Thrush in men

The medical term for redness and soreness of the glans is balanitis. Candida is the usual cause, but there could be other reasons (look at the section on Penis problems: red, sore and itchy). Therefore you need to check with your family doctor or go to a genitourinary medicine clinic. Also, thrush in men can be the first sign of diabetes, so your doctor will do a diabetes check.

Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, because many people already have small amounts of the Candida fungus. Whether or not it causes problems depends on the situation. Candida likes warm and moist skin, and skin that is already slightly damaged. It also thrives on the high sugar in people with diabetes. So if the skin of your genitals is already irritated by perfumes in soaps or shower gels, or if you are careless about drying yourself after washing, or if you have diabetes that is uncontrolled (perhaps because you are unaware you have diabetes), Candida is more likely to multiply. When it has multiplied, you may begin to notice symptoms.

 

If you have a regular female partner, it is quite likely that she will also be carrying Candida in her vagina. If she does not have symptoms, she probably does not need treatment. However, if you keep getting thrush, it might be worth her having treatment even if she has no symptoms.

Thrush in men is usually cured easily with an antifungal cream. To prevent it coming back, take care over your choice of soaps avoid perfumed soaps and shower gels, and anything else that could irritate your skin.
 

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Ken Carroll on 28/10/2009 at 05:43:00 pm

I have diabetes and am having problem with my penis. It is red and sore and cracked. I think it may be thrush What is the anti fungal cream to buy

Posted by Ben k on 23/08/2009 at 11:57:00 am

I tested +ve to S. aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella sp. and pus and epithelia cells in my urine test; VRDL result was non-reactive, got treated with Ceftriaxone iv, Gentamycine, Ciproxicillin and flucloxicillin. Upon 2 to 3 reviews Re>10/1. Two months later, itchy bump has developed on my scrotum which refused to respond to treatment with penicillin V after it had developed into sore. It responded when i later took Amoksiklav 625mg. Three others have appeared including 1 on my pennis. They've refused to respond to Cetriaxone Cetirizine hydrochloride, flucloxicillin, Grisofulvin and Vit C treatment. I've just seen Pus after squeezing my pennis. What is wrong with me? I'm becoming more and more frustrated.

Posted by in_need07 on 17/08/2009 at 10:30:00 am

How do i treat an infection at the base of the glans where thin whitish films of the skin comes out. I'm married, & this usually occur after sex.

Posted by Nana on 29/01/2009 at 09:51:00 pm

Hi. I just discovered i had candida th other day. Please read through these pages n keep th info cause it's all very true n non scary. Just remember to wash underwear thoroughly n hang till completely. And for the ladies, wear a panty liner if yr going to insert a pessary.