How to treat thrush in men? This is a common question. We will understand in this article.
If a man has a strong immune system, there are no chronic diseases, he adheres to proper nutrition, tries to lead a proper lifestyle and has a constant partner - the possibility of his thrush appearing is practically reduced to zero. But not every man can boast of excellent health and not everyone can adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
The causes of thrush in men are of interest to many.
Features of the disease
It is known that the causative agent of such fungal diseases are fungi of the species Candida, or Candida albicans, which are causative agents of the conditionally pathogenic microflora of human organisms and are located on all mucous membranes - in the intestine, in the oral cavity and on the mucous genital organs. Manifestation of candidiasis in men can occur if favorable conditions for the development of fungal colonies are formed, after a person has been infected, or this occurs against a background of weakened immunity. According to statistics, cases of the occurrence of symptoms of thrush in men, in whom they are stronger and constantly disturbing, are detected much less frequently than in women.
The anatomical features of the female body are such that the reproduction of fungi in the vagina manifests itself much more actively, even with the most minor provocative factors. In men, in turn, the genitals are built so that candidiasis can develop with great effort on the male genital organs. Due to the fact that women suffer from thrush more often than men, and often the disease is asymptomatic or asymptomatic, if one constantly contacts a woman who has chronic thrush, a man can also become infected. And whether a thrush will develop in a man with signs, characteristic symptoms and consequences depends on the body's immune system and other circumstances that may provoke it.
Whether thrush is transmitted from woman to man, not everyone knows.
Causes of infection in men
If a man has candidiasis, then this should be considered as one of the indicators of a violation in the immune system and, in general, the immunodeficiency state of the body. With the infection of a healthy man and in the presence of strong immunity, self-healing or quick treatment occurs if antimycotic drugs are used. The chance of developing complications and chronic candidiasis increases in men with a weak immune system, in which case you need to be constantly monitored by a doctor, and in case of complications, inpatient treatment is necessary.
Provocative factors
There are factors leading to the appearance of thrush in men:
- The lack of vitamins and minerals.
- Anemia, blood diseases and cancer, in the treatment of which immunity is reduced.
- Severe hypothermia.
- Severe stress, prolonged psycho-emotional stress.
- Various endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, decreased glucose). Diabetes mellitus in men often comes along with hyperhidrosis, during which the skin is almost always moist, which can contribute to the active growth of fungi.
- The use of antibiotics in the treatment of other diseases, their long-term use, including the use of steroid hormones (corticosteroids).
- Excessive insolation, meaning abuse of tanning beds and tanning - radiation doses are considered extremely harmful.
- Metabolic disorders, overweight, obesity. With an excess of subcutaneous fat, the infection has a significant chance of development, because a more suitable environment is formed there.
Is thrush transmitted from woman to man? Yes, of course.
Symptoms and signs
In 10-15% of men, candidiasis is not accompanied by any signs, that is, it develops asymptomatically. But others still have manifestations of this disease. Thrush in men can be located not only on the genitals, it can also affect the skin and oral cavity. The main symptom of a fungal infection is the occurrence of skin candidiasis or candidal stomatitis, which may indicate primary or secondary immunodeficiency. Thrush tablets for men will be considered below.
When a man manifests primary symptoms, it may be candidiasis or a combination of thrush with other undetected sexually transmitted infections. The most pronounced and vivid signs of candidiasis in men are:
- burning and itching of the genital organ (may be periodic and permanent);
- edema and inflammation of the foreskin head;
- pain during erection, pain during and after intercourse;
- thick gray-white coating with a sour smell;
- burning and pain during urination.
Symptoms of thrush in men also depend on the type of pathology.
Candidiasis balanoposthitis
With redness of the head of the penis, balanitis is detected, with damage to the inner leaf of the foreskin - the so-called post. Their combination is called "balanoposthitis" - it can be triggered by candida fungi or be combined with other sexually transmitted infections, such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, genital herpes, chlamydia. So if you find symptoms of inflammation of the glans penis, you need to contact a urologist, venereologist, dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
The characteristic signs of balanoposthitis with thrush are:
- swelling of the head and foreskin;
- sour characteristic odor;
- the appearance of a mushy white-gray substance on the head of the penis or white-gray plaque on the head or foreskin, when eliminated, bleeding erosion opens;
- pain, itching, burning, obvious hyperemia (redness) of the skin in the genital area;
- increased libido due to constant irritation of the nerve ending in the affected area, but at the same time sexual intercourse or psychological discharge causes pain, discomfort, discomfort.
The causes of thrush in men are very diverse.
Candidiasis urethritis
Candida urethritis is a fungal infection of the mucous membrane of the urinary tract in men. In such cases, most of the symptoms resemble acute gonorrhea. In addition to the above main symptoms, such as itching, redness, swelling, frequent urination also appears, with pain and burning, the urine may become cloudy with a splash of blood or with strong secretions of mucus. Also, a man may notice in his morning thick white mucous secretions with elongated threads. In order to prevent prostatitis and vesiculitis, you need to go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Still how is thrush manifested in men?
Candidiasis pyelocystitis
This type is considered a more difficult option for the development of thrush, since a fungal infection affects the urinary tract: bladder, kidneys - and cystitis, pyelonephritis is manifested. With such a pathology, the general condition may worsen, the temperature may rise, pains may occur not only during urination and sexual intercourse, but also in the region of the kidneys and bladder. Candidiasis pyelocystitis can usually be caused not only by a single pathogen, but it can often be provoked by mixed infections, to which other pathogens join - gonococci, protea, enterobacteria, chlamydia, protea, Klebsiella, E. coli.
