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Can a man catch thrush from a female partner?

It's possible for thrush to be passed on through sexual intercourse, although this is uncommon.

Signs and symptoms of thrush

In men, symptoms of thrush can include:

  • redness at the site of infection, often at the head of the penis and the foreskin, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin
  • itching and irritation at the site of the infection (often at the head of the penis)
  • thick, lumpy discharge under the foreskin
  • pain when passing urine
  • finding it hard to pull back the foreskin

The symptoms of thrush are similar in women, but the vagina is usually affected instead.

If you have thrush, it's best to avoid having sex until you've completed a course of treatment and the infection has cleared up.

Find out more about thrush in men and women, including how to get treatment.

Further information

Page last reviewed: 14 July 2021
Next review due: 14 July 2024