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 Optional on 14/01/2012 at 11:26

Christ. I could scratch my penis with steel wool and IT STILL WOULDN'T STOP ITCHING. I don't know what's wrong with me. A lesson for this generation: Wash your dragon frequently. And never love a woman that isn't clean.

Posted by mr lova lova on 23/12/2011 at 11:03

i have been using canesten hc cream and its dried the area up cause i had tight foreskin ,have been told to stop using it by doctor after a week i used it for 10 days it had started to peel a layer flaking skin off my penis now the redness has gone and i can pull foreskin back without pain pharmacist says use e-45 non perfume soaps or shower gels so see if it stops the peeling. not had intercourse for a week so will try see if any reaction happens after i do been tested for thrush chlamydia etc all clear so will try e-45 for a while hope that helps.LL

Posted by Optional on 02/10/2011 at 04:54

This post helped me a lot. I had uncontrolled diabetes and a lot of penis smegma. Now that my diabetes is under control my problems with smegma has decreased.

Posted by chris on 21/06/2011 at 10:57

I just want to say thank u I've been trying to figer out what was wrong with my penis for 9 yrs the family doc. Had no idea been to the er numoris times to no end now I can fix my problom. So thank u vary vary much.

Posted by Optional on 24/05/2011 at 10:00

why does this site presume that the partner is male. what about lesbian relationships?

Posted by jharna on 12/05/2011 at 08:49

Use antibiotics properly and avoid prolonged use or inappropriate .Avoid too many antibacterial lozenges .If you have diabetes, good blood glucose control reduces the thrush and other infections. http://www.whatisguide.net/0507-thrush.html

Posted by Neut on 03/03/2011 at 05:29

I'm nervous I may have this even at this young age and I have had a blood test recently and I don't have diabetes but I admit I have been eating bad and I was wondering is the thrush stuff white kid of because when I look at my penis I notices there is white stuff on it sometimes and I wipe it off with baby wipes am I going to be ok? I'm extremely nervous

Posted by Optional on 03/02/2011 at 12:28

After giving oral sex to my partner I found white small spots on my tongue, my tongue is also very rough, a bit sore and my throat feels tight. I think she has given me oral thrush. GRRRR

Posted by swoll on 15/10/2010 at 05:29

i am circumsized n t double layer of skin before the tip of my penis is swollen i have no sores or ne thing just swollen n my penis n scrotum were itchy 2 days prior i used hand lotion masterbating n after that it started now 4 days later its a lil itchy n swollen

Posted by Optional on 01/10/2010 at 01:42

I had unprotected sex with a fefale about a year ago.A stupid drunking mistake, anyway the following weeks the tip of my penis was really itchy and there was a really heavy feeling in the tip of my penis(urethra) also noticed inside where i was feeling the dicomfort was redish, Almost like a red spot to be honest.The itchiness went away however the dull heavy feeling is still there. It comes and goes. Ive been cheched for stds twice everything came back clear had mention this to issue but as far as doctor was concerned i was ok. Went to local GP, where i was giving a thrush cream this has not worked. I just wish i knew what it was, it begining to get to me a little now any ideas would be much appreciated.

Posted by Optional on 23/09/2010 at 12:41

my penis is beat red with little bumps you can feel and itching really bad help

Posted by Optional on 27/08/2010 at 07:36

feel as i have oral thrush or some problem like that

Posted by Optional on 23/08/2010 at 12:58

My male partner has diabetes but I am always the one who gets the symptoms of his thrush. what can we do? help

Posted by David on 30/05/2010 at 12:04

I am diabetic and for the last two years had had sunburn-like pain in my penis after sex or masturbation. My wife, also a diabetic, gets yeast infections, and her vagina itches badly after sex. We seem to be passing it back and forth. Will her vibrator use make the condition worse? I also have sores on my butt, across my belly, and on my scalp. My doctor (a female) says we just need to get my diabetes in check. It seems to be so much more that diabetes.

Posted by Optional on 24/05/2010 at 10:52

My son has an itchy scrotum & penis which is red with dry skin patches & spots on bottom, top of legs & lower abdomen.It has been diagnosed as chicken pox but is third time he has had same symptoms & no spots anywhere else only nappy area. I have tryed leaving nappy off in daytime but no change. Spots are red at first which resemble insect bites then when redness goes he's left with a raised dry lump that is not itchy...

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

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

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

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

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.