Jock Itch? Try Some Probiotics

The misleadingly-named jock itch - misleading because even dedicated couch potatoes can come down with it - can be a major annoyance. Thankfully, it’s not a serious issue, but this common penis health concern can mar an otherwise handsome penis and be a major source of embarrassment when a guy is caught with his hands down his pants trying to relieve that awful itch. There are numerous over-the-counter treatments for jock itch already, but some people believe that probiotics should also be considered when trying to alleviate jock itch.

A lesson about probiotics

Hipsters and health food enthusiasts are already likely to be on the probiotics bandwagon, but there are many men who may have heard the word probiotics but don’t really know what it means.

Probiotics are a kind of bacteria - which fact may cause some men’s guards to go up. We tend to think of bacteria as a bad thing, but in fact most bacteria are harmless - and some are actually beneficial. This is good, because there are an incredible number of bacteria in the body - about 10 times as many as there are cells in the body.

Some probiotics are yeast instead of bacteria, but the two different kinds still have health benefits for a person. For example, many probiotics are associated with helping with digestive issues, such as diarrhea. They also help fight ulcers, constipation and bloating, among other digestive concerns.

Beyond the gut, probiotics are linked to lowering bad cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and keeping skin healthy.

Interestingly, some studies indicate that probiotics may have a direct penis health benefit as well. They are associated with increasing testosterone levels, for example.

Jock itch

But what can probiotics do for jock itch? Well, jock itch is a kind of yeast infection. There have been no real studies on probiotics and jock itch, but there have been some studies on probiotics and vaginal yeast infections, which are similar in nature to jock itch. In these studies, the use of probiotics seemed to have an ameliorative effect on the vaginal yeast infections. In addition, studies have indicated that probiotics may be of benefit in decreasing athlete’s foot, which is a close "cousin" of jock itch.

Exactly how probiotics may alleviate jock itch is not known, although it may have to do with strengthening the immune system, another benefit of probiotics.

Getting probiotics

The body naturally carries probiotics, but if a man has jock itch and ants to see if probiotics may "do the trick" for him, he will need to supplement the probiotics already in his body. There are a wide variety of supplements that provide probiotics; however, most nutritionists agree that accessing probiotics directly from dietary sources is a better idea.

With that in mind, the list of foods that contain probiotics is quite long. Among some of the more popular sources are yogurts, dark chocolate, sauerkraut, raw cheese, apple cider vinegar, brine-cured olives, and miso soup.

Even though probiotics are associated with good health, as always a person should check with their doctor or nutritionist before making any significant changes to their diet. And since probiotics alone may not clear up jock itch, use of other treatments may be necessary.

Using probiotics to treat jock itch can provide other general health benefits, just as specific penis health benefits can be obtained by the use of a superior penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . For best results, select an oil that includes vitamin A among its ingredients. This vitamin has properties which can help to reduce unwanted penis odor. The oil should also include vitamin B5, aka pantothenic acid, which is required for cell metabolism and the maintenance of healthy tissue.

Will Probiotics Benefit an Itchy Penis?

When the desire to scratch the penis hits, there’s no fighting it – which is why guys do whatever they can to avoid an itchy penis. Sure, it’s not such a big issue when a dude is all alone or is just hanging out with bros. But when he has an itchy penis situation in front of his girlfriend (or worse, her parents) or in a meeting with his boss, this penis health inconvenience can become a source of major embarrassment. Keeping an itchy penis away may require incorporating several strategies – and for some men, taking probiotics might just be one of them.

What are probiotics?

Guys who keep up with the latest in health trends have probably at least heard of probiotics in the last few years. For the uninitiated, however, probiotics are bacteria. Now, bacteria tend to get a bum rap, but just as there are good people and bad people (or good dogs and bad dogs), there are good bacteria and bad bacteria – and probiotics are among the good guys of the bacteria world.

