Men's thrush Dr Rob Hicks It's a myth that men can't get thrush, they can. Dr Rob Hicks outlines the symptoms and treatment.

In this article

What are the symptoms?

How's it treated?

Thrush is a yeast infection (also called candida) that's caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called 'Candida albicans', which lives in and around the body. Provided it's kept in check by 'good' bacteria, it causes no harm.

Anything that destroys the protective bacteria allows the thrush to proliferate. For example, antibiotics taken for an infection don't discriminate between good and bad bacteria and will kill off both types. Thrush may also occur if you're a bit run-down and your immune levels are low.

Thrush that keeps returning despite treatment may be a sign of diabetes and should be tested for by your doctor.

Men with a foreskin are more likely to get thrush because the warmth and moisture underneath encourages growth of the fungus.

Men who get thrush invariably believe it's sexually transmitted. Although possible, most experts say this isn't usually the case and often it develops in men who aren't sexually active.

Triggers for thrush

1. antibiotics
2. low immune levels
3. diabetes
4. sex

Inflammation of the head of the penis (balanitis) is the most common problem. It becomes red and sore, and irritation and itching are common. Small red spots may appear and a penile discharge can occur. A collection of material (smegma) under the foreskin that looks like cottage cheese and smells yeasty is often present.

Sometimes, there are no symptoms, so if your partner's being treated for thrush, there's a good chance you could have it too.

If you're having any of these symptoms for the first time, then it's best to get them checked by your doctor to confirm it's thrush and not another infection.

Good hygiene and saline baths help, and keeping under the foreskin dry is essential.

If you've had thrush before and recognise its symptoms, you can get an anti-fungal cream (clotrimazole) from the pharmacist, without a prescription. Keep applying the cream for as long as it takes for the symptoms to clear up and then for an additional two weeks.

When one partner is having treatment the other should be treated at the same time to prevent the infection getting passed back again. Sex should be avoided if possible during treatment, but if you do have sex, use a condom.

A well-balanced diet low in fats and sugar, together with a healthy lifestyle of regular activity and enough rest, should help prevent recurrence.

The golden rule, of course, is that if treatments fail to solve the problem, or you're worried, then go to your GP, practice nurse or the local genito-urinary clinic (previously known as the VD clinic) for advice.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in April 2007.
First published in October 1997.