Male Yeast Infection - Causes

A male yeast infection is caused by the same organism that causes vaginal yeast infections in women, oral thrush, and diaper rash – Candida albicans.

Candida is a tiny one-celled yeast that lives on the skin and in the intestines of at least 80% of all people. Fortunately, the yeast rarely causes anyone any problems, but when conditions are just right for it, it morphs into its infectious form – and then the itching starts.

A male yeast infection shows up as an itching, red rash on the penis. While the infection is occasionally shared among sexual partners, it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Your doctor will prescribe a topical cream to use on the infected area, and it should clear up within a week.

Once their current itchiness and rash is gone, most people would prefer to never get another yeast infection. To protect yourself, keep your penis clean and dry, particularly under the foreskin. Yeast loves to live in moist, warm areas that don’t get aired out very often. Since the yeast is more than happy to live on other areas of your body as well, such the area around your anus and under your armpits, you’ll want to keep those areas clean and dry, too.

Your doctor may suggest an absorbent powder to help keep your perspiration from maintaining a nice snug home for yeast.

There are several other things that can increase the risk of a yeast infection. The use of antibiotics, for instance, can reduce the numbers of beneficial bacteria in your body and on your skin, and this can lead to an overgrowth of yeast. Fortunately, the bacteria come back again, and things will eventually go back to normal. To speed things up, add a cup of unsweetened yogurt to your diet every day. Some commercial brands of yogurt don’t help, so be sure the yogurt container’s label says it contains “active cultures.”

If you seem to get an infection every time you have sex, you and your partner could be sharing your yeast back and forth. Or, you could be using a condom that contains a spermicide that kills off your beneficial bacteria. Check the label, and if it says “spermicide” anywhere on the package, consider switching to another brand.

Changes in your hormone balance can also increase the risk of a male yeast infection. Men are affected by fewer hormone swings than women, but if you’re overweight, your fat cells could be causing your yeast infection. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, which causes your body to produce more insulin in response to rising glucose levels in the bloodstream. Since insulin is a hormone, insulin resistance can increase your risk of yeast infections.

Of course, insulin resistance also increases your risk of diabetes, which is a considerably more serious condition than a Candida outbreak. If you’re overweight and you get yeast infections, get yourself to a doctor and ask for a thorough checkup – it could save your life.

The overall best “cure” to keep male yeast infections from coming back is to eat a good diet that is low in sugar and fat, get plenty of exercise, and keep yourself clean and dry.

© 2006 - 2008 Jonni Good | All Rights Reserved
1311 V Ave
La Grande, OR 97850
Site Map | Contact Us | Candida | Causes | Prevention
Yeast Infection Symptoms | Treatment for Candida Infections
Stop Sugar Cravings | Stop Chronic Yeast Infections
Healthy Diet for Candida | Your Yeast Infection Home Page

Disclaimer: The information presented on this page and other pages on this site is based upon the opinions of the author, and on the author's interpretation of published reports and articles. It is not intended to replace your relationship with a qualified health care professional, and is not intended as medical advice.

The author encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon knowledge of the issues of nutrition and health, and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.