Different good bacteria have different functions. Probiotics are especially known for their ability to help with digestive issues, like diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. Which is all well and good, but neither of those conditions contribute to an itchy penis.

Itchy penis help

However, eczema certainly does – and research suggests that probiotics can be helpful in treating eczema. The studies seem to indicate that probiotics don’t actually make the underlying cause of eczema go away, but they do help treat the symptoms – such as the rashiness and the itchiness – and there’s a lot to be said for that kind of help.

Probiotics also are thought to help improve the capability for moisturization – in other words, to speed along the hydration process of the skin, which in turn often helps relieve the urge to scratch.

Probiotics also help prevent thrush, a yeast infection that often afflicts the penis and surrounding areas. And thrush can make for one especially itchy penis. Proibiotics help diminish the yeast that causes the condition; they are especially helpful when a man is on antibiotics, which tend to strengthen the ability of yeast to gain ground.

Other penis benefits

But the penis benefits of probiotics don’t stop with relieving the need to scratch. Probiotics are thought to be helpful with urinary tract infections, which are a little more common in men than most guys think. The ,mechanisms by which probiotics help prevent this issue are still being studied, but there does appear to be a correlation.

Probiotics also can help a man with cardiovascular issues. Probiotics create an acid which lets the liver know that it should stop producing so much cholesterol, helping to lower this common problem. And a healthier heart means a man is better positioned to attain and maintain erections and to sustain vigorous sexual exercise.

Finally, probiotics also seem to play some role in boosting testosterone levels – and that again can have an impact on a man’s sex drive and on his healthy erectile function.

Taking probiotics alone will not cure an itchy penis (or guarantee cardiovascular health, for that matter.) But it can be part of a regimen that also includes a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Keeping penis skin moisturized is key to suppressing itchiness, so select a crème that contains both a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) and a high end emollient (such as shea butter). Experts also recommend vitamin C for good penis skin health, so the chosen crème should include this ingredient as well. Vitamin C is a key component of collagen, a tissue in the body that gives skin its tone and elasticity.

Healthy Penis Friend: Probiotics

Ah, having a healthy penis is a wonderful thing for a man! When the penis looks good and feels good, a guy feels great all over, with an extra spring in his step and a definite gleam in his eye. Taking necessary steps to ensure good penis health is well worth it. In addition to paying attention to penis hygiene, checking for signs of problems, etc., guys might consider another option which can help make for a healthy penis: taking probiotics.

Probiotics?

Most people know about antibiotics, but what are probiotics? They are microorganisms found in many food products and can provide health benefits of various kinds. Although the term "probiotics" is relatively new, the microorganisms themselves were more-or-less discovered back in the early 1900s by Elie Metchnikoff. This Nobel Prize-winner didn’t identify the microorganisms themselves, but he did make note of how peasants in Bulgaria who ate a lot of yogurt tended to live longer than other people.

While the scientific community disagrees on exactly how beneficial these microbes are - rigorous scientific studies need to be conducted to provide a greater standard of evidence - there is general agreement that they can help boost a person’s health in a number of ways. And several of those ways can be of aid in a man’s search for a healthy penis.

Benefits

Because probiotics are consumed and go to work in the gut, the most likely benefits are gastrointestinal. This can have a side benefit in terms of a healthy penis, as a healthy tummy makes a man more likely to feel like having sex, and more sex keeps the penis in better health.

But more directly, some studies indicate probiotics can help improve skin health, including the skin of the penis. Probiotics are thought to help fight inflammation. Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, both of which can attack the penis, have a basis in inflammation.

Another healthy penis benefit: Probiotics help keep cortisol levels down. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and when cortisol is high, testosterone levels tend to be low. So dampening cortisol should help boost testosterone. In turn, testosterone is associated with sex drive; in general, the more testosterone a man has, the more "in the mood" he is likely to feel. (Some people believe that testosterone also increases the size of testicles, but there is little research to support this claim.)

