Can I get a genital thrush infection (penis thrush) from my girlfriend? I thought only women got yeast infections.

Thanks

It is possible for a man to contract penile thrush or oral thrush, if he has unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who has vaginal thrush. However, just because your girlfriend has thrush doesn't mean you will get it too. Sexual transmission of thrush is uncommon.

Many people are under the impression that only women get genital thrush, but men get them too. Prolonged antibiotic use increases the risk of thrush. Also, men with diabetes or impaired immune systems are more susceptible to thrush.

Symptoms of penile thrush include a reddish rash, itching or burning at the tip of the penis. Fortunately, most male thrush are easily treated with an over-the-counter antifungal thrush treatment. More information on how to treat thrush is found on this website.

If you and your partner have symptoms of genital thrush, it's important that you both be treated. Otherwise, you may keep reinfecting each other. Also, it's generally recommended that you refrain from sexual contact until all symptoms of the thrush infection are gone.

Pat