Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, are among the most common ailments that affect the urinary system. While many women experience this type of infection, men are not immune to this condition. Male urinary tract infection and bladder infection occur mainly during adulthood. It can bring potentially dangerous and troublesome effects to the person having it.
Although UTIs are rare in men, confirmed cases are often severe and complicated. The bacteria can spread through the upper urinary tract and reach the kidneys. Following a series of preventive actions can come a long way in reducing the risk of acquiring the infection. Simple practices such as keeping your prostate healthy, emptying the bladder frequently, and practising safe sex can prevent the bacteria’s development.
Keep on reading to find out all you need to know about male urinary tract infections.
Why Is Male Urinary Tract Infection Rare?
There is a lower risk of urinary tract infections in men, all thanks to the male anatomy. A man’s urethra is relatively longer as compared to that of a woman. This feature helps keep the bacteria at bay. The more extended passageway makes it difficult for the bacteria to travel inside and infect the bladder. It allows the immune system to take action immediately and wash out the bacteria.
What are the Factors that Cause UTIs in Men?
Older men, specifically those above the age of forty, have a higher risk of acquiring urinary tract infections. Most UTIs develop when the bacterium passes through the urinary tract and multiplies until it becomes a bladder infection.
Other risk factors that can lead to the development of UTIs include the following:
- Enlargement of the prostate gland
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a condition wherein there is overgrowth on a man’s prostate gland. An enlarged prostate gland can lead to the development of urine blockages which can cause infections in the lower urinary tract.
- Kidney stones
Men with kidney stones are at risk of having UTIs. This condition causes an obstruction along the urinary tract, which is often associated with the development of the infection.
- Diabetes
People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting UTIs as their condition interferes with their immune response. Diabetes also causes nerve damages that weakens the body’s signals which keeps them from emptying their bladder. It encourages the invasion of bacteria and poses a greater risk of infection.
- Insertion of instruments
Several procedures that include the insertion of tools such as catheters, drain tubes, and cameras can increase UTI odds. The bacteria can use the foreign material as a reservoir to reach into your system leading to urinary or bladder infection.
- Unprotected sexual intercourse
Men can get UTIs through sex. Having unprotected intercourse with someone with the infection, regardless of whether it is vaginal or anal, makes it likely for transmission to occur.
How Do I Recognize Symptoms of Male UTI?
Men with urinary tract infection do not usually see visible indications, but when they do, some of these symptoms can occur:
- Painful urination
- Frequent and strong urge to urinate
- Inability to begin urinating
- Releasing a slow stream of urine
- Blood in urine
- Cloudy urine
- Strong odor in urine
- Abdominal pain
- Burning sensation when urinating
Severe cases of urinary tract infection can also happen. If you experience fever, nausea, chills, vomiting, or back pain that accompanies the above symptoms, it could indicate a kidney infection. Immediate attention and prompt treatment should be necessary.
How are UTIs in Men Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of male UTIs is similar to it is for women. Preliminary diagnosis requires a laboratory examination using the person’s urine culture. But because doctors consider urinary tract infection in men as a complicated condition, additional testing is necessary.
After confirming the diagnosis, your doctor may proceed with a special evaluation to study the cause of your UTI. It also involves several tests to determine the amount of urine you can excrete after a single cycle. You will also need to undergo imaging scans to identify signs of bladder infection or other abnormalities in your kidney.
What Are the Treatment Procedures for Male UTI?
As a first-line treatment for UTI, your doctor will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and ward off other symptoms. If there are no signs of complications, the treatment process may take from three to seven days.
However, you may require more intensive treatment if your doctor suspects serious complications. This treatment aims to reduce the risk of spreading the infection from your kidneys or your upper urinary tract. Each treatment depends on the result of the diagnosis regarding the cause of your condition. The treatment duration can also vary from a minimum of seven days and can last for up to six months.
If there are positive signs of kidney or bladder infection, surgical procedures will take place. It involves either draining or complete removal of the inflamed tissues on the affected areas.
Are There Any At-Home Remedies for Male UTIs?
In addition to medical treatment, several home remedies can help treat urinary tract infections. These remedies are helpful for both men and women.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids. Regular hydration is essential to stimulate urination and flush out any bacteria that lingers inside your urinary tract.
- Cranberry juice drinks. Although cranberry juice is not a straightforward treatment against urinary tract infections, it contains substances that are effective against bacteria. Taking cranberry juice drinks will help clear out the urinary tract.
How Can I Prevent Male Urinary Tract Infection?
You cannot prevent all UTIs, but it is possible to make its development less likely. Please take note of the following preventive measures to avoid the risk of acquiring the infection.
- Do not hold your urine. It is necessary to urinate as soon as you feel the need to go to the bathroom. Holding your urine can initiate the growth of bacteria and multiply as long as you keep your urine.
- Keep your genitals clean. Carefully washing your genitals is necessary to avoid bacterial growth. If not circumcised, it is crucial to clean the area beneath the foreskin.
- Wash before and after sex. Cleaning your genitals before and after having intercourse can help remove any bacteria that is present. If possible, urinating after sex also helps to flush out any bacteria you might have acquired during the intercourse.
- Practice safe sex. Wearing condoms is also necessary to protect you against the transmission of bacteria.
- Treat prostate problems and bladder infections. These are only some of the underlying issues that may lead to the formation of UTIs. It is essential to talk to your doctor about it to prevent complications.
