Under normal circumstances penile yeast infections, sometimes known as "Thrush" or "Candida", are relatively mild and respond well to treatment. But there are occasions when yeast infections prove stubborn to treatment, and men are not spared from this problem any more than women are.
Diagnosis
In the first instance it is important to get the proper diagnosis, penile yeast infection symptoms can be remarkably similar to other diseases which are potentially more dangerous.
For example, and depending on the symptoms present, some sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) appear almost identical to a yeast infection, so be careful and if you are in any doubt at all, or if it is your first yeast infection, then seek medical advice.
One strange anomaly is that not all men have any recognizable symptoms at all. They can carry on with their daily lives and be totally unaware that they have a penile yeast infection. This can be a problem with a sexually active couple, as vaginal yeast infections are a common complaint among women, the man can be the cause without knowing it. For this reason, medical advice very often is to treat both partners when a yeast infection keeps recurring.
Symptoms
Penile yeast infection symptoms normally start with an itch, a particularly irritating itch that affects the foreskin and head of the penis. The next progression is a red rash and can be accompanied with inflammation. Ulcer like spots can then appear on the penis head and the foreskin can become dry and flaky. A creamy discharge is also possible as is pain while urinating.
There have been reports of a whole catalog of other symptoms, some of which include headaches, irritability, memory loss, eyesight getting worse, depression and many, many more.
The truth is that, even if these other symptoms are connected with yeast infections, it is not helpful in any way to consider them. These symptoms can be present when there is no yeast infection, so they have no bearing on the diagnosis of yeast infections. If you have these symptoms and, when you cure your yeast infection, they disappear, excellent, just don't confuse things, there is no benefit to be gained.
Causes
A yeast infection is simply an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast naturally occurs in our bodies, it is in our gastrointestinal tract, digestive tract, on our skin. Yeast is all around us, it's even in the air. Yeast becomes a problem only when it gets out of control and turns into an overgrowth, an infection.
Yeast flourishes in warm moist areas of our bodies, and vaginal yeast infections are common in women. Unprotected sex can pass this onto men.
Under normal circumstance our bodies take care of this quite naturally and an overgrowth of yeast doesn't come to anything, but sometimes our systems are out of balance and the bacteria that would normally control the yeast is depleted in some way and a yeast infection is the result.
The spermicide in some condoms have been known to cause yeast infections in both men and women, so even protected sex can actually be a cause.
Diabetes, a lowered immune system and the use of antibiotics and steroids are also known to encourage yeast infections in both sexes.
A bad diet, especially one high in sugar content, can also cause, or prolong, yeast infections.
Treatments
There are 'over the counter' treatments, principally creams, that are usually very effective. These contain drugs, however, and can have side effects. Depending on the severity of the yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe oral medication taken over a specified period of time. There is also a variety of natural remedies that are readily available.
The point is, if you have symptoms that last more than a day or two, then do something about it. Penile yeast infections can escalate and the area infected can grow in size, it can also spread quite rapidly to other areas of your body and become much more difficult to treat, so be careful and seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
So, can penile yeast infections be cured? Yes, but bear in mind all that you have just read and err on the safe side.
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