Thrush is a disease that affects almost every fourth woman. Therefore, the question arises: "Can a man infect a woman with a thrush, and vice versa?" Doctors have long discovered that thrush in a woman’s vagina occurs against the background of the multiplication of fungi on the mucous membranes of a partner. How is infection transmitted? Thrush in men how it looks, how to treat? Let's figure it out.
Disease feature
The causative agent of candidiasis is Candida fungi, due to which the disease has a medical name.
Candida mushrooms appear on the skin, oral cavity, in the vagina in women, and the large intestine in many healthy people. Their number is minimal, so they do not cause great harm to the body. And if their number is actively multiplying, then it is worth talking about the fact of the disease.
Most often, thrush develops in women. This is facilitated by a feature of the physiological structure of the external genital organs, in which it is always moist and warm. Moreover, a woman’s body is prone to bursts of hormones, which also cause the growth of the fungus.
A man’s body does not have such “favorable” conditions for the development of a fungal infection. By nature, men have stronger immunity, which suppresses conditionally active pathogenic microorganisms. In particular, Candida mushrooms.
Men's thrush
Before considering the methods of transmission of thrush, get acquainted with the "male" thrush. Candida fungus actively multiplies on any mucosa, without exception. Not only on the genitals, but also on the intestinal mucosa, in the mouth, etc.
Can a man infect a woman with a thrush? Definitely can. Most often this happens due to promiscuous sex life. When a man often changes partners. Accordingly, his new "lady" may well infect thrush.
Thrush in men how it looks, how to treat? Externally, candidiasis does not occur. Therefore, a man may not even know that for a long time the fungus “lives” on the mucous membranes of the genitals. Only if the immune system is weakening does candidiasis manifest its first symptoms. We will talk about this in more detail below.
The "male" thrush is practically no different from the "female". Burning, itching are typical symptoms. In men, redness may appear on the glans penis and the urethra swells. Sometimes uncharacteristic discharge from the white urethra and granular can form. In advanced form, candidiasis is manifested by severe pain during ejaculation or urination. White "threads" are observed.
Is the man a thrush carrier?
Can a man infect a woman with a thrush? Maybe during unprotected sex. Similarly, a man can become infected by a woman if she has a vaginal thrush.
If a woman has recovered from thrush and after repeated sexual contact the thrush has reappeared, then treatment is required again. In this case, the man should also be treated, taking systemic drugs, even if there are no obvious symptoms.
If the symptoms are manifested brightly (itching, burning, characteristic discharge), then in the treatment it is necessary to use topical preparations - gels, ointments, creams.
If the thrush in a man and a woman is at the same time, then both should undergo treatment.
Who's guilty?
The causative agent of thrush immediately “chooses” the object to be damaged - these are folds of the vagina. Since this body keeps a constant warm temperature, which is comfortable for the development of the fungus. A frequent carrier of candidiasis is a woman. It is characterized by hormonal bursts that provoke the development of thrush. The fungus in the male body is delayed more difficult due to the physiological features of the structure of the genital organs.
A woman can become infected from a man, because the fungus does not pass and the genitals of men. However, this phenomenon occurs during unprotected intercourse.
How is thrush transmitted?
A woman can infect a man with a thrush even with a kiss. However, if the candida fungus is actively developing in the oral cavity.
Thrush is transmitted by oral caress, when a man's oral cavity has direct contact with the mucous membranes of a woman.
Candida mushrooms are transmitted by domestic means. For example, if you use one towel, if a woman has an exacerbated vaginal infection. Thrush can go even if you drink from one cup and brush your teeth with one brush. However, in the event that a fungus develops in the mouth.
Can a man thrush pick up in the pool? Urogenital candidiasis cannot be obtained in a man’s pool. Since bleach is used as a disinfection, the candida fungus simply does not survive in it. However, in pools it is often possible to become infected with candidiasis of nails or periungual ridges.
In a woman, thrush may appear due to exposure to copiously chlorinated water on the mucous membranes of the vagina. Therefore, with the closest sexual contact, she will infect the man. Cases of female thrush after a pool are rare.
Types of candidiasis
According to stubborn statistics, about 10% of men suffered from this disease.
The early stage is asymptomatic, hidden. In the genital area of ​​men, there are such types of thrush:
- candidal cystitis - inflammation of the bladder;
- candida urethritis - a fungal infection affects the urethra;
- balanitis - a condition in which the fungus affects the head of the male member;
- fasting - a disease in which the foreskin is affected;
- balanoposthitis - a condition in which the glans penis and foreskin are affected at the same time;
- skin mycosis - a fungal infection affects the surface of the skin in the inguinal folds, between the fingers and toes.
The symptoms are severe itching and burning.
