Male Yeast Infections-Symptoms And Treatment Options

Many are unaware that men can contract a male yeast infection. Since men are built differently from women, the infection may be very hard to spot and only manifests when the condition causes other problems. Most men discover the problem when they are informed their partner has contracted the condition and they are advised to seek treatment of risk re-infecting their partners. The condition, called candidiasis in medical speak, affects many men who remain ignorant of the condition for their entire lives. During sex the male uretha is exposed and it can catch the infection as easily as vaginal tissue. Men are not invulnerable to the symptoms and problems untreated candidiasis can cause. The yeast that causes the infection is called Candida Albicans, and it is present throughout the body in most people. It loves warm dark places where it can thrive and reproduce. Uncircumcised males afford a great home for the yeast in their foreskins as well. Knowledge is the best antidote for any difficulty, so the following information may prove useful. [Symptoms of a Male Yeast Infection] Yeast infection can lead to Balanitis, which is an inflammation of the glans, foreskin or head of the penis. The following symptoms may manifest. Pungent discharge Rashes or white bumps on the penis Pain or soreness of the penis or foreskin Unusual reddening of the penis or foreskin The symptoms of infection can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases and other viral, bacterial or fungal infections. It is not safe to bury your head in the sand and hope the condition will go away, although it often does. STD's can be lifethreatening, but so can yeast infections if they spread. They can attack other bodily organs including the brain if unchecked. Balanitis can also be caused by allergies, especially to skin care products and the latex from condoms. Other causes of balanitis include erythema multiforme, lichen sclerosis and Reiter's syndrome. Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of many infectious agents. In addition to problems asslociated directly with the penis, the following general symptoms may occur. Severe digestive problems are the most common symptom. These physical ailments can also be symptomatic of yeast infections: constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, frequent intestinal gas, bad breath, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, jock itch, athlete's foot and prostate problems. [How Men May Contract a Male Yeast Infection] Unprotected sex with an infected partner is the most common way to contract the infection Male yeast infections take hold more easily when the immune system is weakened or damaged. After antibiotic treatment you may be at-risk because the medication that inhibits bacteria also kills off beneficial organisms that normally fight off yeast within the digestive tract. This allows the yeast to flourish and spread. Your natural immune system may also be weakened by various medical conditions or unhealthy excessive indulgence in alcohol, corn products, wheat products or barley. Diabetes patients may be more at-risk, perhaps because yeast organisms feed off excess sugar in the blood. [Home Remedies] There is an effective home test you can perform to determine if you have a yeast infection. Set a glass of water on your bedside table overnight. When you wake, spit twice in the glass. Wait fifteen minutes. If the spit dissipates or dissolves in the water, you do not have a yeast infection. If it becomes cloudy, develops strings or sinks to the bottom in a glob, then it is possible you have contracted an infection. If visible sediment sinks to the bottom of the glass after 30 minutes, then you have parasites and they must be dealt with before treating any yeast infection. Some home remedies to treat yeast infections include the following. Yogurt can be spread over the infected area of the penis. Cool yogurt not only addresses the inflammation and itch, but also provides competing organisms to fight the dangerous yeast. You can also ingest yogurt daily, at least one cup. The beneficial bacteria will battle yeast in your digestive tract. You should continue eating plain yogurt for one week after symptoms disappear. Probiotic tablets can be taken if you are lactose intolerant Tea tree oil can also be rubbed on the infected area. It should be diluted because it can burn and should only be applied externally. Cranberries are excellent to fight off the yeast. You can eat them whole, dried, in cranberry sauce or drink lots of juice, which is

probably the best method. Avoid juice with added sugar, since this can feed the yeast. Crushed garlic may be applied in the same manner. Oral sex should be temporarily eliminated. Herbal remedies can be taken internally or made into a paste and applied externally. Some effective products include chamomile, Goldenseal, black walnuts and licorice. [Prevention of Male Yeast Infection] The first and most important step is to avoid unprotected sex with an infected partner. If home remedies do not control the problem, you will need to buy over-the-counter or prescription anti-fungal medication. The same products that work for women will work for men. That said, the very best treatment is to avoid contracting an infection in the first place. Some preventive steps you can take include the following. Exercise good personal hygiene. Clean and dry the area between the foreskin and head. Circumcised men rarely get the condition because the head of the penis remains cool and dry. Yeast thrive in a warm, moist dark environment. Diet can play a big role. Garlic and yogurt can help control competing yeast in the digestive tract. Avoid excess wheat, corn and barley, which may carry natural strains of yeast that cause infection. Avoid excess alcohol and sugar, since they provide fuel for yeast growth. Dried cranberries make a good snack and regular doses of cranberry juice e will help prevent yeast from gaining ground. It is impossible to eliminate yeast entirely from the system, but you can keep them under control by exercising some common sense habits. Developing an awareness of the possibility of “Male Yeast Infection” is the most important step you can take. For More Information On Male Yeast Infections, Male Yeast infection Symptoms, and Home Remedies for Male Yeast Infections, please visit http://www.CandidaInfo.org