Men get yeast infections when a fungus called Candida, which normally lives on the skin in small amounts, overgrows in warm, moist areas of the body, particularly the genitals. This overgrowth can be triggered by several things: sex with an infected partner, antibiotics, high blood sugar, poor hygiene, or simply having a foreskin that traps moisture. While yeast infections are far more commonly associated with women, they’re not rare in men, and understanding the specific causes can help you avoid them.
Candida Already Lives on Your Skin
The fungus behind most yeast infections, Candida, isn’t something you necessarily “catch.” It’s already present on your skin. In healthy people, it stays in check, kept at low levels by competing bacteria and a functioning immune system. Problems start when something tips that balance and allows Candida to multiply faster than your body can control it. When the fungus overgrows, it can dig below the surface of the skin and cause a rash or infection.
Candida thrives in warm, damp environments. On the male body, the area most vulnerable is the space beneath the foreskin, where moisture, warmth, and limited airflow create ideal conditions for fungal growth. This is the main reason yeast infections of the penis (called candidal balanitis) are significantly more common in uncircumcised men.
Sex With an Infected Partner
Yeast infections can be passed between sexual partners, though it doesn’t happen every time. Roughly 15 percent of men will develop symptoms of a penile yeast infection after having sex with a female partner who has one. A man with an active infection can also pass it back to a female partner, creating a cycle of reinfection if both people aren’t treated.
Oral sex is another route. Candida overgrowth in the mouth (thrush) can be contracted through oral contact with a partner who has a vaginal or penile yeast infection. This means yeast can move in both directions, from genitals to mouth or mouth to genitals, during sexual activity.
Antibiotics and the Microbiome
Antibiotics are one of the most common triggers for yeast infections in both men and women, and the reason is straightforward. Your skin and body host a complex community of bacteria and fungi that keep each other in check. Antibiotics kill off certain types of bacteria, but they leave fungi like Candida untouched. With fewer bacteria competing for resources, Candida can overgrow into the space left behind.
This is especially likely with prolonged courses of antibiotics. The longer you take them, the more your natural microbial balance is disrupted, and the more opportunity Candida has to establish itself. If you’ve recently finished a round of antibiotics and notice itching, redness, or irritation on your genitals, a yeast overgrowth is a likely explanation.
High Blood Sugar Feeds the Fungus
Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for recurrent yeast infections in men. The connection is direct: yeast feeds on sugar. When blood glucose levels run high, the body excretes that extra sugar through sweat, mucus, and urine. These sugar-rich secretions create a more hospitable environment for Candida, allowing it to colonize at levels the body can’t control.
High blood sugar also makes it easier for yeast and other pathogens to cling to skin cells and mucous membranes. Men with poorly controlled diabetes often experience repeated yeast infections, and in some cases, recurrent infections are what first prompts a diabetes diagnosis. If you’re getting yeast infections frequently without an obvious cause, it’s worth having your blood sugar checked.
Hygiene Habits That Backfire
Both too little hygiene and the wrong kind of hygiene can set the stage for a yeast infection. Not washing the area under the foreskin allows Candida to accumulate in exactly the warm, moist environment it prefers. But aggressively scrubbing with scented soaps, body washes, or deodorizers can be just as problematic. These products irritate the delicate genital skin and disrupt the natural balance of microorganisms that normally keep yeast in check.
Soap residue is another overlooked culprit. Not fully rinsing soap from beneath the foreskin leaves behind chemicals that irritate the skin, creating small breaks or inflammation where Candida can take hold more easily. The same goes for not drying off thoroughly after bathing or swimming. The best approach is simple: wash with warm water, use mild unscented soap if needed, rinse completely, and dry the area well.
A Weakened Immune System
Anything that suppresses your immune system gives Candida an opening. This includes HIV, chemotherapy, long-term steroid use, and other immunosuppressive medications. In these situations, the body’s natural ability to keep fungal populations in check is compromised, and infections that would normally never develop can take hold quickly. Men who are immunocompromised are also at higher risk of more serious forms of Candida infection that spread beyond the skin.
What It Looks and Feels Like
A male yeast infection typically shows up as redness, swelling, and irritation on the head of the penis or under the foreskin. You may notice itching or a burning sensation, particularly during urination or sex. Some men develop small red spots, a patchy white rash, or a thick, white discharge that collects beneath the foreskin. The skin may look shiny or feel unusually tender. In more pronounced cases, the area can crack or develop small sores.
These symptoms overlap with several other conditions, including bacterial infections, contact dermatitis, and some sexually transmitted infections. If you’re experiencing these symptoms for the first time, getting a proper diagnosis matters, because the wrong treatment can make things worse.
How It’s Treated
Most male yeast infections clear up with over-the-counter antifungal creams applied directly to the affected area twice daily. Treatment typically takes one to two weeks, though you may notice improvement within the first few days. During treatment, keep the area clean and dry, avoid sexual contact, and skip any scented products on your genitals.
If the infection doesn’t respond to topical treatment, or if you’re getting yeast infections repeatedly, a doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal. Recurrent infections also warrant a closer look at underlying causes, particularly undiagnosed diabetes or immune system issues.
What Happens If You Ignore It
A yeast infection won’t resolve on its own once it’s established, and leaving it untreated allows Candida to continue damaging the skin. Over time, chronic inflammation under the foreskin can lead to scarring and tightening of the tissue, a condition called phimosis that makes it difficult or painful to retract the foreskin. In severe or prolonged cases, this can require medical intervention. Damaged, inflamed skin is also more vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections, compounding the problem. The earlier you treat a yeast infection, the faster and simpler the recovery.