How Yeast Infection Affects Men, Symptoms & Treatment
Men and women can get the same types of yeast infection, whether they are skin, oral or systemic. However, since yeast infections are primarily found on the skin, men can acquire yeast infections of the penis. The general term used for inflammation of the head of the penis is called Balanitis. Balanitis is a common condition affecting 11% of adult men and 3% of children.
Causes of Penile Yeast Infection
Symptoms of Male Yeast Infections
Treating Yeast Infection in Men
Causes of Penile Yeast Infection
Balanitis has many different causes, including irritation from chemicals or soaps; drug allergies; trauma; or infection from bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Fungi, such as Candida can colonize the penile skin, resulting in Candida balanitis or a yeast infection of the penis. Diabetics are very susceptible to yeast infections in general, and penile yeast infections are common in male diabetics. Balanitis occurs in 3% of uncircumcised males worldwide, which may be due to poor personal hygiene.
When the discharge from an uncircumcised penis is not properly removed by cleaning, irritation results because of poor aeration (or inability to air out). An uncircumcised penis with its redundant folds creates a warm, moist, and dark environment that is the ideal place for culturing yeast.
However, it is not only the uncircumcised male that is at risk for yeast infection. It is important to note that Balanitis can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as Syphilis, and Gonorrhea, so proper diagnosis is important. A
lthough a yeast infection is not considered a STD, infection can occur, but uncommonly, through sexual intercourse if the female partner has a vaginal yeast infection. This risk is higher with vaginal intercourse than with anal intercourse.
Symptoms of Male Yeast Infection
Men with yeast infections may complain of a sexual impotence, discharge, inability to retract the foreskin, redness, tenderness, and itching. Occlusion of the penile opening may produce pain with urination and inability or difficulty inserting a Foley catheter. The foreskin can become inflamed and swollen, resulting in phimosis, or sticking of the foreskin to the penis, preventing it from being retracted. Phimosis is painful and is a major complication of Balanitis seen in the Emergency Department.
Yeast Balanitis may also have the classic signs of a Candida infection, with red, painful, itchy pustules that have a distinct border on the head and on the sides of the penis. Sometimes the pustules under the foreskin are not noticed because they rupture quickly and may disappear without treatment. A white exudate (discharge) similar to that seen in a Candida vaginal infection may also be present. These pustules, along with the white exudates suggests a yeast infection.
Treating Yeast Infection in Men
Men with Candida Balanitis that is caused by poor hygiene should keep the area clean, especially if they are uncircumcised.
Circumcision is also an option for recurrent infections. It is not an uncommon procedure, even in adult males, and it will cure Balanitis caused by Candida. For the immunocompromised patients, taking immunity boosting medications and keeping the area clean will decrease infection rates. Good control of diabetes can also reduce the frequency of yeast infection in a diabetic patient.
The main medications used to treat Candida Balanitis are the antifungals. These drugs work by blocking the formation of the cell wall in yeast. Azole compounds work through this action. Topical antimycotic drugs can achieve cure rates in excess of 80%.
Candida Balanitis responds quickly to seven days (two times a day) of the over-the-counter (OTC) antifugals miconazole (Monostat) or Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Gyne-Lotrimin) cream. It is recommended to complete the full course to prevent recurrence. Doctors may prescribe Fluconazole (Diflucan), for one day, or 5 days, and it is just as effective as the 7 day treatments of the OTC medications.
Men can also be treated with, Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Butoconazole, and Terconazole creams, or Ketaconazole or Fluconozole tablets. These medications range from taking a single oral dose or 3 to 14 days of treatment. At least 10% of patients experience recurrent episodes, which may be due to reservoirs of Candida in the intestine and urethra.