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What Is A Penile Yeast Infection?
Penile yeast infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms. You can treat them with over-the-counter and prescription medications, depending on severity. Certain steps like practicing proper hygiene can reduce the risk.
A yeast infection is often thought of as a female health problem, but it can affect anyone, including people with a penis.
A penile yeast infection can lead to a wide range of painful and uncomfortable symptoms if not treated. It can also lead to serious complications if the infection spreads to your bloodstream.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can often clear up a yeast infection. In some cases, you may need prescription medications. Some basic prevention steps can help you avoid this fairly common condition.
Some of the most common symptoms of a penile yeast infection include:
Redness, itchiness, and pain in the penis can be signs of other more serious conditions, like some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so do not ignore symptoms once they appear.
A urologist or primary care doctor can diagnose the condition, often in a single appointment.
A yeast infection is usually caused by a fungus called candida. A small amount of candida is usually present in the body. All it takes is an overgrowth of candida to develop a yeast infection.
A moist environment is ideal for candida to spread, according to 2018 research.
Having sex with a person who has a vaginal yeast infection without using a condom can also cause a penile yeast infection. However, you can also develop an infection without sexual activity.
Aside from sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, several other factors can increase your risk of developing a penile yeast infection, such as:
Once you make an appointment, a doctor will ask you about your symptoms and likely examine your genitals. They may examine some of the white substance that forms on the penis under a microscope to confirm the type of fungus causing the symptoms.
If you cannot get in to see a primary care doctor or a urologist, consider a visit to an urgent care center or an emergency department. The earlier you receive a diagnosis and can begin treatment, the more likely it is you can avoid complications.
It's not recommended for you to diagnose yourself and start treatment on your own. If symptoms of a yeast infection are present, contact a doctor. If symptoms are allowed to persist, complications can be serious.
In most cases, topical antifungal ointments and creams are enough to clear up an infection. Some of the antifungal creams recommended for a yeast infection include:
Most of these are available as OTC medications, which means you will not need a prescription. More serious or long-term infections may require prescription-strength medication.
A doctor may recommend oral fluconazole (Diflucan) and hydrocortisone cream for serious infections, like those that have developed into a potentially serious condition called balanitis.
Most antifungal creams are well tolerated and unlikely to cause any serious side effects. Check the label, however, and ask a doctor and pharmacist what to look out for in case you have a bad reaction.
Recurrent yeast infectionsYeast infections sometimes return after they seem to have been cured. If this happens, your doctor will likely recommend a few weeks of daily treatments followed by a few months of weekly treatments.
In some cases, treatment for recurrent yeast infections can last up to 6 months.
If your infection does not respond well to an antifungal ointment and you are uncircumcised, a doctor may advise you to have an adult male circumcision, according to 2016 research. Though this procedure is usually done on infants, it can be done safely on people of any age.
Diabetes and yeast infectionsFactors like diabetes and a suppressed immune system may contribute to your yeast infection risk, according to 2019 research.
If you have diabetes, work with a healthcare professional to make sure your blood sugar levels are well-managed. If you have a suppressed immune system, a doctor can recommend ways to help keep your immune system as healthy as possible.
If left untreated, a penile yeast infection can lead to some serious complications.
BalanitisOne of the potential complications of a penile yeast infection is balanitis. Balanitis is an inflammation of the head of the penis (glans). Some people experience inflammation of both the glans and the foreskin, known as balanoposthitis.
Diabetes can increase your risk for balanitis.
Without effective treatment, balanitis can lead to scarring of the foreskin. It can also cause adhesions on the penis. It may prevent you from being able to pull your foreskin back, making proper hygiene impossible. A doctor will likely recommend circumcision in these cases.
Balanitis can be painful and make urinating more difficult. If untreated, it can cause swollen and painful glands as well as weakness and fatigue.
Invasive candidiasisA yeast infection may enter the bloodstream. This is known as candidemia or invasive candidiasis.
This is most common in people who wait to receive treatment until the infection has spread beyond the penis. It is also more common in those with weakened immune systems.
If you've been in a hospital and used a catheter to urinate, you may be more likely to face invasive candidiasis. This advanced form of yeast infection is very serious. Medical staff will closely monitor you for any signs of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
You may need oral antifungal medications for several weeks. In some cases, the drugs are administered intravenously.
If your infection is treated early and responds well to antifungal medication, it can clear up within 7–14 days.
If you are sexually active, your partner should also receive treatment for a yeast infection. This prevents them from contracting the infection or passing it back to you.
If you get repeated yeast infections and can rule out causes like hygiene and sexual contact, talk with a doctor about other possible causes. You may have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes.
You can help prevent a penile yeast infection by avoiding sexual contact with a partner who has a yeast infection.
You should also avoid having sex with anyone while you have an active yeast infection, as you could pass the infection back to your partner. This could cause the two of you to pass an infection back and forth.
To lower the risk of getting a yeast infection or passing one along, do the following:
Penile yeast infections are not as common as vaginal yeast infections, but they do occur. They may result from poor hygiene or sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection without using an external condom.
