The words “yeast infection” usually conjure up images of television commercials featuring products designed for women, so it’s easy to see why yeast infections are generally thought of as an exclusively female problem. The truth is, a yeast infection in men is not uncommon. Since men usually aren’t aware of this fact, they may be completely mystified when symptoms arise, and might not know what to do. They may even feel awkward going to the store and purchasing ointment in little pink boxes designed for women. Luckily, there is a yeast infection treatment designed for both sexes, and it can be ordered online to avoid public embarrassment.  To learn more about this treatment click here.

The article below discusses:

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections are caused by Candida yeast, which are always present in even the healthiest of people. Occasionally the yeast will begin to grow out of control if conditions in the body are favorable to them. For example, the immune system usually keeps microorganisms under control, but in people with compromised immune systems yeast can begin to multiply more rapidly than the body can fight it. The most common cause of a yeast infection in men is a compromised immune system. An immune system can be weakened by a variety of factors, including:

  • Infection with the HIV virus, or active AIDS
  • Undergoing treatment for cancer
  • Nutritional deficiency
  • Significant stress
  • Imbalance of pH levels

Some of these factors, such as cancer treatment or the HIV virus, are unavoidable once they have affected a person. Others can be controlled through various lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and lowering stress levels. Immune boosting foods such as fruits and vegetables should be consumed in order to meet the body’s need for necessary vitamins. If this is a major concern, a holistic treatment plan may be the best course of action.

There are other conditions which may contribute to a yeast infection in men. For example, antibiotic use is sometimes necessary to fight off bacterial infections, but antibiotics can also kill off the beneficial bacteria that help to keep yeast in check. The end result can be a yeast infection. This is why it is so important to avoid using antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Do not ask your doctor to prescribe these medications for conditions like the common cold, which are caused by a virus and are not helped by antibiotics. Hormones in meat and dairy products can also be the culprit. Adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, or at least switching to antibiotic-free meat and dairy products, can be beneficial for those with hormone imbalances or chronic yeast infections.

Diabetics can also be prone to yeast infections, because the excess amounts of sugar in their systems provide the ideal environment for yeast to thrive. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin to help the body metabolize sugars efficiently, and all the extra sugar in the body basically acts as a feeding ground for yeast, helping it to multiply rapidly out of control. Anyone who suffers from recurrent yeast infections and also has other symptoms of diabetes should immediately be tested for this serious disorder.

Can a Yeast Infection Be Sexually Transmitted?

While yeast infections often occur naturally, without one person transmitting it to another, they can also be brought on by sexual contact. Those who suffer yeast infections can indeed pass on the infection to their partners. In fact, some couples suffer recurrent yeast infections because they pass it back and forth between them. Any time symptoms appear, abstaining from sex until infection is either ruled out or completely cured is essential to prevent spreading it to your partner. A recurrent yeast infection in men are often due to an infection which has been passed back and forth between partners.

On the other hand, since yeast infections can certainly occur on their own due to the conditions outlined above, contracting one is no cause to blame your partner or accuse them of cheating. These infections can happen to anyone, and are not due to lack of personal hygiene or sleeping with the wrong person.

Yeast Infection Symptoms

Since yeast prefers to live in warm, moist, and dark areas of the body, the groin is a prime location for an overgrowth and subsequent infection. In women this usually results in an infection in the vagina; in men, the yeast may grow under the penis, around the scrotum, or even underneath foreskin at the tip of the penis. Usually the infection will involve the penis, but it may also affect the creases of the legs and behind the scrotum as well.

Since the penis is home to an abundance of nerve endings, which are normally associated with pleasure, intense pain can result from an infection in this area. A yeast infection in men will cause intense itching or burning pain in the penis, and often a foul odor as well. This odor is caused by gasses given off by the yeast as it metabolizes sugar. A yeast infection can often be much more painful than one would have imagined.

Yeast Infection Treatment

The same treatments used for yeast infections in women can also be used for men. For first-time yeast infections, the patient should be examined and properly diagnosed by a doctor to be sure yeast is indeed the problem. In some cases a sexually transmitted disease can be mistaken for a yeast infection, so visiting a doctor is very important to make sure something more serious is not overlooked.

Once diagnosed, the same treatments commonly used by women can be used for men. This includes over the counter ointments, which are applied directly to the affected area, and oral medications which attack the yeast from within. Sometimes a combination of both methods may be used in particularly aggressive infections.

For those who suffer recurrent yeast infections, a holistic yeast infection cure might be necessary. This will address various underlying causes for the repeat infection, such as weak immune system and nutritional concerns.

In most cases a yeast infection in men will go away in a week or less, if remedies are used as intended. For more serious infections or those that recur, consultation with a physician may be needed to rule out underlying medical problems that may be contributing to the problem.