Although yeast infection in men is certainly not the same thing as a vaginal yeast infection in women. But  it can be equally unpleasant, and male yeast infections can be passed to women during sexual intercourse. In fact, it is possible for couples to pass a yeast infection back and forth.  So, a woman may pass the infection to her partner through unprotected sexual contact, treat her own infection successfully, only to get it back again at a later time.  Therefore, it’s important to treat a yeast infection as one type of sexually transmitted disease – albeit a treatable one – and work together on eliminating the male yeast infection, the vaginal yeast infection, or both simultaneously.

Symptoms of yeast infection in men include itching, irritation, and soreness on the head of the penis; a clumpy, white discharge, similar to that found in a vaginal yeast infection; and redness or blisters on the penis.  The infection can also occur in the pelvic region, especially in the crease where the leg meets the abdomen, or any area that is generally warm and moist.

Yeast infection in men has similar causes to female yeast infections – namely, sexual contact with an infected partner; nonoxynol-9, a spermicide used in some condoms and shown to increase yeast growth; diabetes or otherwise high blood sugar levels; and antibiotics in the bloodstream.

Some men have reported successfully treating their male yeast infection by applying Monistat (vaginal yeast infection cream) directly to the affected areas of the penis.  If common female home remedies are any indication, topical application of plain, unflavored, no-sugar-added yogurt, teatree oil, or garlic may also bring some relief.  However, the best first step would be to see a doctor if a man suspects he might have a yeast infection.