Male Thrush Recovery: How Long It Takes And How to Treat It

Thrush is a common and easily-treated condition which lots of MedExpress customers come to us to treat. Below, our experts share a little more about male thrush, how to treat it and when you should expect to feel better once you’ve begun treatment.

Article Summary:

• Male thrush is a penile yeast infection, sometimes known as candidal balanitis. Symptoms include redness, itching, and soreness on the penis head or a thick, white discharge resembling cottage cheese.
• Thrush is temporary, and can be treated with topical antifungal creams like clotrimazole or a one-off tablet like fluconazole, which is available by prescription only.
• Once you’ve begun treatment, symptoms often improve after one week and completely clear in 7-14 weeks. Wearing loose-fitting clothes, washing under your foreskin with water and avoiding sex until symptoms clear may aid recovery and prevent spread or recurrence speed up your recovery.

What Is Male Thrush?

Male thrush is a yeast infection that affects the penis, and is sometimes known as Candida balanitis. It is caused by a yeast called Candida, which thrives in warm, moist environments, and why you’ll most likely develop thrush on the head of your penis and under your foreskin. It can be triggered by poor drying after washing, by taking antibiotics, or by having diabetes. In some cases there is no clear reason why Candida overgrows. [1]

What Are The Symptoms Of Male Thrush?

You’ll most likely know if you have a yeast infection because you’ll begin to notice your groin area become sore, swollen and red. There are other symptoms of thrush to look out for, including:

• Burning, itching, redness or irritation around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
• Thick, white discharge like cottage cheese
• Discomfort pulling back your foreskin
• An unpleasant smell [2]

How Easy Is It To Treat Male Thrush? 

Unlike some conditions with similar symptoms (e.g. herpes) which are lifelong, thrush is temporary and straightforward to treat. If you think you might have thrush, speak to your pharmacist, GP or a MedExpress clinician to understand the best course of action. Treatment options for male thrush include over the counter creams as well as stronger, prescription-only medication. [1]

You might be advised to treat your thrush with an antifungal cream. If that’s the case, you’ll apply a cream like clotrimazole after cleaning and drying the area, continuing for 7–14 days even if symptoms improve earlier to prevent recurrence. This topical approach effectively kills the yeast overgrowth causing inflammation. [3]

For more stubborn yeast infections, a doctor may prescribe a one-off antifungal tablet like fluconazole. It works by stopping the yeast from multiplying, helping the infection to clear. [4]

How Long Does Male Thrush Take To Clear Up?

As is the case with female thrush, most men will notice their thrush begins to improve after just a few days. If you don’t notice any improvement in symptoms after a week, or if your thrush hasn't cleared completely after two weeks, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to find an alternative solution. [2]

Our MedExpress clinical team recommend these four tips to help speed up your recovery and stave off future yeast infections:

1. Start a daily practice of gently washing your penis (pulling back the foreskin to do so) with warm water, avoiding soap or scented products. Then, dry it completely before dressing.
2. Wear loose cotton underwear and trousers to minimise sweating or overheating.
3. Don’t have sex until your thrush has fully cleared. Remember, antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms so if you do have sex while you’re treating thrush, your contraception might not work. [2]
4. Always shower and change out of gym clothes immediately after exercising to reduce moisture exposure.

Suspect you might have a yeast infection? Our team can help. Find out what treatment is suitable for you with MedExpress.

References

1. Male Yeast Infection (Candida Balanitis): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23199-male-yeast-infection
2. NHS. Thrush in men and women [Internet]. NHS. 2019. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
3. Clotrimazole topical Uses, Side Effects & Warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/clotrimazole-topical.html
4. ‌NHS. About fluconazole [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fluconazole/about-fluconazole/