Thrush in men: causes, symptoms and treatment

Yeast-like fungi often affect the genitals of women, causing candidiasis. Thrush in men, although rare, causes severe discomfort. The young man is tormented by:

• intense itching;
• discharge with an unpleasant odor;
• painful urination.

Few people rush to see a doctor, but pathology affects other systems of the body. Treatment should be started as early as possible, and after it follow the recommendations to avoid relapse.

A little about the disease and causes

First you need to understand what thrush is, what causes it and how it develops. The disease is caused by fungi of the genus Candida, which are found in the body of every person. Under the influence of certain factors, their number increases sharply, which causes severe discomfort. There are different types of thrush in men, fungus:

• oral and nasal cavities;
• genitals;
• skin.

Male thrush is diagnosed much less frequently than female thrush. The fact is that the causative agents of the disease are removed from the urethra in guys along with urine. Due to the structure of the genital organs, the weaker sex is more likely to notice candidiasis, but the provoking factors are almost the same.

Fungi of the genus Candida are most often transmitted during sexual contact with a carrier; infection is possible through saliva or personal items (towels, washcloths). Infection does not always occur, but only in cases where the body is weakened or there are favorable conditions for the development of the disease. The disease begins with candidal urethritis - from 7 to 21 days is enough. Next, candidiasis appears, which is easy to notice by its distinguishable signs.

Provoking factors

The causes of thrush in men are different, the very first is contact with an infected person. In second place is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, followed by long-term use of medications (antibiotics, hormonal and antibacterial drugs).

What causes candidiasis

Causes:

• diseases of the endocrine system (in particular diabetes mellitus);
• pathologies of the immune system, for example, human immunodeficiency virus;
• recent stress;
• sudden climate change;
• hypothermia or overheating of the body;
• violation of the microflora of the ureter, glans penis;
• penis injuries.

The disease is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, although there are cases when a wife infected a husband with candidiasis. However, this does not mean that the other half is unfaithful; you need to know what causes the fungus:

• pregnancy and recent childbirth;
• hormonal disbalance;
• taking contraceptives.

Sometimes thrush develops even in people who are not sexually active.

Pills against illness

Thrush, which is detected in men and women, is usually accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. It is for this reason that it is necessary to begin eliminating the pathology immediately after its identification. Medicines against candidiasis are widely available in the pharmacy chain, but tablets are considered the most effective among them.

Treatment of the disease in women

The most effective treatment for thrush is Fluconazole. This medicine has a strong antifungal effect on the source of infection and helps get rid of the disease in a short period of time. Fluconazole can be taken by women at any age, except in the following cases:

• Pregnancy period;
• Increased sensitivity to the components of the drug.

You can also purchase drugs that are effective analogues of this remedy. It is recommended to treat the disease in women with:

• Diflucan;
• Pimafucin;
• Nystatin;
• Miconazole.

The tablets are ideally absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, which makes it possible to eliminate pathogenic fungus throughout the body.

Tablets against candidiasis for men

Treatment of candidiasis in men involves the gradual elimination of the pathology, that is, first it is important to get rid of the cause of its occurrence.
Only after this, the specialist prescribes medications to the man in the form of tablets, which, due to their effectiveness, stop the source of infection. Elimination of the disease in representatives of the stronger sex is recommended using:

• Medoflukon;
• Forkana;
• Mikosista;
• Diflucan.

Despite their different names, all of these drugs have a similar effect on the fungus, because the main component in them is fluconazole.

Treatment of candidiasis in men can be carried out using drugs from the imidazole group, among which Miconazole and Isoconazole are considered the most effective. A good effect in eliminating candidiasis is achieved by prescribing antibiotics such as:

• Oronazole;
• Levorin;
• Nystatin.

In order for the treatment to give a positive result as soon as possible, it is recommended to combine drug therapy with adherence to a certain diet, and also take care of saturating your body with vitamins.

In addition, an important condition for a speedy recovery is a complete abstinence from drinking alcoholic beverages.

Symptoms of the disease

It is impossible not to notice the infection, since the fungus causes a lot of unpleasant sensations. Symptoms of thrush in men depend on the degree of organ damage.

