Contents:
- Medical Video: How To Tell If You Have A Male Yeast Infection
- How can men get penile yeast infections?
- Who are the men at risk of developing fungal infections of the penis?
- Symptoms of penile yeast infection
- Can penile yeast infections be treated?
- Prevent fungal infections of the penis
Medical Video: How To Tell If You Have A Male Yeast Infection
Yeast infections (fungi) are usually experienced by babies and women. In infants, this infection is better known as diaper rash. While in women the name is vaginal yeast infection. However, it turns out that men can also get yeast infections, namely the penis. What are the signs of penile yeast infection and what are the causes? Here is the complete information.
How can men get penile yeast infections?
Penile yeast infections usually affect the head of the penis and foreskin (in uncircumcised men). Unlike vaginal yeast infections where fungi grow due to unbalanced levels of bacteria, yeast infections in men are usually transmitted through sex. If you have sex with a partner who has a safe vaginal yeast infection, you are also at risk of developing a penile yeast infection. However, yeast infections are not classified as sexually transmitted diseases because they can also appear without sexual contact with other people.
Who are the men at risk of developing fungal infections of the penis?
In addition to contracting your sexual partner, there are several risk factors that can trigger yeast infections. Consider the following risk factors.
- Not circumcised
- Taking antibiotics that help kill the good bacteria that prevent infection in the penis
- Immune disorders or diseases that attack the body's resistance, such as AIDS
- High blood sugar levels or diabetes
- The penis area is moist, for example because of sweating or not drying the penis perfectly after taking a shower
- Lack of maintaining penis cleanliness
- Take corticosteroid drugs
- Being overweight or obese
Symptoms of penile yeast infection
There are several signs of penile yeast infection that you should not underestimate. Check the signs below and immediately consult a doctor if you experience them.
- Itching and heat on the head of the penis
- The penis looks red or swollen
- White spots or stains appear around the penis area
- Bad smell (for uncircumcised men)
- A white discharge that clots behind the skin of the foreskin (for uncircumcised men)
- Pain when urinating or having sex
Can penile yeast infections be treated?
Generally, yeast infections are treated with ointments and creams. Usually ointments or creams such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and econazole can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.
However, in quite serious cases you may need special treatment and taking medication prescribed by a doctor. Especially if the infection causes balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis). If you are not circumcised, your doctor may recommend circumcision to prevent the spread of infection.
Prevent fungal infections of the penis
The best way to prevent penile yeast infections is to make sure you have safe sex. Avoid having unprotected sex with people who have vaginal yeast infections. Not changing sexual partners can also reduce your risk of developing this disease.
In addition, keeping your penis clean is also the key to preventing yeast infections. Make sure your intimate area is always clean and dry. If you are not circumcised, do not escape cleaning the part under the foreskin with water and soap.
