Candidiasis, more commonly known as thrush is a fungal infection that can affect both men and women. An important point to note here is that thrush is not categorised as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but it can be stimulated because of sexual contact. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about candidiasis to both detect and treat it.
What is Candida?
Candida, or Candida albicans is a fungal lifeform, officially classified as a yeast. Candida is found in all humans, irrespective of the gender. The yeast is always present in varying levels on human skin and inside the human mouth, throat, intestines, and vagina. It only becomes problematic in case of a candida overgrowth, which swiftly leads to a candida infection, aka candidiasis or thrush.
What are the Symptoms of Candida in Women?
The symptoms of candida will vary, depending on who is affected and where. For women with a vaginal candida infection, the symptoms are likely to be as follows:
- Thick and white vaginal discharge without a strong, foul smell.
- General and persistent sensations of itching, pain, and tenderness.
- Pain, tenderness, and discomfort during urination and sex.
As these symptoms are often shared by other microbial and parasitic infections as well, a Candida test might be necessary to confirm the infection. In extreme cases, advanced candida symptoms might become a lot more severe.
Although rare, repetitive candida infections can lead to redness, bleeding, severe inflammation, and even a cracked vaginal wall. Go for a test and subsequent treatment for candida as soon as you notice the early symptoms to prevent it from ever getting that far.
What are the Symptoms of Candida in Men?
Men are less susceptible to severe candida infections than women, but that does not mean they are immune to it. Common candida symptoms in men are as follows:
- Sensations of itching, burning, and visible redness under the foreskin.
- Sensations of itching, burning, and visible redness on the penis head.
- White discharge with a strong, foul smell originating from the same locations as mentioned above.
- Difficulty, pain, and general discomfort while having sex or during urination.
Just as it is with women, male candida infections may not be confirmed without a proper candida test either. Failure to diagnose and provide the necessary treatment for candida infections in time can lead to very painful and long-lasting consequences for male patients.
What are the General Candida Symptoms?
Thrush may also affect both men and women in common parts of the body which include the groin area, the armpits, on the finger webbings, behind the knees, and just about any other part of the skin that’s covered and prone to sweating. A candida overgrowth on one’s skin will result in similar symptoms for both men and women. They may include:
- Red, itchy, and burning rashes, which may or may not develop scaly skin on top later.
- White and/or yellow discharge without a strong foul smell.
There is treatment for candida that can temporarily or permanently cure the yeast infection, depending on the concerned patient’s medical condition and lifestyle choices. Nevertheless, if it keeps coming back, you should consider getting it treated more thoroughly.
