This may be an uncomfortable topic for most men: yeast infections. No, I don't mean talking about your girlfriend or wife's yeast infection. What I'm referring to here is a man having penile yeast infections. Penile yeast infections often are mistaken by the person to be something more serious, such as an STD. Here are some of the reported symptoms of yeast infections in men:

• Cracked skin over the head of the penis

• White patches and blistering on the head

• Wet discharge

• Increased craving for sugars and carbohydrates

• Increased craving for alcohol

• Pain during urination

Yeast infections are often thought of to be a "woman's problem", so how does this happen to men?

First, it's important to know that we all have a fungus on our skin called Candida Albicans. The fungus lives alongside other microorganisms, like bacteria, and both counterbalance each other. If something should happen that decreases the amount of bacteria on the skin, particularly taking an antibiotic, this can allow the fungus to multiple and cause a yeast infection.

Apart from antibiotics, here are some other reasons why you may develop a yeast infection:

• Intercourse with an infected partner (whether it be vaginal or anal)

• Diabetes

• Steroids

• Immunity ailments (HIV, AIDS, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy)

As mentioned above, if you do suffer any symptoms mentioned above you must seek immediate treatment. Your physician will do a quick swab test while you are at the doctor's office and will be able to determine whether or not it is a yeast infection.

Some treatments that you can expect to be prescribed are antifungal creams and ointments. Monistat is a popular topical ointment, as is Femstat. You also have the option of taking a pill (usually Diflucan) to help clear it up. Check out some natural remedies as well, such as yogurt and apple-cider vinegar (males who suffer from yeast infection sometimes add the vinegar to the topical ointment they choose for greater relief).

Lastly, these are some things you can do to help prevent ever having a yeast infection:

1. Thoroughly cleanse the head of your penis with lukewarm water

2. Use a separate towel to completely dry the head of the penis. This helps keep the environment dry (fungus thrives in moist environments)

3. Remove or limit foods containing yeast from your diet. Consider limiting your refined sugar intake, breads and pastas, and beer.

These are just some of the many options you have when treating penile yeast infections. Just be sure to get this condition take care of before it becomes a more serious problem.