Penile Thrush

Reading Time: 2 minutes

First the Facts

  • Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection
  • It can affect both men and women
  • It is usually easily treated with a short course of antifungal medication
  • It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

How Does Thrush Develop?

  • Thrush is caused by a yeast called Candida. Candida albicans is the commonest type of Candida
  • Candida lives naturally on the skin in most healthy people
  • Overgrowth of Candida can cause symptoms in some people
  • Certain conditions can cause overgrowth of Candida, including:
    • Diabetes
    • Medications such as steroids and antibiotics
    • Conditions affecting the immune systems such as HIV
  • You can also get thrush from unprotected sex with an infected partner

How Will I Know If I Have Thrush?

Symptoms of penile thrush include:

  • Irritation and/or redness affecting the head of the penis (balanitis)
  • A clear or white discharge
  • An offensive smell
  • Itch

How Can I Prevent Thrush?

  • Thrush develops in warm, moist conditions
  • After washing, keep your penis dry and wear loose-fitting underwear, preferably made from cotton
  • Do not use soaps and shower gels when washing your penis
  • Although it is not an STI, if your partner has thrush, you can use condoms to prevent transmission

Where Can I Get Tested?

  • If you are experiencing symptoms for the first time, you should see a doctor or nurse
  • This is because you may need to be tested for other infections that present in the same way
  • You can see a doctor or specialist nurse at:
    • A sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinic
    • A young person’s / contraception clinic
    • Your GP

What Is the Treatment?

  • An anti-fungal capsule (fluconazole) or cream (clotrimazole) can easily treat thrush
  • Treatment only takes a few days and is available from the pharmacy
  • You do not need a prescription
  • Sex is best avoided until you have completed your treatment, to prevent passing the infection back and forth. A condom can split, so it is better to not have sex at all for this time

What Happens If I Get Thrush Again?

  • Thrush can come back at anytime
  • You can treat this yourself with antifungal medication from the pharmacy
  • You should see your doctor if:
    • Your symptoms do not improve after treatment
    • You have more than 4 episodes of thrush per year
  • This is because you may need further tests to identify an underlying cause
  • You may need an extended course of treatment or a different treatment

 

Written by: Dr David Rook and Dr Paula Briggs
Last updated: January 2021

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