Candida Balanitis
Candida balanitis is defined as inflammation of the head of the penis (glans penis) caused by candida yeast fungi. According to the medical literature, current data suggests that candida is the cause for 30 to 35% of all cases of infectious balanitis (source), and for up to 54% when the diagnosis was based solely on clinical examination (source). Most cases of candida balanitis are caused by the candida albicans species (C. albicans).
Also known as: Male candidiasis, male yeast infection, candidal balanoposthitis, candidiasis balanoposthitis, candidiasis balanitis.
In this Guide
Candida balanitis topics
Candida balanitis symptoms
Candida balanitis symptoms may be different from balanitis symptoms that are not caused by candida. Balanitis typically affects the head of the penis (glans) and in some cases the foreskin. Common candida balanitis symptoms may include:
- Redness, inflammation, soreness, burning, itching and irritation.
- Dry or peeling skin.
- Red or white spots.
- Bumps.
- Glans may also appear as tight, glazy, shiny skin.
- Rash.
- Tight foreskin that cannot be pulled back.
- Discharge under the foreskin.
- Unpleasant odor of the foreskin in some cases.
When left untreated, candida balanitis can evolve into more serious health complications: pain or burning when passing urine, urinary tract infection (UTI and bladder infection), difficulty retracting or pulling back the foreskin and others.
For a mapping of the penis different areas, see the male penis anatomy.
Candida balanitis risk factors
Candida balanitis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease since you can also get it without sexual contact. It is possible however, to get candida balanitis by having unprotected sex with someone who has a candida or yeast infection.
According to the medical literature, the main candida balanitis risk factors are (source 1, source 2):
- Age (risk increases with age).
- Diabetes was shown as an independent risk factor.
- Being uncircumcised when associated with poor hygiene and build up of smegma.
Other risk factors include use of antibiotics or corticosteroid and a weakened immune system. These typically impair the body’s ability to handle the candida infection and usually lead to a systemic candida overgrowth infection in the body. In this case, there are usually additional signs of the candida infection in the body in addition to the candida balanitis infection that affect the penis.
To see the complete list of candida overgrowth symptoms broken down by different areas in the body see:
candida symptoms checker.
Candida balanitis causes
One of the most common known cause of candida balanitis is a systemic candida overgrowth in the body.
Candida overgrowth (Candidiasis) is a common fungal infection caused by the candida yeast fungi. In a healthy state, the growth of candida is being controlled by the good bacteria in the body. When this balance is being disturbed, candida changes into a more aggressive fungal form that spreads and causes a wide variety of health issues and unpleasant symptoms all over the body.
Common candida overgrowth symptoms may include external signs causing infections of the skin, toenails, feet, mouth, tongue and genitals, as well as internal symptoms causing digestive issues, mood swings, brain fog, muscle and joint pain and breathing or sinus infections.
To see if your symptoms and medical history may be related to candida overgrowth infection in your body, see:
online candida overgrowth test.
Common causes of candida overgrowth may include:
- Antibiotics (kill the good bacteria).
- Steroids or corticosteroid.
- Weakened immune system.
- Ongoing digestive issues such as chronic constipation.
- Diet that is high in sugars or processed foods.
- Diet that is not suitable for your body.
- Blood sugar issues or diabetes.
- Heavy metals or chemicals toxicity issues.
- High levels of stress.
- Being overweight.
- Ongoing lack of sleep or insomnia.
For the complete list of candida overgrowth causes and treatment options, see:
candida overgrowth causes experts guide.
Candida balanitis treatment
Candida balanitis treatment is directly related to the cause of the candida balanitis:
only the penis is affected
If only the penis is affected with no other symptoms present in other areas of the body, a candida balanitis treatment using antifungal creams is usually enough for a complete candida balanitis cure (source 1, source 2).
The options for candida balanitis antifungal creams is available either as antifungal drugs such as fluconazole (Diflucan), clotrimazole (Canesten) or by using natural antifungal creams. Certain natural antifungal creams such as ozonated olive oil are shown in published human studies to be very effective as well, and are prefered by many who do not want to use synthetic drugs.
Unlike many prescription or over the counter antifungal drugs that can cause irritation and burning when used topically on the already irritated penis, Ozonated olive oil has a unique ability to reduce candida and yeast growth (source) on one hand, while helping to soothe skin irritation and accelerate wound healing at the same time (source).
To avoid chronic candida balanitis or other complication, it is important to confirm that no other candida symptoms are present.
penis and other areas are affected
When the penis and other areas are affected, a candida overgrowth treatment is usually needed in order to help the body balance the systemic candida infection in the body. In these cases, the penis infection is only one symptom of a systemic problem of excess candida overgrowth in the body.
A typical treatment for candida overgrowth usually include:
Candida balanitis treatment – additional consideration
Since candida balanitis can be transferred during sex a well, it is usually advised that the patient’s sex partner should also be treated.
What is balanitis
Balanitis definition
Balanitis is defined as inflammation of the head of the penis (glans penis). When the foreskin is also affected, it is called Balanoposthitis. Balanitis is more common in uncircumcised men especially in cases of poor hygiene. Diabetes and age are also common risk factors (source 1, source 2).
According to the medical literature, current data suggests that candida is the cause for 30 to 35% of all cases of infectious balanitis (source), and for up to 54% when the diagnosis was based solely on clinical examination (source).
Balanitis treatment is usually very effective, and it depends on the cause. This is especially important in cases where balanitis is caused by a systemic candida overgrowth in the body.
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