Where does thrush appear in men?
A man tolerates a fungal infection differently than women. However, the reasons are the same:
- due to prolonged antibiotic treatment;
- with diabetes;
- with a deficiency of vitamins in the body;
- with excess weight;
- with chronic or infectious diseases;
- with congenital phimosis, when the foreskin is elongated and provokes the accumulation and decomposition of smegma;
- if the man has HIV, AIDS or tuberculosis.
Can a man infect a woman with a thrush? Intimacy with the carrier of the infection leads to an increase in the number of candida fungi in a healthy partner.
If his immune system does not cope with the active "invasion", then a person develops thrush.
Symptoms of the initial stage
Consider the signs of thrush in women and men. The following changes occur in the organisms of both partners:
- red spots appear on the head and foreskin of the genital organ / external part of the genital organs;
- the spots are complemented by a cheesy coating;
- spots increase in size, the lesion becomes larger;
- plaque is covered with a film and has a sour unpleasant odor;
- pain during urination and intercourse;
- during the excretion of urine from the urethra, a white liquid is released that looks like sperm (in women, abundant vaginal discharge).
Most often, the first signs in women appear seven days before the onset of menstruation.
The lesion becomes very swollen. Burning and severe itching are typical symptoms of thrush.
If a man has discovered the first symptoms of the disease, then you should not immediately blame the partner. It must be remembered what could provoke a fungal problem. It is important that both partners receive treatment.
How quickly does thrush manifest after infection? The first symptoms make themselves felt on the 3rd-10th day. In men, in the first days after infection, there are no symptoms at all, and if expressed, it is weak. Often a man does not even pay attention to them. After 5-8 days after infection, the symptoms intensify. They cannot be ignored, because unpleasant pain sensations “haunt” both day and night. Even intimacy brings torment - after intercourse, severe pain occurs, ulcers on the penis burst and bleed.
Causes
The causes of thrush in women and men are identical. Consider the causes of candidiasis in men:
- chronic diseases of the digestive system;
- AIDS, tuberculosis;
- immunodeficiency;
- alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking;
- obesity;
- malnutrition, in which there is an abundance of spicy, salty, fried foods;
- stress, depression;
- promiscuous sex life;
- reduced immunity;
- diabetes;
- non-observance of personal hygiene.
A man most often becomes infected with candidiasis if he has a violation of the bacterial natural balance in his body. If a person often suffers from colds, uses antibiotics, then under such conditions thrush may well develop.
How to prevent the development of thrush?
Candidiasis (or thrush) is dangerous because the acute stage of the disease can "migrate" to a chronic form. Perhaps this is the case if the wrong medication is selected or not treated.
In order for both partners not to “bring” each other candidiasis, it is necessary to use protection methods:
- Refuse intimacy during treatment. After taking medication, take tests for the presence of candida fungi in the body.
- If one of the sexual partners has a fungus, then during intercourse you need to use a contraceptive.
- After intimacy, you need to treat the genitals with a special antiseptic. Effectively help Miramistin and potassium permanganate. These substances eliminate candida fungi. However, they must be used in combination with medications.
There are a lot of ways to get thrush. And through the sexual and domestic ways, through household items and contaminated things. Only observing the precautionary measures by both partners will help protect yourself from thrush.
Treatment
It is simply impossible to independently diagnose thrush in yourself. It is necessary at the first suspicion to see a doctor and pass a series of tests. Only on the basis of the results of the tests can a specialist make a diagnosis.
How to quickly cure thrush in men? Treatment should be aimed at restoring the internal forces of the body, and not just against the fungus. So, therapy consists of taking medications (tablets and ointments), dieting and herbal medicine. Chocolate and confectionery, smoked products, marinade and pickles, as well as alcohol, should be excluded from the diet.
Effective drugs for the treatment of thrush: "Fluconazole", "Nystatin", "Itraconazole".
How quickly is thrush treated in women? Complex therapy contributes to a speedy recovery. In addition to medical treatment and a special diet, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene. Synthetic underwear needs to be replaced with natural.
Effects
Thrush is a dangerous disease in that with untimely treatment or the absence of preventive measures, a problem with reproductive function may appear.
If a man did not start treatment on time, then he may develop impotence. For women, a disregard for treatment can lead to infertility and genital diseases, namely:
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- cervical erosion;
- change in the shape of the vagina.
For men, the following consequences of the disease are characteristic:
- cystitis;
- prostatitis;
- infertility.
Men can infect their other half with thrush.
Self-medication is not worth it, because uncontrolled medication will provoke weakening of the immune system and can cause a number of complications. The surest decision is to go to the doctor for an examination. Only with qualified help can you forget about the problem once and for all.