Male yeast prescription medications may be needed if a man has an infection that is chronic or severe. It is important to take prescription medications if needed to ensure that the yeast is completely cured. Heterosexual couples who have unprotected sex can pass yeast infections back and forth.

Men get yeast infections for the same reason women do. A man can get a yeast infection the following ways:

• Sexual transmission: Candida can be transmitted between two people by direct contact. A yeast infected woman who has unprotected sex with a man can infect her partner. She could then treat and cure her infection and then get re-infected the next time she has sex with him. If you or your partner has an active infection you should be extra careful to follow the safe sex guidelines until you are sure that both of you are infection free.

• Antibiotics: Though far less common than sexual transmission, the other main cause of a penile yeast infection in males is prolonged antibiotic use.

The only way to be sure that an infection is gone is to use male yeast prescription medications. There are two prescription drugs that are commonly used to treat male yeast infections. They are: • Diflucan (fluconazole) This is a broad spectrum drug. It will kill Candida and some other fungi. Unfortunately some people are allergic to this drug.

• Nizoral (ketaconazole) This is an extremely strong drug that should only be prescribed in extreme cases of yeast.

Some men say over the counter medications help cure their yeast infections. Some men say that applying a little bit of Monistat directly to the penis helps. And if it doesn't start to work in a day or two just add a few drops of vinegar.

Symptoms of a penile yeast infection include: • The most common symptom is irritation and soreness of the head of the penis. • Some men have a discharge.

The symptoms of male yeast infection are similar to those of genital herpes. Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection affecting primarily the genitals of men and women. It is characterized by recurrent clusters of vesicles and lesions at the genital areas. It is caused by the Herpes Simplex-2 virus (HSV-2), one of several strains of the Herpes Simplex Virus responsible for chickenpox, shingles, mononucleosis, and oral herpes (fever blisters or cold sores, HSV-1). While generally not dangerous, it is a nuisance and can be emotionally traumatic, as there is no cure.

It has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S.; 500,000 are diagnosed each year. One in five American adults has herpes, but only one third of those inflicted are aware that they have the virus. Many people don't relate their symptoms to herpes, since they have either very mild or no symptoms at all. Over 50 million cases are currently estimated to exist in either the active or dormant stage.

If this is the first time you have had male yeast infection symptoms, you should consult your doctor so that you can be properly diagnosed. If turns out that you have a yeast infection talk to your doctor about the male yeast prescription medications that are best for you.

Glossary:

Genital herpes: A contagious viral infection that affects the genitals of men and women.

Diflucan: A prescription medication that is sometimes used to treat male yeast infections.