Although they are more common in women, urinary tract infections can also affect men and cause symptoms such as a sudden urge to urinate, pain, and burning during or after urinating.
UTI's are more common in men over 50 years old as they are at there is a higher risk of suffering from prostatic hyperplasia which is related to increased UTI occurrence. UTIs can also be more common in men who practice anal sex, in men who are not circumcised or in men that require a urinary catheter.
Men who suspect they may have a UTI should be assessment by a doctor. The doctor will likely evaluate your other symptoms, order a urine test, and prescribe antibiotics as necessary.
Symptoms of UTI in men
The following symptoms are characteristic of urinary tract infections in men:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Pain or stinging sensation when urinating
- Difficulty holding urine in
- Cloudy urine with a strong odor
- Low grade fever
- Presence of blood in the urine
However, it is also common for the infection not to cause any symptoms in men, being only identified in routine tests.
What can cause UTIs in men
Some factors can increase your risk for a urinary tract infection, such as:
- Unprotected anal sex;
- Using a catheter to urinate;
- Having an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as a family history of the illness;
- Not drinking enough fluids;
- Holding urine for a long time on a frequent basis;
- Urine reflux from the bladder to the kidneys;
- Kidney stones;
- Diabetes;
- Multiple sclerosis or another neurologic disease;
- Chronic kidney disease;
- Urinary tract cancer;
- Taking certain medications;
- Chronic prostatitis.
Additionally, men who are not circumcised have higher chances of suffering from UTIs or STDs, as the excess skin on the penis makes cleaning more difficult and increases the risk of microorganisms proliferating in that region.
Diagnosing UTIs
The diagnosis of a UTI in men is based on the symptoms and in the result of a urine test. This test analyzes a urine sample in order to identify the presence of microorganisms that may be causing the infection. The microorganisms that are found more frequently in those with a urinary tract infection are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus.
Additionally, the doctor may ask some questions about the man’s sexual life, in order to identify risk factors for infections or STIs, as well as doing a rectal examination to check if the prostate has increased in size.
In young men that have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, the urologist may also recommend tests such as computerized tomography, ultrasonography, and/or cystoscopy to assess if there are other problems in the urinary tract.
Treatment options for UTIs
The treatment for urinary tract infections in men is done according to the cause of the problem, with antibiotics usually being necessary. Learn about the medications and home remedies that can be used to treat UTIs.
In general, symptoms start to improve after 2 days of medicinal treatment, but in more serious cases a prolonged treatment (two or more weeks) or hospital admittance may be necessary.
Check out UTI teas you can make at home to complement your prescribed treatment.
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