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Causes of Thrush, men

Many people have a small amount of the candida fungus in their bodies. It doesn’t usually cause any problems because the body’s immune system and other harmless bacteria keep it under control.

Anything that destroys the good bacteria in your body that keeps candida under control can lead to thrush. For example, if you are taking antibiotics for an infection the antibiotics won’t know the difference between good and bad bacteria and will fight off both types. If you are run down and your immune system is weak, the bacteria that cause thrush may also multiply.

Candida tends to grow in warm, moist conditions. Thrush can sometimes develop if you don’t dry your penis carefully after washing. Candida also thrives on skin that is already damaged. Using perfumed shower gels and soaps can irritate the penis, making thrush more likely to develop.

Thrush is also more likely to develop if you have uncontrolled diabetes (usually because you don’t realise you have diabetes). Other signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, lots of trips to the toilet to pass urine and weight loss. See your GP if you have these symptoms, and if thrush keeps coming back even after treatment.

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