Thrush isn't just something women get. Male thrush is a common yeast infection that can leave the head of your penis red, itchy and sore.1 It's not usually serious, and it tends to clear up with the right antifungal treatment.
This guide covers what thrush in men looks like, why it happens and how it's treated. We'll also look at the conditions it's easily mixed up with, and what to do if it keeps coming back.
What is male thrush?
Thrush is caused by a yeast called candida. It lives on most people's skin without causing any trouble.
Problems start when the balance on your skin shifts and the yeast grows more than it should. It likes warm, moist places, which is why the head of the penis and the skin under the foreskin are common spots.1
So, can men get thrush? Yes. It's less common than in women, but plenty of men get it. Doctors often call it candidal balanitis. "Balanitis" just means inflammation of the head of the penis.
Thrush isn't classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But sex can trigger it, and less often it can be passed on during sex.1
What are the symptoms of thrush in men?
Male thrush symptoms usually show up on the head of the penis and under the foreskin. The NHS lists the main ones as:
- Irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- A white discharge that looks a bit like cottage cheese
- An unpleasant smell
- Difficulty pulling back your foreskin
Thrush can also affect other warm skin folds, like the groin, armpits and the skin between your fingers. There, it usually shows up as a red, itchy rash that can scale over.1
Worth knowing: on brown and black skin, the redness can be much harder to spot. Itching, soreness and discharge may be the clearer signs.
And some men get no symptoms at all.1
What causes male thrush?
How do men get thrush? Usually, something shifts the balance on your skin and lets the yeast overgrow.1 Common triggers include:
- Taking antibiotics
- Irritated or damaged skin, for example from soaps or shower gels
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- A weakened immune system, for example because of HIV or chemotherapy
- Sex with a partner who has thrush
Warmth and moisture play a part too. Tight underwear, not drying properly after a shower, and a foreskin that traps moisture all give the yeast somewhere comfortable to grow. Balanitis is far more common in men who haven't been circumcised.2
Some type 2 diabetes medicines, called SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin is one), work by passing extra sugar out in your urine. Genital thrush is a known side effect.3 If you've started one and noticed symptoms, mention it to your prescriber. Do not stop taking it without speaking to them first.
Is it thrush or something else?
A sore, red penis isn't always thrush. A few other conditions look similar, and some need completely different treatment.
- Other types of balanitis - irritation from soaps, a bacterial infection, or a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis can all cause redness and swelling.2
- Genital herpes - usually causes small blisters that burst and leave painful sores, rather than a white, cottage cheese-like discharge. Our genital herpes hub covers the signs in more detail.
- STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea - can cause a discharge from the tip of the penis and pain when you pee.
That's why the NHS recommends seeing a GP or sexual health clinic the first time you get symptoms.1
It's also worth getting checked if your partner doesn't have thrush, or if you have sores, blisters, discharge from the tip of your penis or pain when you pee. These are all reasons the leaflet for fluconazole tells men to speak to a doctor first.4
How do you treat thrush in men?
Male thrush treatment usually means an antifungal cream, a capsule, or both. Thrush should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment.1
If you've had thrush diagnosed before and you recognise the symptoms, you can get antifungal treatment from a pharmacy. For a wider look at the options, see our complete guide to treating thrush.
Clotrimazole cream
Cream is usually the first choice for thrush on the penis. Clotrimazole 1% cream, the same active ingredient as Canesten Cream, is licensed for candidal balanitis.5
Apply a thin layer two or three times a day and rub it in gently. For thrush, keep going for at least two weeks, even if things look better sooner.5 Stopping early gives the yeast a chance to come back.
A stronger 2% clotrimazole cream (Canesten Thrush External Cream) can also be used on the penis. It's applied two or three times a day for up to two weeks.6
Fluconazole capsule
Fluconazole is an antifungal you swallow. For genital thrush, it's a single 150mg capsule.7
It's mainly used when a cream isn't suitable, or for men whose partner is being treated for thrush at the same time.4,7 Some men use a cream alongside it to calm the itching.
