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How Men Can Prevent Getting Yeast Infections

You may not know that yeast infections, though commonly associated with females, can happen in males too. Male yeast infections generally affect the penis and are especially common in uncircumcised men. For example, you can get a penile yeast infection, also known as penile thrush, by having condomless sex with someone who has a vaginal yeast infection. Poor hygiene, being overweight, the overuse of antibiotics and medical conditions like diabetes and HIV can also contribute. Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of yeast infections in men.

Man with big problem

When it comes to preventing an uncomfortable yeast infection, one thing that helps reduce your risk is maintaining a healthy weight. Some other things to be sure to do are using condoms during sex and maintaining proper hygiene. Maintaining proper hygiene includes washing the penis and foreskin thoroughly with warm water and drying the area thoroughly. Avoid irritating soaps, deodorizers, or perfumed lotions. Wear breathable underwear to keep the penis and groin dry. As well as these quick steps, there are specific lifestyle changes men can make to prevent yeast infections. This article details some critical steps for preventing penile yeast infections.

Maintaining a Healthy Immune System

When you keep your immune system healthy, it keeps the growth of bacteria at bay. It is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule and avoid heavy meals, caffeine and exercise within three hours of bedtime. Other techniques include breathing exercises, regular exercise, meditation, and yoga should be practiced by men to reduce high levels of stress, which can lead to a compromised immune system.     

The use of antibiotics has been associated with the onset of yeast infections, as these drugs can kill our body’s beneficial microorganisms, making the proliferation of Candida albicans easier. Therefore, antibiotics should only be taken as directed and unnecessary use should be avoided.

 Diseases that suppress the immune system, such as HIV and diabetes, also enhance the risk of yeast infections. As sugar is a prime food source for yeast proliferation, persons having diabetes should work to keep their blood sugar levels under control. These healthy immune system habits will make it easier for your body to fight off yeast infections. 

Practice safe sex

Yeast infections aren’t a sexually-transmitted disease; however, getting it from your partner during sex is possible. Typically, it doesn’t get passed that way, but when women come back to their doctors with recurrent infections, sometimes doctors ask the partner to get treated to see if that helps identify the source of the issue. Always use condoms if you aren’t in a committed relationship.

Uncircumcised men have a slightly higher chance of passing on yeast since their foreskin creates a dark, damp area where it can gather. Your risk also goes up every time you have a brand-new sexual partner because everyone has different flora. Practicing safe sex is a good habit for men to prevent many sexual diseases and may also affect their likelihood of getting yeast infections. 

Diet Changes To Prevent Yeast Infection

The yeast infection diet is always known as the anti-candida diet, which certain people worldwide follow. This diet is based on the theory that excluding some foods may help eliminate or immensely reduce the risk of yeast overgrowth. 

Supporters of such regimens have claimed that this diet assists in curing or preventing yeast infections by excluding; Anything which is fermented by using yeast, such as alcoholic drinks and certain dairy products, which include whole milk, white flour and other grains which are glutenous in nature and foods that contain simple sugars, which provides for many fruits.

If you choose to adhere to this diet, it is recommended that you stick to foods like protein (from chicken, beans, grass-fed beef, eggs and wild-caught fish), green vegetables, herbal tea and nuts, such as these are beneficial for the prevention of yeast infections. However, do your research, as the Candida diet has not been yet supported by a rigorous number of scientific research pieces. 

In the Candida diet, it is also recommended to consume probiotics or yogurt containing live cultures of the friendly bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilous. Probiotics are considered a popular choice for preventing or curing yeast infections both in men and women. They include both home remedies and natural products that are hostile to conventional means of yeast infections.

Good sources for probiotics are:

Yogurt with live bacterial cultures

Fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and pickles

Supplements containing Lactobacillus or acidophilus

Some men successfully prevent and treat yeast infections when they consume yogurt (or a probiotic supplement) regularly.

Clothing Preferences to Prevent Yeast Infection

When you think of yeast infections, clothing doesn’t come to mind as a source, but it can be a huge contributing factor. However, there are some situations where your clothes can create an environment where yeast can thrive. For example, changing out of workout clothes and taking a shower immediately after exercising is important because sitting around in sweaty gym clothes creates a type of environment where yeast can thrive in. So it is essential to change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Similarly, changing out of a wet bathing suit right after swimming, rather than waiting until later, is important to keep yourself safe from yeast infections. 

A good habit to get into is wearing loose-fitting underwear and pants. Be sure to leave some room for airflow. Wearing absorbent cotton underwear instead of nylon or other synthetic fabrics will also benefit your health, as cotton underwear are good at absorbing moisture and keeping the skin dry. On the other side of things, nylon and other synthetic fabrics hold moisture close to our skin, encouraging yeast growth. Underwear made of synthetic material may also result in allergic reactions or hypersensitivity that may lead to alteration in the penis environment and contribute to the development of yeast infection. So choose your clothes carefully, and use them to maintain a safe and dry environment. 

Cleanliness and Hygiene Habits to Prevent Yeast Infections

Prevention of yeast infection requires keeping your body parts clean. Penis yeast infections start by ensuring the area is kept clean, which will keep you feeling fresh and help prevent yeast infections—cleaning the penis when bathing reduces the chances of yeast growth. As yeast can thrive in moist environments, it is vital to dry the entire area of the penis after taking a bath or shower. Bathe smartly. Another preventative measure you can take is staying out of hot tubs and limiting your time soaking in a hot bath. Thoroughly rinse after you do and use products like bath salts. 

Practicing healthy habits like getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and taking care of your masculine hygiene helps reduce your risk of a yeast infection. If you’re following these preventative measures yet still experiencing frequent penis yeast infections, talk to your doctor about other possible causes. By following the healthy habits introduced in this article, your chance of getting infections will severely diminish. 

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Written by Dan Jackowiak

Dan Jackowiak, Nc, HHP, is the Founder of Yeast Infection Advisor. Dan is a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant that personally suffered from yeast and bad bacterial overgrowth of the gut for most of his life. The information on his website is a combination of his own nutrition and holistic training, life experiences, collaboration with fellow experts on his team, and over 18 years of studying medical research on candida yeasts infections of all types, which has allowed him to take his life and health back help others overcome yeast-related health problems and digestive problems of all kinds.

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