Thrush is a common infection that affects both men and women, causing a range of symptoms.
While it’s more common in women, men can experience symptoms too – although they differ slightly from the symptoms experienced by women.
If you’re looking for more information about male thrush, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to discover answers to some common questions, starting with one of the most important…
What is thrush?
Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida.
It can affect both men and women, but women are more likely to get thrush than men.
While the word ‘fungus’ may conjure up images of mushrooms, Candida is actually a microscopic organism that often lives harmlessly on your skin, and in areas like the gut, mouth and genitals.
Problems start when it multiplies and grows out of control. This is when it may develop into thrush, causing certain symptoms or related conditions like balanitis (but more on that later!).
Male thrush symptoms
When Candida grows out of control, it can cause infection on the penis, which is often called male genital thrush. This may lead to candidal balanitis – inflammation of the head of the penis, which can cause symptoms like redness, itching, soreness and swelling, estimated to affect up to 11% of men during their lifetime.
While balanitis can be triggered by other factors, such as not washing correctly or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), thrush is considered one of the most common causes.
When experiencing male thrush, you might notice symptoms such as:
- A red rash at the head of the penis (it may look shiny or feel tight)
- Soreness or itching around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- White, creamy discharge under the foreskin (sometimes with a thick cottage cheese-like texture and an unpleasant smell)
- Pain when having a wee or during sex
- Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
That said, it’s also possible to have male thrush without any symptoms whatsoever.
Is thrush an STI?
No, thrush isn’t classed as an STI. While it affects the genitals and can cause similar symptoms to some STIs, it’s not actually considered one itself.
However, thrush can be triggered or passed on during sex. It may be best to avoid having sex until the infection has completely cleared up if sex is uncomfortable.
Some antifungal products can also weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps, so your contraception might not work.
Causes of male thrush
As we now know, male thrush is caused by a fungus called Candida. But are there any risk factors that can make you more likely to develop it?
The answer is yes – your risk of thrush may be higher if you:
- Have a tight foreskin
- Have irritated or damaged skin
- Take certain medications (such as antibiotics)
- Have poorly controlled diabetes
- Use products that can irritate the skin (such as perfumed toiletries or bubble baths)
- Are receiving treatments for cancer (like chemotherapy)
- Live with HIV
Candida also thrives in damp, warm environments – so it may start to grow out of control when those conditions are present. This can happen due to:
- Hot weather
- Wearing tight clothing or underwear (especially synthetic fabrics like nylon)
- Not drying off properly after showering or exercising
- Not washing your genitals regularly or correctly (for example, not cleaning the area under the foreskin each day)
Male thrush treatment
In most cases of male thrush, symptoms are mild and tend to clear up quickly once you start treatment.
This treatment usually comes in the form of an antifungal cream or oral capsule, which you can purchase over the counter at your local pharmacy.
- Thrush antifungal cream (such as Canesten® Thrush External Cream) – this type of cream contains an ingredient called clotrimazole, which works by stopping the fungus responsible for the infection. You might be advised to use this treatment even if you don’t have symptoms yourself, as it can help prevent re-infection of your sexual partner.
- Thrush oral capsule (such as Canesten® Thrush Oral Capsule) – this capsule is taken by mouth and contains an antifungal ingredient called fluconazole. This helps clear the infection and ease your symptoms.
- Combined thrush treatment (such as Canesten® Thrush Duo Oral Capsule and External Cream) – this treatment combines an oral capsule for the treatment of candidal balanitis and a cream which can be used to prevent reinfection of the sexual partner.
When using any medicine, please make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
If you are at all concerned, have any questions or find that your chosen treatment is not helping your symptoms, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor.
Preventing male thrush
Having thrush can leave you feeling uncomfortable and hoping to never have to deal with it again. So, is there anything you can do to help minimise your risk of getting it in the future?
Here are some top tips to reduce the chances of thrush coming back:
- Prioritise personal hygiene – Candida thrives in hot, damp conditions, so it’s important to avoid creating an environment where it can thrive. Be sure to always shower after exercising and dry off thoroughly. Keep your penis clean, but avoid using harsh soaps or shower gels on the sensitive skin under your foreskin. Instead, stick to water and, if necessary, an emollient cream.
- Think about what you wear – to keep your genital area cool and dry, choose cotton underwear over synthetic fabrics, and avoid wearing tight trousers or underwear.
- Avoid sex while infected – if you have thrush, it’s best to hold off on sex until the infection has been fully treated and cleared up, because it may be uncomfortable and you could pass the infection to your partner.
If your thrush keeps coming back after treatment (known as recurring thrush), it’s important to speak to a doctor. They can review your symptoms, go over your medical history and check for underlying reasons or other infections.
When should I see a doctor?
While thrush normally clears up quickly with the right treatment, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice if it’s your first time experiencing symptoms.
You should also make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Your thrush keeps coming back (more than four times in a year)
- You’ve tried thrush treatment, but it hasn’t worked
- You’re under 16 or over 60 and have symptoms of thrush
- You have thrush and a weakened immune system (for example, due to diabetes, HIV or chemotherapy)
Male thrush is a common infection caused by a fungus called Candida. While it may be uncomfortable to deal with, the good news is that in most cases, you can easily treat it with an antifungal cream or oral capsule from your local pharmacy.
