Male thrush treatment

Thrush in men is usually caused by a yeast infection that can be passed on from their sexual partner. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by or passed on during sex.

It’s more common to develop thrush from sex if you have:

• a weakened immune system, such as from chemotherapy or taking certain medications
• diabetes
• taken a long course of antibiotics

Thrush in men is easy to treat. Your symptoms should resolve within a couple of weeks after starting treatment.

Male thrush happens due to a yeast infection caused by the fungus Candida. Candida lives naturally on your body in many different places, like your skin, throat, and intestines.

Drinking too much alcohol, sweating, and eating a lot of sugar can cause thrush in men. Other causes include taking antibiotics or other medications. Sometimes you can get thrush from your sexual partner.

Can a man catch thrush from a woman?

Yes, men can catch thrush from women. Thrush can be passed on through sexual contact, especially in those who have a weakened immune system, but it is not considered an STI as it is not a common occurrence.

Male thrush symptoms are usually harmless but may be uncomfortable. If you have thrush, you may have:

• thick, white penile discharge
• an unpleasant smell around your genitals
• Irritation, redness, or a burning sensation around the head of the penis and underneath the foreskin

Your foreskin might feel tight and difficult to pull back. You might not get all these symptoms, but even having one of these can indicate having thrush.

These symptoms can be similar to having an STI. If you’ve had unprotected sex recently, it’s a good idea to get tested for an STI as well.

What does thrush look like on a man?

When a man has a yeast infection, the skin on the penis will look red and inflamed. The rash may cause the skin to scale over, which means it might look cracked and dry.

If you’ve been itching a lot, the skin can become broken and start to bleed. You may also see a thick, white discharge come out of the tip of the penis or around the head or foreskin.

You can treat thrush in men using antifungal medicines, such as clotrimazole 1% cream. The external symptoms can be soothed using this cream while the internal infection can be treated with a single dose oral capsule.

The antifungal active ingredients in thrush treatment break down the cell membranes of Candida. This stops the fungi from growing, and eventually it dies off.

Keep in mind that antifungal creams may damage condoms or diaphragms. Try to avoid having sex until after the infection has cleared and for around 7 days after using treatment.

Thrush creams for men

Clotrimazole 1% cream

Clotrimazole 1% cream is an antifungal medicine that kills the Candida fungi that causes thrush. You can apply the cream 2 to 3 times a day on the affected areas around your genitals.

Your doctor will let you know how long to use the cream for, but generally you should keep using it for about 2 weeks. The infection might get better before that, but keep using the cream for the full duration to completely treat the infection and stop it from coming back.

Clotrimazole 1% cream is similar to Canesten cream for women.

Daktarin 2% cream

Daktarin 2% cream contains the active ingredient miconazole. Miconazole works in a similar way to clotrimazole and breaks down the cell membranes of fungi. This kills the fungi and prevents them from replicating.

You can apply Daktarin 2 to 3 times a day for around 2 weeks. Gently rub the cream into the affected areas. Try to avoid washing your genitals for at least 30 minutes after the cream has been applied to allow it to absorb into your skin.

Daktarin is also used to treat other fungal skin infections, like athlete’s foot and ringworm.

Daktacort ointment

Daktacort ointment contains miconazole, an antifungal, and a steroid called hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone reduces the inflammation and redness on your skin caused by the infection. Miconazole helps to kill fungi.

You can apply Daktacort ointment twice a day for around 2 weeks. If your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of using the ointment, speak to your doctor.

Daktacort can be more suitable for you if your skin is inflamed and feels like it’s burning or itching. You should not apply Daktacort to broken or bleeding skin.

Thrush tablets for men

Fluconazole capsules

Fluconazole capsules are the only oral treatment available for thrush in men. Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that breaks down the cell membranes of fungi and stops them from growing.

To treat thrush in men, you take 1 fluconazole 150mg capsule as a single dose with a glass of water. Fluconazole can be taken with or without food.

You can take a fluconazole capsule while using a cream or ointment to treat thrush. This way, you’ll treat the root cause of the infection while soothing the external inflammation on the skin.

How long does male thrush take to clear up?

Antifungal medications should clear up the symptoms of thrush, such as itching, within a week. The entire infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days after starting treatment. It is important to continue treatment for the length of time directed to make sure the infection is fully gone.

Can male thrush come back after treatment?

Yes, thrush in men can come back after treatment. This can happen for several reasons, such as:

• having underlying health conditions like diabetes
• not completing treatment
• having a weakened immune system
• having poor hygiene

Obesity or being uncircumcised may also cause thrush to come back, as excess weight and foreskin can create moist environments for thrush to grow. Recurring thrush may also indicate an issue with the body's natural balance of bacteria, so if you are experiencing recurrent thrush, you should speak to your doctor.

It is possible you have thrush if you experience:

• discharge on the penis or foreskin that may look like cottage cheese
• itchy rash or redness on the penis
• difficulty pulling back the foreskin
• pain or discomfort when peeing or having sex

A doctor will examine you and do some tests to see if you have thrush.

Can men get tested for thrush?

Yes, men can get tested for thrush. Your doctor can test for thrush in a few ways. They will usually diagnose the infection based on your symptoms and will do a physical exam to look for signs of thrush. A swab may be taken, and sometimes you may be asked to provide a urine sample for analysis to confirm if you have thrush and to rule out other possibilities.

Sometimes, the symptoms of thrush and an STI can overlap. You may be asked to do an STI test, especially if you’ve had unprotected sex. This is to make sure there’s no other infection that might be causing your symptoms, like chlamydia.

Your doctor will usually diagnose thrush based on your symptoms. They will have a look at your skin. You may sometimes be asked to do a urine test or a swab test.

Sometimes, the symptoms of thrush and an STI can overlap. You may be asked to do an STI test if there’s a possibility you’ve had unprotected sex. This is to make sure there’s no other infection that might be causing your symptoms, like chlamydia.

You can get thrush treatment over the counter at your local pharmacy without making an appointment. Let your pharmacist know if you are taking any other medications as antifungal medicines may interact with them.

You can also request thrush treatment from ZAVA which may be more convenient if you’re unable to get to a pharmacy. We can deliver the treatment in discreet packaging straight to your doorstep, or to a nearby Post Office.

Thrush treatment may cause some side effects. Most of these side effects are temporary and will resolve within a few hours.

After using antifungal creams, you may feel some irritation, burning or redness where you have applied the cream. These side effects are uncommon.

Fluconazole capsules can cause:

• headaches
• feeling or being sick
• rashes

Taking antibiotics or antifungal medications can often make you feel sick. The bacteria living in your digestive system can be disrupted by the medicines and make you feel sick. As fluconazole is a single dose treatment, you should not feel these side effects for very long, if at all.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to thrush treatment, contact 999 immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• swelling of the face, throat or tongue
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• feeling dizzy or faint
• severe rash

Mild thrush can go away on its own as your body will try to fight the infection without treatment. You can help recovery from thrush by following a few steps:

• wear cotton underwear that allows your skin to breathe
• only use water to wash your genitals
• dry yourself properly
• avoid wearing tight trousers
• if sex is uncomfortable, try to avoid it until you feel better

If your symptoms have not gone away by itself after a week, speak to a doctor or pharmacist as you may need treatment.