How to treat thrush in men? This is a common question. Let's figure it out 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 correct lifestyle and has a constant partner - the possibility of developing thrush in him is practically reduced to zero. But not every man is able to boast of excellent he alth and not everyone can adhere to a he althy 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 Candida species, or Candida albicans, which are pathogens of the opportunistic microflora of human organisms and are located on all mucous membranes - in the intestines, in the oral cavity and on the mucous genital organs. The manifestation of candidiasis in men canoccur in the event of the formation of favorable conditions for the development of fungal colonies, after a person has been infected, or it occurs against the background of a weakened immune system. According to statistics, cases of symptoms of thrush in men, in whom they are more severe and disturbing all the time, are found much less frequently than in women.
The anatomical features of the female body are such that the reproduction of fungi in the vagina is much more active, even with the most minor provoking factors. In men, in turn, the genitals are built in such a way that candidiasis can develop on the male genital organs with great effort. Due to the fact that women suffer from thrush more often than men, and often the disease is asymptomatic or asymptomatic, if you constantly contact 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 it has that can provoke it.
Whether thrush is transmitted from a woman to a 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 immunity and, in general, an immunodeficiency state of the body. When a he althy man is infected and in the presence of strong immunity, self-healing or rapid treatment occurs if antimycotic drugs are used. The chance of developing complications and chroniccandidiasis increases in men with a weak immune system, in which case you need to constantly be under the supervision of a doctor, and if complications occur, inpatient treatment is necessary.
Provoking factors
There are factors that lead to thrush in men:
- Lack of vitamins and minerals.
- Anemia, blood diseases and cancers that reduce immunity when treated.
- Severe hypothermia.
- Severe stress, prolonged psycho-emotional stress.
- Various endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes, low 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 the abuse of solarium 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 developing, because a more suitable environment is formed there.
Can thrush be passed from woman to man? Yes, definitely.
Symptoms and signs
In 10-15% of men, candidiasis is not accompanied by any signs, that is, it develops asymptomatically. But others stillthere are 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 fungal infection is the occurrence of skin candidiasis or candidal stomatitis, which may indicate primary or secondary immunodeficiency. Thrush pills for men will be discussed below.
When a man shows primary symptoms, it may be candidiasis or a combination of thrush with other undiagnosed sexual infections. The most pronounced and striking signs of candidiasis in men are:
- burning and itching of the penis (may be intermittent and permanent);
- swelling and inflammation of the head of the foreskin;
- pain during erection, pain during and after intercourse;
- thick gray-white coating with a sour smell;
- burning and pain when urinating.
Symptoms of thrush in men also depend on the type of pathology.
Candidal balanoposthitis
When the head of the penis is reddened, balanitis is detected, when the inner leaf of the foreskin is damaged, the so-called postitis. Their combination is called "balanoposthitis" - it can be triggered by Candida fungi or combined with other infections that are sexually transmitted, 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.
Characteristic signs of balanoposthitis with thrush are:
- edema of the head and foreskin;
- sour characteristic smell;
- appearance of a mushy white-gray substance on the head of the penis or a white-gray plaque on the head or foreskin, upon elimination of which bleeding erosion opens;
- pain, itching, burning, obvious hyperemia (redness) of the skin in the area of the penis;
- increased libido due to constant irritation of the nerve ending in the affected area, but at the same time sexual intercourse or psychological relaxation causes pain, discomfort, discomfort.
The causes of thrush in men are very diverse.
Candida urethritis
Candida urethritis is a fungal infection of the mucous membrane of the urinary canal in men. In such cases, most of the symptoms resemble acute gonorrhea. In addition to the above main signs, such as itching, redness, swelling, frequent urination also appears, with pain and burning, the urine may become cloudy with blood or strong mucus secretions. Also, a man may notice thick white mucous discharge with elongated threads in his mornings. In order to prevent prostatitis and vesiculitis, you need to go to the doctor as soon as possible.
How else is thrush manifested in men?
Candida pyelocystitis
This type is considered a more difficult option for the development of thrush,since a fungal infection affects the urinary tract: the bladder, kidneys - and cystitis, pyelonephritis is manifested. With such a pathology, the general condition may worsen, the temperature may rise, pain may occur not only during urination and sexual intercourse, but also in the region of the kidneys and bladder. Candidal pyelocystitis can usually be caused not only by a single pathogen, but often it can be provoked by mixed infections, which are joined by other pathogens - gonococci, Proteus, Enterobacteriaceae, chlamydia, Proteus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli.