We will figure out how to treat thrush in men.
Candidiasis Treatment
Each treatment should be started according to the results of diagnostic data, which are confirmed by laboratory tests, since it is impossible to establish a diagnosis only because of the signs and symptoms of thrush and also to self-medicate, because often, with the onset of candidiasis, other previously dozing sexual infections begin to occur. It is also important if there is a regular partner and no condoms are used during sexual intercourse with her, then it is also necessary to examine the woman, and only then prescribe simultaneous treatment to both partners.
Preparations for the treatment of thrush in men are now very diverse.
If only candidiasis is detected in the test results, then its treatment can be local (antifungal ointments, creams), and with the use of systemic antifungal drugs in tablets. This takes into account the severity of thrush in men, symptoms and the duration of the inflammatory process. If, after treatment, candidiasis returns again after some time, it means that either the man has weak immunity or his sexual partner has thrush and does not use a condom during intercourse.
If there is chronic thrush or the immunity of a man is greatly weakened with constant antibiotic treatment, then fungal infections will show resistance and no drugs can help. Therefore, in case of chronic candidiasis, a man should not rely on the destruction of the fungus only by the medical method, it is necessary to abandon any unprotected sex, change his diet, quit bad habits, change his lifestyle and engage in strengthening immunity.
What else is needed for effective treatment of thrush in men?
Nutrition and herbal medicine
The most important factor that provokes thrush is human nutrition. If most of the daily food is fast carbohydrates, such as pastries, sweets, confectionery and bakery products, chocolate and other sweets, then for fungi it is a wonderful breeding ground for further development. Thrush treatment will be much easier if these products are reduced or eliminated, and vegetables - cabbage, beets, carrots and dairy products - will prevail in the diet.
It is also necessary to limit heavily salty, pickled, smoked foods, alcohol. One of the most effective herbal medicinal herbs for combating yeast-like fungi is a pharmacy chamomile, calendula, barberry, clove. These infusions and herbs, which need to be prepared in the form of fees or separately, are treated by the external genitalia, made from them baths and herbal applications. Chamomile is very useful, it can also be used as a phytotea inside, it has an anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect.
Drugs for treating thrush in men can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, but self-medication is very dangerous.
Normalization of the intestines
One of the main factors in the appearance of thrush in men, the symptoms of which can be very significant, is intestinal dysbiosis. It can occur due to the same malnutrition, be the result of food poisoning, as well as prolonged stress, taking antibiotics. In addition to examining genitourinary infections, an analysis of feces should be carried out for dysbiosis, especially if a man has diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence. If dysbiosis is detected, the doctor may prescribe probiotics and prebiotics, for example:
- Hilak Forte
- RioFlora Immuno;
- Acipol.
So, how to treat thrush in men?
Antifungal agents
The most basic antifungal drugs for treating thrush in men are these drugs:
- Econazole - cream "Ecodax" and "Ifenek."
- Miconazole - spray "Dactarin", cream "Mycoson".
- Clotrimazole for men from thrush - creams "Kanesten", "Kandizol", "Imidil", "Kandibene", "Triderm", "Fungal", "Fungitsip", "Amiklon".
- Ketoconazole - Mikoket ointment, Dermazole cream, Oronazole tablets, Sebozol ointment, Fungavis tablets, Fungistab tablets, Mykozoral ointment Nizoral cream.
Thrush tablets for men should be taken exclusively as directed by a doctor. Ointments and creams should be applied twice daily after taking a shower. The duration of therapy, as well as the need to take oral antifungal drugs in tablets (Irunin, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole), their dosage and course are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the form of the disease and its severity.
Thrush ointment for men should also be used according to the instructions.
Personal hygiene
In addition to the use of various external means, changing nutrition, it is also necessary to follow the basic rules for body care and observe intimate hygiene. Immediately, when a man begins treatment for thrush, he needs to change underwear for a new one or he should boil already existing one, underwear should be natural, cotton and sufficiently free. If possible, refrain from sexual intercourse during treatment with ointment for men from thrush. You also need to refuse to take a bath and use only a shower. Do not use any body care products while washing the external genital organs; after a shower, it is necessary to wipe the genitals well and dry.
How thrush appears in men is now known.
General recommendations
A man must abide by some rules:
- try to comply with the principles of healthy eating;
- to eat as much as possible saturated with live bacteria yoghurts;
- if possible, consume more garlic, red pepper and lingonberry;
- exclude yeast cakes, beer and sweets from food;
- it is useful to drink fruit drinks from rose hips and decoctions of chamomile;
- exclude casual sexual intercourse;
- adhere to the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not take hot baths;
- during treatment, you can not use shower gels and flavored products;
- wear underwear made from natural fabrics;
- monitor your weight;
- it is advisable to abandon an intimate life for the duration of treatment, to conduct treatment together with a sexual partner;
- Follow your doctor’s advice.
Without proper treatment, the fungus can affect the urethra. And if it enters the bloodstream, it can affect any organ. With timely initiation of therapy, the guarantees of successful recovery increase.
We examined how to treat thrush in men.