Question
I have a yeast infection on my penis, and my doctor recommended an over-the-counter treatment. But the products I've seen say "for vaginal use." Are these safe to use for male yeast infections?
Answer
Yes. The very same yeast that causes vaginal infections in women can cause infections of the penis in men. So, you can safely use over-the-counter anti-fungal treatments such as Monistat — even though these products are labeled "for vaginal use" — to treat male yeast infections. Over-the-counter yeast infection treatments such as Monistat are marketed to women because genital yeast infections are much more common in women than in men.
To treat a male yeast infection, apply the medication directly to the affected skin on your penis twice daily for about a week. If the rash doesn't go away after about a week or if it recurs frequently, you should get a medical evaluation. Persistent or recurring yeast infections can be associated with other medical conditions such as diabetes.
Last Updated: 07/11/2006