men can get the infection without having sex, candidal balanitis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Aside from having intercourse with a partner who has a yeast infection, several other risk factors can increase your chances of obtaining a penile yeast infection, such as not routinely cleansing your genitals or bathing, not being circumcised, and having a compromised immune system as a result of certain drugs or medical problems.

Redness, itching, and soreness in the penis can be indicators of more serious illnesses, such as some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), therefore do not dismiss them.

If you are unsure about your condition, please do not self-medicate. Instead, you can visit our sexual health doctor to get an examination, testing, and treatment.

How can you get a penile yeast infection?

Having sex with someone who has a yeast infection can result in a penile yeast infection. However, you can become infected without engaging in sexual behavior.

Other risk factors that can enhance your chances of having a penile yeast infection include:

• Personal hygiene (not cleaning your genitals or bathing regularly)
• Having a weakened immune function due to certain medications or health conditions
• Having diabetes or obesity
• Having a tight foreskin or phimosis
• Long-term use of antibiotics
• Being uncircumcised
• Wearing wet clothing or tight-fitting underwear

Candida, a fungus that causes penile infection thrives in warm, moist environments.

How do you know if you have a penile yeast infection?

Male yeast infections frequently do not develop symptoms right away. However, if the infection is left untreated, it can cause discomfort and pain.

Symptoms may include:

• Redness and swelling at the top of the penis
• Sores, cracking, or bleeding on the foreskin
• Itching
• Burning sensation when you urinate
• White, lumpy, foul-smelling discharge
• Discomfort during sex
• Small rash-like bumps that may have pus in them
• Patches of white, shiny skin at the top of the penis

Yeast infections are easy to cure and very innocuous in most healthy people. Nonetheless, these symptoms might mimic other, more dangerous conditions. For example, if you have blisters in your throat, swollen tonsils, or a fever, your mouth pain could be caused by strep throat or another illness.

Similarly, genital itching and soreness may be symptoms of urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Anal irritation, particularly during intercourse or defecation, could be caused by haemorrhoids or fissures, among other things.

If you are unsure about your condition, please do not self-medicate. Instead, you can visit our sexual health doctor for a probable examination, testing, and treatment.

What can I do to reduce my risk of getting penile yeast infection?

It is critical to practice excellent hygiene. So, what are some of the hygiene suggestions?

During shower

If possible, fully retract the foreskin and wash under the foreskin and around the head of the penis daily with warm water. Soap is not recommended since it can irritate the skin. Use a neutral soap-free cleaner instead. After washing, carefully dry the penis head.

During urination

Retract the foreskin when passing urine to prevent urine from getting under the foreskin. Dry the end of the penis after passing urine before adjusting the foreskin.

During Sex

After sexual intercourse and masturbation, wash and dry the penis.

How do you treat a penile yeast infection?

In most circumstances, antifungal ointments and lotions are sufficient to treat an infection. Some antifungal lotions are indicated for yeast infections.

What do you expect when you see a doctor?

Before starting antibiotics, the doctor may take several swabs to screen for the organism that is causing the infection. It may also be good to rule out sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at this point, as some STIs could display similar symptoms of penile yeast infection.

The doctor may also want to check your blood sugar levels to discover if you have diabetes, which puts you at risk for balanitis.

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What is a recurring male yeast infection?

Yeast infections can reoccur even after they appear to be treated. If this occurs, your doctor will most likely advise you to start with daily treatments for a few weeks, followed by weekly treatments for a few months.

Recurrent yeast infections can be treated for up to months in some circumstances.

According to 2016 research, if your infection does not react adequately to an antifungal ointment and you are uncircumcised, you may be advised to have a circumcision procedure. Though this surgery is typically performed on infants, it can be performed successfully on people of any age.

If you wish to speak to our doctors about penile yeast infection issues, please contact our sexual health clinics.

Can you get a yeast infection from having sex?

Yes, it is not uncommon that yeast infection can be transmitted to your partner through sex. Men can get infected with penile yeast infection if they engage in sexual intercourse with an infected female partner. Likewise, a female can get a vaginal yeast infection from an infected male during sexual intercourse.

In general, it is also possible to contract yeast infection via oral sex when you encounter a person with a vaginal yeast infection or penile yeast infection. Sex toys can also transmit the infection.

It is essential to consider taking a break from sexual activity with your sexual partner to prevent the transmission of this infection back and forth until you and your partner recover.

