Male Yeast Infections

Male Yeast Infections
By Eric Morris


It is a misconception that women are the only ones who can get yeast infections. Men are also susceptible to penile yeast infections, as well as an oral form of yeast infection. Some men are more vulnerable than others to yeast infections, including men with HIV.

Heterosexual couples can also pass a yeast infection to each other through unprotected sex.

Men get yeast infections the same way women do, but under different circumstances. Having unprotected sex with a woman with a yeast infection could pass it on to you. This form of infection is passed between people through direct contact, and is considered a sexually transmitted disease. A woman with yeast infection could infect her partner, treat her own infection, and then get infected again by the man by having sex with him again. It is always smart to refrain from vaginal intercourse during an infection.

Prolonged antibiotic use can also cause you to develop a penile yeast infection, although this form is far less common than sexual transmission. Antibiotics can kill the good bacteria keeping the yeast in check, allowing the infection to take over.

Men with diabetes are also more susceptible to yeast infections, due to the higher levels of sugar in their urine. This environment is ideal for increasing the yeast that is normally present in the groin area. If you have frequent yeast infections due to diabetes, consult your doctor immediately.

Condom use has also been known to contribute to yeast infections in gay men. Condoms that use a lubricant containing nonoxynol-9 have been known to contribute to the development of anal yeast infections. This is very possibly due to the fact that it is also known to develop vaginal yeast infections in women. If this is a problem for you, try using condoms that do not use nonoxynol-9.