Yeast infections in men are less common than in women, so you may wonder what causes yeast infections in men.
The causes can be similar to women, but certain aspects of the condition can appear in a different manner in men than in women.
Treatment of this condition is generally similar in both men and women, with both traditional and natural treatment options available for the infection.
Many people will also follow a preventative approach, which can be particularly useful to ensure that there is no recurrence of the infection.
Causes of yeast infection in men The Candida albicans fungus is what causes yeast infections in men, just as in women.
The organism exists in limited amounts on nearly all adults, but the usual balance that is maintained can become disrupted for a number of reasons.
When there is no longer a regular balance to keep the numbers of the organism in check, an infection can develop.
The following are some of the main reasons why Candida infections can develop in men: Intercourse - The Candida fungus can be passed along during intercourse with an infected partner, leading to the development of an infection.
Tight or wet clothing - Candida thrives in the warm, moist areas that can be created by tight or wet clothing around the genital area.
Pre-existing illness - When an illness such as diabetes or another type of pre-existing illness exists, there are two reasons why the organism can develop into an infection.
In conditions such as diabetes, the elevated sugar levels provide an ideal source of nutrients for the fungus to increase in numbers.
With other pre-existing medical conditions, lack of good nutrition, a weakened immune system and stress on the body also provide the opportunity that Candida needs to increase in numbers.
Yeasty foods - in particular beer, can encourage excessive production of the Candida fungus.
Taking antibiotics - If you have been taking a series of antibiotics, the reduction in good bacteria in the intestinal tract leaves a gap that the Candida organism is quick to fill.
This increase in the number of organisms is what causes yeast infections in men.
Signs and symptoms of yeast infection in men To determine if a man has a yeast (Candida) infection, there are particular signs and symptoms that are usually evident.
These can often be less obvious than the signs and symptoms in women, but they will still be present.
We already know that the Candida fungus is what causes yeast infections in men, just as in women.
Similarly, among the symptoms of a Candida infection in a man are stinging and soreness on the genitals, as well as itchiness.
The man may also have some blistering and inflammation of the genitals and there is likely to be some discharge as there may be in a woman with a Candida infection.
Treating male yeast infections To treat an infection, you could use traditional medications and/or natural therapies that will help to alleviate the condition and prevent the recurrence of the infection.
Medication can include the use of oral treatments to help fight the infection, as well as creams or ointments that are designed to reduce the severity of the infection and relieve symptoms such as itchiness and burning.
Natural remedies such as tea tree oil can also help to get rid of the symptoms and causes of the infection, while improved diet and eating foods like yogurt which is rich in naturally good bacteria is also an effective option for treating what causes yeast infections in men.
Understanding what causes yeast infections in men can help someone who has suffered from an infection to take the necessary steps to prevent it from occurring again in the future.
Looking out for the signs of Candida infections and treating them early on can stop the problem from becoming more severe.
And with the use of medication and natural therapies, the symptoms and underlying causes of the yeast infection can quickly be eliminated.