How is yeast infection diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will also give you a physical exam. He or she may scrape off a bit of skin or remove part of a nail and examine it to confirm the diagnosis. At PULSE Clinics we provide vaginal swabs to detect 7 types of Candida infections.

Why do I keep getting yeast infections (recurring yeast infections)?

Recurring vaginal yeast infection can occur if the conditions of your body are favorable for yeast to overgrow. A lack of regular hygiene practices can also lead to recurring yeast infections. The risk of having a recurring yeast infection is higher when you have a weakened immune system, some of the factors of a weakened immune system can be your age, use of certain medication, or have certain health or medical conditions.

How do you get rid of a yeast infection?

After understanding your medical history, our doctor will perform an examination or test. A vaginal swab will be performed to determine the type of fungus causing the yeast infection. This is important to help your doctor to better prescribe effective treatment, especially if you have a recurrent yeast infection.

The treatment for yeast infection depends on the severity and frequency of the infection. If your infection is infrequent and has mild to moderate symptoms, your doctor may prescribe you antifungal medication in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, or ointments.

Yeast infections can be easily treated with ointments or other anti-yeast (antifungal) creams.

• Yeast infections of the vagina or penis can be treated with creams or medicated suppositories. Sometimes an oral anti-yeast medicine is used.
• Yeast infection in the mouth (thrush) may be treated with a medicated mouthwash. Or it may be treated with lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
• If you have a severe infection and a weak immune system, you may need to take oral anti-yeast medicine.
• Oesophagal yeast infections are usually treated with oral or intravenous anti-yeast medicines.
• Yeast infections of the nails are treated with oral anti-yeast medicine.
• Yeast infections in the skin folds can be treated with anti-yeast powders.

How can I reduce my risk of yeast infection?

You can reduce your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection by

1. Avoid using feminine deodorants
2. Not using scented tampons or pads
3. Not douching
4. Using water-based lubricants
5. Change out of wet clothes

Can a yeast infection be prevented?

You can prevent some yeast infections by doing these things:

• Use good oral hygiene to help prevent yeast infection in your mouth (thrush). This includes brushing and flossing your teeth every day and using mouthwash as needed.
• Wear cotton underwear to help to prevent a vaginal or genital yeast infection. If you are a woman and get vaginal yeast infections often, you may want to take probiotics.
• Keep areas where skin rubs up against skin dry and try to reduce friction.

What should I do before visiting a doctor?

It is important to make a list of any symptoms you are experiencing and for how long you have been experiencing them.

• Let your doctor know what other medical conditions you have and what medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking.
• Avoid using tampons or douching before your appointment to see your doctor.
• Do not begin treatment or self-medication until your doctor has confirmed that you have a yeast infection.
• If you are concerned about yeast infection, please contact our doctors today.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

 +66 65 237 1936    @PULSEClinic   PulseClinic

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also, write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also, know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

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Sometimes you might not be able to go to a STD clinics when you have concerns about your health. PULSE now offers PULSE Telemedicine & Teleconsult, enabling both new and existing patients to connect with doctors from 16 branches across 6 countries during clinic hours for non-emergency consultations. After the consultation, medications are delivered directly to the patient's doorstep.

3 Easy Steps to Get a Teleconsult with PULSE!

1. Connect with us Either on Whatsapp, Line App to Chat with us or call us to talk with our staff to request teleconsult
2. Verification & Consultation Our team will guide you through the verification process before your online consultation. Our doctors provide virtual consultations via available platforms, just like a traditional visit—only from the comfort of your home! Access care anywhere, anytime.
3. Get Your Treatment From Home! If your doctor determines that medication is necessary, they will provide you with a medical certificate and prescription. Your medication can be delivered to your address through our online delivery service, or in some cases, you may choose to use the prescription at a local pharmacy. For certain conditions, further lab tests may be required, and the doctor may recommend scheduling an appointment at one of our clinics near you!

Test of Cure After Treatment with Our Teleconsult Services: Ensuring Complete Recovery

After completing treatment through our teleconsult services, your doctor may recommend a PCR test as a follow-up test of cure. This is to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and that the prescribed medication has successfully eliminated the infection. We prioritise your health by confirming that no infection remains in your system, helping to prevent persistent or recurrent infections, complications, or the development of drug resistance. Typically, this test is performed around three weeks after your final day of treatment to ensure optimal results.

Teleconsult is now available for booking through our staff at PULSE Clinic. Our team will help guide you through the process to ensure your session with one of our doctors goes as smoothly as possible for you. Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

 +66 65 237 1936    @PULSEClinic   PulseClinic