Male Yeast Infections: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Yeast infections aren’t fun, and people with male or female anatomy can get them. The good news is that they’re very easy to treat.

Balanitis is when the head of the penis gets inflamed, and it’s common. About 1 in 25 boys, and 1 in 30 men will get balanitis over the course of a lifetime. And it can occur at any age. Many different germs can cause balanitis, but yeast is the most common. 

What causes male yeast infections?

Yeast infections are caused by the fungus Candida albicans. The words “yeast” and “fungus” may sound gross. But yeast is actually a normal part of human flora (the collection of organisms that live on all human bodies).  

You might be thinking, if yeast lives on human skin, why don’t people get yeast infections all the time? Well, it all comes down to balance — like a seesaw or scale. Yeast infections only occur when there’s too much yeast compared to other organisms such as bacteria. 

What are risk factors for male yeast infections?

Any man can develop a yeast infection, but certain things increase the risk:

• Being uncircumcised: The warm and moist environment underneath the foreskin encourages yeast to grow. This is especially true if the foreskin isn’t pulled back during bathing to clean the area underneath.

• Tight foreskin that doesn’t easily pull back (phimosis): Of note, phimosis is normal in children and typically goes away around age 5 to 7. 

• Sex with a partner who gets frequent yeast infections: This can make you more likely to devleop a yeast infection.

• Obesity or swelling of the genitals: This can be due to fluid buildup (edema). Extra skin or swelling can make it hard to properly clean the penis.

• Long-term antibiotic use: Antibiotics kill bacteria and upset the balance of flora, allowing yeast to overgrow.

• Diabetes: Diabetes causes high levels of sugar in the body, and sugar encourages yeast to grow. Men who have recurrent yeast infections should be tested for diabetes.

• Weakened immune system: This can occur from a condition like HIV.

What are the symptoms of a male yeast infection?

Male yeast infections typically develop over 3 to 7 days. Symptoms include:

• Itchiness

• Redness or irritation

• Pain or tenderness

• Cottage-cheese-like buildup 

Symptoms affect the head of the penis and/or foreskin, and they may be worse after sexual intercourse.

What symptoms suggest something other than a male yeast infection?

Foul smelling discharge from the tip of the penis is not a common symptom of a male yeast infection. Neither are sores or ulcers on the penis. 

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. If you don’t have a primary care provider, urgent cares or free clinics that offer testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can help, too.

How do you diagnose yeast infections?

Healthcare providers can usually diagnose a yeast infection based on symptoms and examination of the penis. If the diagnosis isn’t clear, a provider might swab the affected area to look for yeast under the microscope. 

If you have a yeast infection and are sexually active, it’s a good idea for your sexual partner(s) to be tested, too.

How do you treat a male yeast infection?

Here’s some good news — it’s easy! Treatment involves two parts: killing the yeast and practicing personal hygiene.

To kill the yeast, options include:

• Antifungal creams, like clotrimazole

• Antifungal pills, like fluconazole (usually for more severe infections)

  To improve penis hygiene:

• Wash the penis daily with warm water and a gentle soap.

• Gently pull back the foreskin (if present) to wash the area underneath while bathing.

Washing the penis properly is one of the best things you can do to prevent male yeast infections in the future.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD

Samantha Shapiro, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist with expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. She founded the division of rheumatology at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

Edited by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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