Male yeast infection symptoms are sometimes so subtle, or even undetected, that it’s not a surprise they are overlooked and even denied. While these infections are so obvious in women because symptoms can be detected even in the earliest stages, many men often go through life not knowing that they are infected or having male yeast infection symptoms. Unfortunately, this circumstance is really more common than men would want to admit.
Female and male yeast infection symptoms are quite alike; there is the same unbearable itch, the same painful burn when taking a leak, and the same white discharge that is almost like cottage cheese. But in men, the penile area can turn red, develop sores, and even have dry, cracking skin which makes the condition extremely painful.
To make matters worse, it is easy for men to get the infection. If the glans is often moist and warm (think inside your swimming trunks) the yeast has the perfect environment to develop. With men that are sexually active, they can get it from a partner that has a genital yeast infection, through oral sex from a person with thrush, or through anal sex with a partner that has a perianal yeast infection. Any time a man finds out that his partner’s got an infection, that is the signal to go to the doctor for a check-up. Usually the OB-GYN prescribes a round of fungicidal medications for both partners, even without male yeast infection symptoms, since it’s logical that each would be infected. It’s important to stop contact at the time the medicines are being taken to stop the cycle of infections.
A few male yeast infection home remedy treatments can help if the infection is still in its starting stage. Some men have tried using the contents of probiotic capsules like powder on the infected areas. This acts the same way as plain yogurt does with women, but without all the mess. Others swear that the killing efficacy of antifungal creams are upped when combined with white vinegar and the male yeast infection symptoms disappear quickly. And the white vinegar is extended to direct application on the penile area, in dilute form, of course. During treatment, keep the area dry. Use boxers or go commando and take a cue from the females – use powder in the area. Tea tree powder keeps you dry while treating your fungal infection at the same time.
These infections are contagious, so remember to stay away from your sex partner at that time. It’s very easy to play “catch” with yeast and your partner won’t thank you for the infection, or for giving it back. Thankfully, there are ways to stop this from recurring. A condom is a very good tool for this, since unprotected sex is the easiest way to develop male yeast infection symptoms. However, do not use any condoms that have the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 on them.
Some studies have shown that this ups the infection factor for both men and women when combined with lubricants. Keep yourself dry. Jock itch is a form of the infection and the best way to avoid that is to change your shorts when they get wet. Watch your sugar intake – yeast feeds on blood sugar and that gives them the food to go multiply. This doesn’t just mean sweets; alcohol has a high sugar content, too. Be extra careful when you’re sick and taking steroids or antibiotics. These meds mess up your immune system by killing all the bacteria in the body, including the good ones. One doctor recommended taking probiotics during this time to counteract the situation. When men develop male yeast infection symptoms, that a clue that the infection is already serious and an appointment with a physician, preferably a urologist, has to be made immediately.
