Thrush Treatments for Men

It is a common misconception that men cannot get thrush. Although not as common as thrush in females, it is still a very common infection. Many men do not suffer any side effects at all therefore will never know they have thrush, and it may clear up naturally. However, if you do think you have thrush you should visit your doctor and get advice on the best kind of treatment for you. If you are sure that you have thrush, then you can visit your local pharmacy and purchase thrush treatment without having to visit your doctor, as the majority of thrush treatments are over the counter and available without a prescription.

There are a couple of typical treatments recommended for men, the most common being an anti-fungal cream, and for more severe cases, a tablet or different kind of cream is recommended. The most common cream is called topical imidalzole. Some typical forms of topical imidazoles that you may see in your pharmacy include econazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole and miconazole. Although these sound like pretty serious names, these are all typical anti-fungal creams. This is a very common thrush treatment, and helps to clear up the infection by breaking down the fungi cells.


Like all medication, topical imidazoles can incur a few side effects. The most common side effect is a mild burning sensation. This is usually nothing to worry about, and should only last for a short amount of time when you initially apply the cream. However, in some cases this treatment can result in a distressing irritation of the skin and a more severe burning sensation. If you do experience this, you should stop using the cream immediately and contact your doctor.

If your experience of thrush is a bit more severe than common cases, your symptoms may not be able to be cleared up by topical imidazoles. If your symptoms have not improved with a period of two weeks, you should return to your doctor and ask for further medical advice. You may be prescribed a different anti-fungal medication, one of the most popular being Fluconazole. This comes as either a cream or a tablet, and you may be able to choose which you would personally prefer – this treatment is just one type of alternative anti-fungal medication, and you be advised on others. Fluconazole is available over the counter, so you will not necessarily need a prescription. However, if you have tried the initial topical imidazoles treatment it is always advised to get checked over by a medical professional.

Just like topical imidazoles, there are a few potential side effects that you may experience with this treatment. Not everyone will experience these, and the severity on which you do experience them will differ from person to person. These symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pain. Usually they are nothing to be worried about, but if you experience severe instances of any of the above, you should contact your doctor.

If the symptoms of thrush still do not clear up after another two weeks of taking medication you should, again, contact your doctor. They may refer you for specialist treatment at a dermatologist, but this is a fairly rare occurrence.

Although it is not stated as an actual treatment of thrush, keeping a good level of personal hygiene should help to clear up your thrush infection. Showers are usually better than baths in regards to cleanliness, and you should wash the affected area with perfume free shower gels or soaps to avoid further irritation. After you have finished washing, you should ensure that you also dry the affected area quite carefully. This is because the candida that causes thrush thrives in warm, damp conditions.

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