1. It begins with slight redness of the mucous membranes on the head.
2. Then they begin to itch and become covered with a white coating.
3. The discharge is sticky, has an unpleasant odor, and has a consistency similar to cottage cheese.
4. Urination and sexual intercourse cause burning and sometimes cutting pain.

In case of untimely treatment, the condition worsens. The head of the penis swells, becomes very red and becomes covered with a thick coating. When removing the white mass, small erosions can be noticed. Advanced candidiasis can provoke an increase in lymph nodes in the groin area, as well as an increase in body temperature. The consequences of thrush in men in this case are dangerous: from the development of candidal pyelocystitis to the spread of infection to internal organs, skin, and disruption of the protective function.

Manifestations of thrush in men

In men, superficial candidiasis most often occurs, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Redness of the foreskin.
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane.
• Accumulation of white cheesy coating.

In the absence of timely treatment, there is a high probability of developing blisters, spots and erosions in the genital area. Fungal microflora can penetrate the scrotum or groin, which can lead to the progression of diseases such as candidal urethritis or prostatitis. That is why it is recommended to take preventive measures when having sex. If it is not possible to prevent infection, then medication measures should be taken as early as possible. This will eliminate the likelihood of complications.

Diagnostics

You should definitely visit a specialist to confirm or rule out the disease. It is impossible to treat thrush at random, since the drugs have both positive and negative effects. They destroy infectious agents, but also beneficial bacteria. The result is dysbiosis or indigestion.

They turn to a urologist or venereologist for help. The doctor conducts an examination and then prescribes laboratory tests:

• penis swab;
• microscopic examination of a stained or unstained smear;
• sowing of discharge;
• general blood analysis.

All this helps not only to identify the inflammatory process, but also the resistance of the fungus to drugs. Only after this can you begin treatment for male thrush at home, prescribed by a specialist.

Is it possible to get infected from a partner?

Let's start with the fact that infection with thrush through sexual contact is the most common type of transmission. Most often, this disease affects women, so if you have unprotected sex, you can easily pass it on to a man. Sometimes the symptoms are very weak and the stronger sex does not suspect anything, thereby being infected. That is why, after treating a woman’s illness, it is imperative that the man also resort to preventive measures in order to eliminate all possible risks.

Treatment of candidiasis

Modern medications allow you to get rid of unpleasant sensations within the first day.

1. The initial stage of thrush in men can be easily eliminated with ointments, creams and gels.
2. In advanced cases, you will have to use rectal suppositories or oral medications.
3. Fungus can be treated well with herbal decoctions, but they are not recommended for use without consulting a doctor.
4. The patient's nutrition deserves special attention. The connection between candidiasis and an unhealthy diet has already been proven, so you will have to exclude some foods from the menu at least for a while.
5. In general, you need to change your lifestyle:

• sleep and rest more;
• avoid stress, overload;
• get rid of bad habits;
• maintain personal hygiene.

Treatment of thrush in men with drugs will not bring the desired result if you do not follow basic rules for caring for the genitals.

Use of medications

Pharmacies offer a huge selection of drugs against genital candidiasis. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions, strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of the course. The drug for thrush for men can cause side effects. The most popular groups include the following:

1. Products for external use. Mild forms can be cured by Lamisil, Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Econazole or Pimafucin. It is advisable to first treat the skin with an antiseptic solution, only then apply a thin layer of ointment for men against candidiasis.
2. Capsules for single use. Just one tablet can help if the pathology has not yet become chronic. Patients are prescribed Diflucan, Flucostat. It is important to consider what causes the disease. If candidiasis appears after sex, it is recommended that the same drugs be used by the partner to avoid re-infection.
3. Systemic drugs. In case of chronic form, thrush cream for men will not help. Tablets for internal use containing natamycin are required. The price for them starts from 200 rubles.

Antifungal drugs cannot be chosen independently, especially since they are not always cheap. Treatment can take from 7 days to 2-4 weeks. Sometimes intramuscular injections are required, but only a doctor knows how to treat thrush. After therapy, tests should be repeated to ensure the effectiveness of the medications.

Phytotherapy

Folk remedies (namely herbal medicine) have good results against fungal infections, but they are usually used in conjunction with drugs. People with candidiasis are recommended to drink the infusion several times a day:

• chamomile;
• calendula;
• carnations;
• juniper;
• barberry.