Let's figure out how to treat thrush in men.
Candidosis treatment
Each treatment should be started according to the results of diagnostic data that are laboratory-confirmed, since it is impossible to establish a diagnosis only due to the signs and symptoms of thrush and also self-medicate, because often when candidiasis appears, other, previously dormant sexual infections begin to occur. It is also important, if there is a permanent partner and condoms are not used during sexual intercourse with her, then it is also necessary to examine the woman, and only then prescribe simultaneous treatment to both partners.
Drugs 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 both local (antifungal ointments, creams), and using systemic antifungal drugs in tablets. This takes into account the severity of thrush in a man,symptoms and duration of the development of the inflammatory process. If candidiasis returns after a while, it means that either the man has a weak immune system, or his sexual partner is sick with thrush and a condom is not used during intercourse.
If there is chronic thrush or a man's immunity is severely weakened with constant antibiotic treatment, then fungal infections will show resistance and no drugs can help. Therefore, in chronic candidiasis, a man should not count on the destruction of the fungus only by medication, it is necessary to abandon any unprotected sexual intercourse, change your diet, give up bad habits, change your lifestyle and start strengthening your immunity.
What else is needed to effectively treat 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 this is a wonderful breeding ground for further development. Treatment of thrush will be much easier if these foods are reduced or eliminated, and vegetables - cabbage, beets, carrots and dairy products - prevail in the diet.
It is also necessary to limit heavily s alted, pickled, smoked foods, alcoholic beverages. One of the most effective herbalmedicinal herbs to combat yeast-like fungi are pharmacy chamomile, calendula, barberry, cloves. With such infusions and herbs, which need to be prepared in the form of fees or separately, the external genital organs are treated, baths and herbal applications are made from them. Chamomile is very useful, it can also be used as a herbal tea inside, it has an anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect.
Medications for treating thrush in men can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription, but self-medication is very dangerous.
Normalization of bowel function
One of the main factors in the appearance of thrush in men, the symptoms of which can be very significant, is intestinal dysbacteriosis. 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, feces should be analyzed for dysbacteriosis, especially if a man has diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, and flatulence. If dysbacteriosis is detected, the doctor may prescribe probiotics and prebiotics, for example:
- Hilak Forte;
- RioFlora Immuno;
- Acipol.
So, how to treat thrush in men?
Antifungals
The most basic antifungal drugs for treating thrush in men are these drugs:
- Econazole - Ecodax and Ifenek cream.
- Miconazole - spray "Daktarin", cream "Mikozon".
- Clotrimazole for men from thrush - creams "Kanesten", "Kandizol", "Imidil","Kandibene", "Triderm", "Funginal", "Fungitsip", "Amiclon".
- Ketoconazole - Mycoket ointment, Dermazol cream, Oronazol tablets, Sebozol ointment, Fungavis tablets, Fungistab tablets, Mycozoral ointment, Nizoral cream.
Thrush pills for men should only be taken as directed by a doctor. Ointments and creams should be applied twice every day 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 as directed.
Personal hygiene
In addition to the use of various external products, changing the diet, it is also necessary to follow the basic rules for caring for the body and observe intimate hygiene. Immediately, when a man begins treatment for thrush, he needs to change his underwear to a new one or boil the existing one, the underwear should be natural, cotton and loose enough. 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 genitalia, after a shower, wipe the genitals well and dry.
How thrush manifests itself in men is now known.
Generalrecommendations
A man must follow some rules:
- try to follow the principles of a he althy diet;
- eat as many bacterial-rich yogurts as possible;
- eat more garlic, red pepper and lingonberries if possible;
- exclude yeast baked goods, beer and sweets from the diet;
- useful to drink rosehip fruit drinks and chamomile decoctions;
- exclude casual sex;
- keep personal hygiene;
- do not take hot baths;
- do not use shower gels and scented products during treatment;
- wear underwear made from natural fabrics;
- monitor your weight;
- it is advisable to give up intimate life for the duration of treatment, carry out treatment together with a sexual partner;
- follow the doctor's advice.
Without proper treatment, the fungus can affect the urinary system. And if it enters the bloodstream, it can affect any organ. With timely therapy, the guarantees of a successful recovery increase.
We looked at how to treat thrush in men.