Fluconazole can interact with other medicines, including some statins, blood thinners and heart medicines. Tell the pharmacist or prescriber about everything you take before using it.4
Side effects
Both treatments are usually well tolerated, but side effects can happen:
- Headache - common with fluconazole.4
- Stomach upset - abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are common with fluconazole.4
- Rash - common with fluconazole. Speak to a doctor if you develop a rash after taking it.4
- Skin irritation - clotrimazole cream can cause itching, burning or discomfort where you apply it, though how often this happens isn't known.5
If you have persistent nausea or vomiting, or notice yellowing of your skin or eyes after taking fluconazole, get medical advice straightaway.4
One more thing. Antifungal creams can damage condoms, which means they might not protect you properly.1
Why do I keep getting thrush?
Recurring male thrush is frustrating, but there's usually a reason behind it.
The treatment might not have been used for long enough or there might be a trigger (antibiotics, skincare products etc.) behind it. Or it may be that your partner has untreated thrush.
The NHS says to see a GP if thrush comes back more than 4 times in 12 months. You also should not use antifungal medicine more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.1
A GP can take a swab to confirm what's causing it. If it keeps returning, they may suggest a longer course of treatment, sometimes for up to 6 months.1
How can you stop male thrush coming back?
A few simple habits can ease symptoms and help stop thrush returning.1,2 Try to:
- Wash your penis every day with water or an emollient instead of soap or shower gel
- Gently pull back your foreskin and wash underneath
- Dry properly after washing
- Wear loose cotton underwear
- Avoid sex until the thrush has cleared up if sex is uncomfortable
If your partner has symptoms, they should get treated too. Partners without symptoms don't need treatment.1
When should you see a GP?
Most male thrush settles with treatment from a pharmacy. But there are times it's worth getting checked properly.1
See a GP or sexual health clinic if:
- It's the first time you've had symptoms
- You're under 16 or over 60
- Thrush keeps coming back (more than 4 times in 12 months)
- Treatment has not worked
- You have diabetes, HIV or another condition that weakens your immune system
- You have sores, blisters, discharge from the tip of your penis or pain when you pee
- You've recently had unprotected sex or sex with a new partner
Frequently asked questions
How long does male thrush take to clear up?
Most male thrush clears up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. If you're using clotrimazole cream, keep applying it for at least two weeks, even if your symptoms settle sooner, because stopping early gives the yeast a chance to come back. If things haven't improved after a week, speak to a pharmacist or GP to check it really is thrush.
Can men get thrush from women?
Yes, it's possible. Thrush isn't classed as an STI, but it can be triggered by sex and, less often, passed on during sex. If your partner has thrush and you have symptoms too, you'll both need treatment. If you don't have any symptoms, you don't need to be treated. Bear in mind that antifungal creams can damage condoms.
Does male thrush go away on its own?
Don't count on it. The NHS says you'll usually need antifungal medicine to get rid of thrush, and leaving it can mean the itching and soreness drag on. A clotrimazole cream is usually the first step. If it's the first time you've had these symptoms, see a GP or sexual health clinic first to rule out other causes.
How do you apply thrush cream for men?
Wash the head of your penis and under your foreskin with water, then dry gently. Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected skin two or three times a day and rub it in. Wash your hands afterwards. For thrush, keep using clotrimazole 1% cream for at least two weeks, even if it looks better sooner.
It can. An unpleasant smell is one of the recognised symptoms of thrush in men, often alongside a white discharge under the foreskin. But a strong or unusual smell can also point to a bacterial infection or an STI. If your penis has started to smell, speak to a pharmacist or GP before treating it yourself.
References
- NHS. Thrush in men and women. NHS; 2023. nhs.uk
- nidirect. Balanitis. nidirect; 2024. nidirect.gov.uk
- Rudofsky G, et al. Frequency of genital infections according to body mass index in dapagliflozin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes. 2017. doi:10.1055/s-0043-101823
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule 150mg SmPC. eMC; 2024. medicines.org.uk/emc
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Canesten Cream (clotrimazole 1%) SmPC. eMC. medicines.org.uk/emc
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% w/w SmPC. eMC. medicines.org.uk/emc
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Fluconazole 150 mg capsules SmPC. eMC. medicines.org.uk/emc
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.