There is a great deal of misunderstanding when it comes to yeast infections that affect men. First there’s the general myth that men don’t really get yeast infections, second men often get yeast and fungal infections mixed up, and third there’s little understanding of the link between localized yeast infections and systemic, chronic ones. We’ll be addressing all of these issues in the paragraphs that follow.
First let’s get one thing out of the way: Yes men can suffer from male yeast infections. While they are far less prevalent than in women, they still affect many thousands of men each year. The infection manifests as a red, uncomfortable and often itchy rash on the head (glans) of the penis. If the penis becomes swollen, both sexual intercourse and passing urine will be painful.
It’s important to realize that men can also develop yeast infections in other parts of the body. These aren’t exclusively “male” yeast infections because women are also susceptible. One of them is known as oral thrush, where the Candida yeast overgrowth in the mouth and throat. Then there are gastrointestinal forms of Candida yeast infections which can result in a range of different symptoms including digestive upsets, irritable bowel disorders, headaches and joint pain.
Some health professionals believe that if men suffer from recurrent topical yeast infections they are very likely also to have a buildup of Canada in the gut. And without treating this root cause of the yeast infection, application of topical antifungal creams will only be masking the symptoms rather than addressing the infection more permanently. To deal with an overgrowth of Candida in the gut, dietary changes may be necessary. At its most simple this involves reducing the amount of sugar in the diet and taking an acidophilus supplement to rebuild the populations of “beneficial bacteria” in the gut that play a role in controlling candida growth rates.
It’s easy to get yeast and fungal infections mixed up. Fungal infections are caused by dermatophyte fungal organisms rather than the Candida yeast. The most common is athletes foot where the skin between the toes is affected, but men can also suffer from genital area fungal infections known colloquially as Jock itch, or more formally as ringworm of the groin. It’s important not to confuse these with male yeast infections. Jock itch primarily affects the skin of the genital area, often including the scrotum while male yeast infections primarily affect the penis head and shaft.