Most men can swear that thrush is a thing that only happens in women. But thrush occurs in men and usually targets the tip of the penis. Some of its symptoms include redness, irritation, itchiness of the head of the penis, and discharge. This condition can be diagnosed and treated at the Sexual Health Clinic.
About thrush
Thrush is mostly used interchangeably with candidiasis or yeast infection. This is because it is caused by Candida Albicans, a fungus (like yeast).Symptoms of thrush in men
Just like some men don’t show symptoms for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and many bacterial infections, they do not have any for thrush. One of the most typical ways to know that you have thrush is if your female sexual partner seems to be suffering from thrush repeatedly. It shows that you are also a carrier and are cross infecting each other. This means that you both should get treated.The following are some possible symptoms of thrush that may occur in men:
- General redness or red patches that may occur on the tip of the penis or under the foreskin
- A displeasing and maybe foul-smelling discharge with consistency as thick as a cottage cheese
- Phimosis, a condition which makes it difficult to pull back the foreskin
- Irritation, itching, or burning under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
These symptoms are not specific for thrush alone; they occur for other sexually transmitted diseases. So, we advise you to test for other conditions including thrush if you have any of these symptoms
Sometimes, people may experience thrush as a widespread skin infection affecting the groin, between the fingers, the armpit, or on the skin between the anus and genitals.
Is thrush anSTD?
Though sexual contact is not always the primary cause of thrush, it can spread through it. This is why you and your female partner should both be treated for the condition to prevent you two from re-infecting each other. Also, seeing that the thrush symptoms are similar to that of other sexually transmitted diseases, you need to test different conditions transmitted through sex. Some of them include gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and other bacterial infections. Your doctor, with the help of the result, will determine the most suitable treatment for you.Thrush should not be left untreated under any circumstance as it can spread in the blood and cause severe complications like invasive candidiasis. The severe effects of thrush arewidespread in people that do not have a robust immune system.
What should I do to prevent thrush?
- Having sex with a partner that has thrush should only be done with a condom
- Spend time to clean your penis regularly
- Properly dry your penis after washing
- Wear cotton underwear
- Steer clear from tight trousers and underwear
- Do not usescented soap or shower gels to wash your genitals
When to see a doctor
You need to book an immediate appointment with your doctor if you notice any of the above-listed symptoms or if your partner keeps getting infected with thrush. There are readily available treatments for thrush; some are on prescription while the others are available over the counter. However, we advise against self-diagnosing and treatment as you may need to test for other infections as well.Treatment for thrush
Thrush is usually treated with antifungal creams. These creams are over the counter and should be applied twice a day. Using them with a corticosteroid cream can help relieve the swelling and itching. But like we said, it is not safe to self-medicate and using the corticosteroid cream may cause the thrush to linger for long or make it more severe.If as a man, you have severe thrush that involves your penis; your doctor will give you an antifungal pill (probably fluconazole) and will monitor the course of the treatment until you recover.
If your symptoms do not involve the penis, your doctor will administer miconazole (Baza) orclotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Desenex) to you. These are over the counter treatments used for treating female yeast infection and athlete’s foot. If you react adversely to them, the doctor will then offer you nystatin cream.
Recovering from thrush
Continuing the use of antifungal cream will keep the infection in check for about two weeks. During the treatment, avoid having sex as it can cause the area to irritate, or spread the disease to your partner. If you must, ensure you use a condom.When the infection clears up, remember to pull up the foreskin and wash the head of your penis everyday, wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, and avoid the use of scented soaps, deodorants, and talcum on your penis to prevent irritation.
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