The Truth About Male Yeast Infections

Male yeast infection is not a condition you hear too much about. Yeast infections are generally associated with women. After all, the female body has the moist places that yeasts love and their hormones can create the perfect environment for them to flourish.

But you may be surprised to learn then that men are also prone to yeast infections.

These male yeast infections can affect many parts of the body - the skin, nails, mouth, the genitals (such as penile yeast infection) as well as the more serious systemic yeast infection.

So what's the cause of male yeast infection and how does it arise?

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus, usually candida albicans. This is an organism that lives in our bodies. It thrives in the moist warm places such as the mouth, digestive system and genital areas.

Usually yeast lives in harmony with other organisms in our bodies and causes us no problems. These other organisms are the so-called good bacteria that live in our digestive systems and work to help digestion and keep potentially dangerous organisms such as yeasts under control.

In certain circumstances yeasts can spread and result in unpleasant symptoms.
These overgrowths occur for many reasons. A common on is taking too many antibiotics. Taking antibiotics kills the good as well as the bad bacteria in our systems and allows yeasts to flourish.

Men especially at risk for yeast infections include those with diabetes and compromised immune systems. Diabetes provides high levels of sugar that yeasts love while conditions such as HIV lessen our bodies' ability to fight organisms such as yeasts.

In serious cases a condition known as systemic yeast infection arises in which yeasts affect the whole body in a range of unpleasant ways.

What's the best treatment for male yeast infection?

Male yeast infection treatments generally take two forms. The first is the approach of directly attacking the organism with medications creams, gels, herbs etc

The second is the holistic approach of taking care of the whole body in order to prevent male yeast infections. Remember that yeast is always present in out bodies. If our systems are healthy, the yeasts live in harmony with other organisms. It's only when an imbalance occurs that yeast grows out of control and causes us serious health problems.

Ideally if you suffer from male yeast infection, you need to apply both approaches. First attack the yeast, and once it's under control, use a natural regimen to balance your body so that another attack cannot take place.

You need to bear in mind that a male yeast infection can include more than just a penile discharge, rash on the nails, skin or in the groin or growth in the mouth. In the form of a systemic yeast infection, it can impact your quality of life and untreated is potentially dangerous in many ways.

Let's look at male yeast infection symptoms