You can simply buy a herbal mixture that contains all the components necessary for recovery. It is worth considering that treating thrush in men with herbs often provokes allergies.

Diet food

Treatment for Candida fungus in a smear in men includes diet. If you consume fast food, alcoholic beverages, processed foods, fatty and spicy foods, you will have to wait a long time for recovery. Products from this list are prohibited:

• chocolate, honey, pastries, cakes and other sweets;
• yeast baked goods, as well as pasta;
• pickled dishes;
• pickles;
• sausages, smoked meats, fatty meats;
• fast food, any semi-finished products;
• fried food;
• alcohol (especially beer);
• ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and other additives.

The menu should contain foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. The diet is not as meager as it might seem at first glance. You can use:

• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• citrus;
• legumes;
• cereals (buckwheat, brown rice, pearl barley, oatmeal);
• natural yoghurts.

It is permissible to add a little red pepper, garlic or spices for variety.

Treatment of candidiasis with folk remedies brings good results:

1. Therefore, it is better to replace coffee and tea with herbal infusions.
2. During the day you should drink freshly squeezed juices and still water.
3. Instead of sweets and pastries, you can eat dried fruits, fresh berries, and bread.
4. Preference is given to dishes steamed, in the oven or boiled in salted water.

Only if all the rules are followed, treatment of candidiasis will bring a positive result.

How to treat thrush in men

When measures to prevent thrush in men and women are not followed, then there is a need for drug therapy. Treatment of both partners for thrush is a mandatory measure to effectively combat candidiasis. That is why a guy and a girl, or a husband and wife, should take medications together. After the end of drug therapy, specialists take control tests to understand whether candidiasis has been cured or not. If necessary, repeated treatment is prescribed.

Sexual partners with candidiasis should take the following medications:

• "Nystatin" This potent drug has a pronounced antifungal and antibacterial effect. The drug quickly suppresses the progression of fungal microflora and relieves the patient of the discomfort caused by thrush. You should take the tablets with caution, in the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Most often, Nystatin is prescribed to husband and wife for frequent relapses of candidiasis. In other cases, you can get by with gentle medications.
• "Pimafucin", "Lomexin" and "Clotrimazole". Ointments and gels are widely used to treat candidiasis in women and men. Local medications help cope with the symptoms of the disease and stop the progression of fungal microflora, preventing the development of complications.
• "Isoconazole" "Metaconazole" and "Pimafucin". Rectal suppositories do not have a negative effect on the body. With their help, you can not only eliminate the symptoms of the disease, but also influence the cause of its development. The active substances that make up rectal suppositories are widely used to treat thrush for women and men.

What should men take for candidiasis? Only an experienced specialist can answer this question. You should not advise your husband or boyfriend to take this or that drug, as this may cause the progression of the disease and the development of dangerous health consequences. At the first symptoms of candidiasis, consult a doctor, undergo joint and comprehensive treatment, and then you will not have to deal with thrush again and again.

The danger of thrush

Men often put off visiting a specialist until the last minute, not wanting to go to an appointment with such a delicate problem. Urogenital fungus can have serious consequences affecting reproductive function. In addition to constant itching, erosion, and swelling, more severe complications appear. The most common is the inflammatory process in the organs of the genitourinary system. Pyelonephritis, urethritis, cystitis are just a small part of this list of complications of thrush.

The disease tends to subside, but this does not mean that it can be eliminated on its own; the person still remains a carrier. Most likely, candidiasis has passed into a latent form, which is dangerous for the prostate gland. In the future, this will negatively affect the conception of a child and potency.

Preventive measures

As a preventative measure, it can be recommended to do the same as during treatment, but without the use of drugs. Proper nutrition, an active lifestyle and regular check-ups with a doctor are the key to excellent health. Men who have recently suffered a fungal infection need to take a vitamin course. It is difficult to get all the necessary elements from food, so it is better to choose vitamins.

It is imperative to observe the rules of personal hygiene. Take a shower at least twice a day, changing your underwear each time. It should be made from natural materials and not cause discomfort. You should be more attentive to the health of your sexual partner, because thrush is transmitted through sexual contact. If you notice a rash, itching, or swelling of the mucous membranes, you should consult a specialist. Symptoms of candidiasis often hide more serious diseases.