Circumcised Men More Likely to be Carriers of Yeast Infection

A study performed in London in 1977 showed yeasts were isolated at similar rates in both circumcised (14%) and uncircumcised men (17%). It had previously been thought that uncircumcised men are more likely to carry yeast than circumcised men but this myth has now been proven incorrect.

Circumcised men, however, had significantly fewer symptoms, indicating that men may be infected while presenting little or no signs. The report predicted that asymptomatic carriers are very likely to be overlooked as a potential source of infection to women because men who do not show any symptoms are unlikely to attend a clinic. Circumcised men are therefore a greater risk of infection to their female contacts than uncircumcised men who are more likely to seek help due to experiencing symptoms. It is therefore suggested by the authors of the study that men carrying yeast should be treated whether they are experiencing symptoms or not.

Women who have sexual contact with men carrying yeast have an extremely high infection rate of 80% while men who are in contact with infected women are four times more likely to be yeast-positive than those who are not.