Symptoms include small white patches and redness on the skin as well as itchiness or burning. If left untreated, it can also cause other conditions and complications.
Topical antifungal ointments and creams can typically treat the infection and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Pregnant Jana Kramer Hospitalized For Bacterial Infection In Her Kidneys: 'Couldn't Handle The Pain'
Jana Kramer is on the road to recovery after a scary infection landed her in the hospital. The actress is also seven months pregnant.
After assuring fans that her baby was in good health, Kramer explained that she and fiancé Allan Russell had embarked on a vacation before the youngster's birth, when things went awry. "Well. Our babymoon didn't go as planned," Kramer, 39, wrote to Instagram in a two-part post. "But there were some lessons learned."
The actress explained that she had been experiencing back pain for several weeks, but continued to dismiss it.
JANA KRAMER STARS OVER WITH NEW FIANCÉ AFTER MULTIPLE AFFAIRS WRECKED PRIOR MARRIAGE
Jana Kramer documented her time in the hospital. (Jana Kramer Instagram)
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"So many times (moms especially) just brush off pain because we are the last ones to take care of ourselves. When I posted about my back hurting a week ago I just had chalked it up to pregnancy and didn't tell the doctors because back pain is 'normal' so 'don't be a wimp' is what I thought," she admitted.
The former "One Tree Hill" star says she received a DM (direct message) from a woman who cautioned her that her pain might indicate a problem with her kidneys, but again, Kramer decided to push forward and board her plane to Florida with Russell.
"When we landed I just couldn't handle the pain anymore and I started to feel even more sick so we went to the hospital. Long story short it was a bad bacterial infection that got into the kidneys. This resulted in a 2 day stay in hospital and antibiotics because I let it get passed where I should have," she shared.
Jana Kramer and her fiancé Allan Russell look solemn in the hospital. (Jana Kramer Instagram)
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In the post, Kramer shared pictures from her hospital room where she was hooked up to an IV.
"So. Lesson," she continued. "Listen to ur (sic) body. Ur (sic) not a baby or inconveniencing people. If u (sic) hurt, talk to ur (sic) doctor. Leaving things for too long or not taking care of yourself when ur (sic) not feeling good can become very serious. Also shout out to this amazing man who I begged to go sleep at the beautiful hotel he got for us but instead slept on a pull out chair," she said, thanking Russell.
"Tip... Find u (sic) a man who doesn't make u (sic) feel bad or leave ur (sic) side when ur (sic) not feeling good. Shout out to the nurses at Good Samaritan hospital in west palm. Y'all were the sweetest," she concluded.
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In a separate post, Kramer shared pictures from her vacation, albeit brief. "Upside of not feeling good in Florida… this view," she wrote. "Though it was only one day to enjoy it we soaked up every minute."
Jana Kramer enjoyed some time in West Palm Beach with her fiancé Allan Russell after landing in the hospital with a bacterial infection. (Jana Kramer Instagram)
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Just a few weeks ago, Kramer updated Fox News Digital on her pregnancy.
"The pregnancy has been, you know, up and down," Kramer shared. "There were some scares in the beginning… with the losses I've had in the past. I wasn't sure… if baby was going to be OK. There were things, but again, it's been great. And I'm just kind of staying positive and so grateful," she said.
Kramer has been transparent about her previous infertility struggles, having had two chemical pregnancies and three miscarriages. She shares two children Jolie, 7, and Jace, 4, with ex-husband Mike Caussin.
A representative for Kramer did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to caroline.Thayer@fox.Com.
What Is A Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
There is normally a balance between Candida and other microorganisms in the vagina. When this balance is disrupted, Candida is able to overgrow.
There are several risk factors for developing a vaginal yeast infection. They include:
Hormones. High levels of sex hormones (such as during pregnancy, hormone-replacement therapy or oral contraceptive use) increase the likelihood that Candida will adhere to the vagina and overgrow. High levels of sex hormones also decrease vaginal immune responses.
Antibiotic use. Taking antibiotics kills the good bacteria in the vagina. Elimination of these beneficial microbes means there is less competition for resources, which allows Candida to overgrow.
Weakened immune system. If a person has a weakened immune system – (e.G., HIV), the body does not produce an immune response strong enough to prevent the overgrowth of Candida.
High blood sugars. Uncontrolled diabetes and glucocorticoid (a type of steroid medication) use can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can impair the ability of the body to prevent Candida overgrowth. It can also increase the likelihood that Candida will adhere to the vagina, allowing it to overgrow.
Genetics. Some people are genetically predisposed to getting vaginal yeast infections.
Intrauterine devices. Intrauterine devices (a form of birth control that is inserted into the uterus) act as a reservoir for Candida where they can adhere and form biofilms. Biofilms are a community of microorganisms held together and protected by glue-like materials. They are highly resistant to medications, immune responses and stress.
Spermicide use. Candida are able to feed off one of the compounds used in spermicides, which allows them to adhere to the vagina and overgrow.
Using douches or vaginal sprays. Douching or using vaginal sprays can introduce allergy-causing substances into the vagina. They also wash away the good bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to Candida overgrowth.
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