Cardiac function may also benefit from probiotics, and that’s good news for the penis. Animal studies suggest that probiotics may help keep some plaque from arteries, which boosts the flow of oxygen-rich blood around the body. They also indicate probiotics may play a role in regulating cholesterol, which keeps the heart healthier. All of this means the penis is in a better position to receive and accommodate greater blood flow, which it can use during the erectile process.

And there may be other benefits, as well. For example, some doctors believe that probiotics can lower anxiety and improve moods, both of which make a man feel more prepped and ready for sex. And there is a possibility that probiotics can help boost immune function, keeping a man in overall better health, which subsequently betters his penis health as well.

Sources

So how does a guy get probiotics? There are many foods that are good sources, such as yogurt, fermented cheese, lassi, sauerkraut, dark chocolate, and pickles. There also are probiotic supplements. But before delving in, it pays to consult with a doctor to discuss any dietary changes.

There’s much more that has to be learned about probiotics and a healthy penis, so in the meantime, regularly use a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Find a crème with both L-arginine and L-carnitine. The first ingredient helps keep penile blood vessels open for increased blood flow, while the second helps maintain penis sensation that can be lost due to peripheral nerve damage.

Preventing an Itchy Penis with Probiotics

Yeast infections are typically identified with women, but they do occur in men as well - and are one of the causes of a persistently itchy penis that wreaks havoc on a man. When a yeast infection is responsible for the itchy penis, it moves from an annoyance and inconvenience into a penis health concern, so taking steps to treat or prevent the condition is essential. One avenue men may want to explore is the possible use of probiotics as a preventive measure.

Thrush
 
When an itchy penis is caused by a yeast infection, it is often called candidiasis - but since that word is a mouthful, men more commonly call it "thrush." The yeast that creates thrush is a fungus known as candida albicans, which occurs naturally in the body and is very common. Like all fungi, it thrives in warm, moist areas, which is why the penis is an attractive spot for it to appear.

Thrush generally presents as an itchy rash on the tip of the penis (and on the foreskin in intact men). It can cause soreness as well, especially when urinating. Intact men may also experience an increase in smegma when thrush is present.

Although thrush can be passed on during sex, it is not considered a sexually-transmitted infection. And for some reason, it is more often found among men who are not sexually active!

Probiotics
 
Now that thrush has been explored, what about probiotics? What are they and why might they help with thrush?

One reason why candida albicans tends to overgrow beyond its normal levels and create a yeast infection is because the immune system may be operating at too low a level. This can happen for a number of reasons. For example, taking steroids or antibiotics can lead to a suppressed immune system. When that happens, "good" bacteria - the kind that keep candida albicans in check - are diminished, and so thrush has an opportunity to take hold and grow.

That’s where probiotics come in. Probiotics are some of the "good" bacteria referenced above. They are active in the digestive tract, and they can help prevent the growth of unwanted yeast in there.

Several studies have shown that probiotics help the gut keep candida albicans under control and thus can help prevent thrush from occurring. So including probiotics in the diet, especially if the immune system is suppressed, can help prevent an itchy penis.

There have been no studies yet to indicate whether using probiotics on an already-active case of thrush can help it to go away. In such cases, a man should consult with his doctor to determine what course of treatment may be best for dealing with active thrush. Usually the application of an antifungal medication will have good results.

Men who are interested in adding probiotics to their diet to help prevent thrush should still consult with their doctors and/or a nutritionist in advance (as they should with any significant dietary changes they are contemplating).

Probiotics may be a good preventive measure against thrush, but there may be many other causes for an itchy penis. Often the symptoms of an itchy penis may respond to the use of a top penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Itchiness is often caused by, or exacerbated by, dry penis skin. Therefore, select a crème with both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). This combination of hydrators helps create a "moisture shield" to strengthen penis skin. The crème should also include alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant, which keeps skin healthy by fighting the free radicals that can damage penis skin cells.