Thrush is a yeast infection (also called candida) and is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus called Candida albicans. It's usual to find it living in and around the body where, provided it's kept in check by good bacteria, it causes no harm.
Anything that destroys the good protective bacteria will allow the thrush to proliferate. For example, when someone takes antibiotics for an infection the antibiotics may not discriminate between the good and the bad bacteria and will knock out both types. If you're a bit rundown and your immune levels are low then the thrush may also get on top of you. Thrush that keeps coming back despite treatment may be a sign of diabetes and this should be tested for by your doctor.
Men with a foreskin are more likely to suffer because the warmth and moisture underneath encourages growth of the fungus.
Those men who know they can get thrush invariably believe it's sexually transmitted. Most experts say this isn't usually the case but it's possible. Very often it develops in men who are not sexually active.
Triggers for thrush
1. antibiotics
2. low immune levels
3. diabetes
4. sex
What are the symptoms?
Inflammation of the head of the penis (balanitis) is the most common problem. It becomes red and sore, and irritation and itching are common. Little red spots may also appear there and a penile discharge may occur. A collection of material (smegma) under the foreskin that looks like cottage cheese and smells a bit yeasty is often present.
It may not cause any symptoms at all. However, if your partner is being treated for thrush, there's a good chance you could have it too.
How is it treated?
If you're having any of these symptoms for the first time then it's best to get them checked out with the doctor to confirm that it is thrush and not another infection.
Good hygiene and saline bathing helps, and keeping under the foreskin dry is essential.
If you've had it before and you know what it is then you can get an anti-fungal cream (clotrimazole) from the pharmacist without a prescription. Keep applying the cream for as long as it takes to clear up the symptoms and then for one week more.
When one partner is having treatment then the other should be treated at the same time or else the infection just gets passed back again. During treatment sex should be avoided if possible, otherwise use a condom.
A well-balanced diet low in fats and sugar together with a healthy lifestyle of regular activity and enough rest should help prevent a recurrence.
The golden rule, of course, is that if treatments fail to solve the problem or you're worried then go to your GP, practice nurse or the local genito-urinary clinic (previously known as the VD clinic) for advice.
This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in May 2005.
First published in October 1997.
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