Can Men Get Bladder Infections

How Is It Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may have lab tests of your urine and discharge from the urethra and prostate gland.

For serious or repeated infections, you may need:

• An intravenous pyelogram . An IVP is a special type of X-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
• An ultrasound scan to look at the urinary tract.
• A cystoscopy. This is an exam of the inside of the urethra and bladder with a small lighted instrument. It is usually done by a specialist called a urologist.

What Are The Causes Of Utis In Men

Men are more likely to get UTIs than women. Not only this, men can suffer from a chronic form of UTI that can be particularly difficult to treat.

The lower the kidney function and urine output, the higher the risk of infections. If you have had a kidney transplant, it is important to avoid any medication that contains nitrates. The two main risk factors for men include:

1) Being uncircumcised

2) Having sex with multiple partners

How Is Cystitis In Men Treated

Some cases of cystitis clear up on their own with a little time. But if you have an infection thats not going away, youll likely need oral antibiotics to clear it up.

There are also a few things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms and prevent future cases of cystitis:

• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Some believe drinking 100 percent cranberry juice may help however, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support this claim. Dont drink it if youre using the blood-thinner warfarin , as this can cause bleeding.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to stay hydrated.
• Urinate often. Whenever you feel the need to go, do it. Also, make sure to urinate immediately after sexual activity involving your penis.
• When you shower, clean your genital area gently with just warm water. If you do use soap, make sure its gentle and unscented to avoid irritation.
• Dont use any colognes or fragrances on your penis. Chemicals in these products can irritate your genital skin and increase your risk of cystitis.

Also Check: What To Drink To Help Bladder Infection

What Are The Causes Of Bladder Infections In Men

A bladder infection is also called a UTI or urinary tract infection. This infection occurs due to the retention of urine in the urethral tract which causes irritation and the formation of a narrow track. This blockage leads to an infection.

The cause of Bladder infection is the obstruction of the urinary tract, which can be caused due to various reasons like enlarged prostate gland, injury, or a stone in the kidney.

Some other causes of bladder infections include:

• Frequent sexual intercourse with same or new partners.
• Not urinating immediately after sexual intercourse.
• Chronic diabetes.
• Changes in the urinary system.
• Diagnosed with bladder or kidney infection within the past year.

The problems associated with bladder infection are irritation in the urethra, which leads to painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, nausea, and vomiting.

Youve Got A Cold The Flu Or Allergies

You may be tempted to curse your seasonal sneezes, a cold, or the dreaded flu for making your life even more miserable with a UTI, but these ailments arent the cause. The meds you take to manage symptoms could be.

Though theyre the bomb at keeping your runny or stuffy nose in check, antihistamines and decongestants might make you go less by causing urinary retention. And see No. 6 that may lead to a UTI.

You May Like: Feels Like I Have To Pee But Bladder Is Empty

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

If you are a healthy adult man or a woman who is not pregnant, a few days of antibiotic pills will usually cure your urinary tract infection. If you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe a medicine that is safe for you and the baby. Usually, symptoms of the infection go away 1 to 2 days after you start taking the medicine. Its important that you follow your doctors instructions for taking the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Skipping pills could make the treatment less effective.

Your doctor may also suggest a medicine to numb your urinary tract and make you feel better while the antibiotic starts to work. The medicine makes your urine turn bright orange, so dont be alarmed by the color when you urinate.

Urine Infection In Men

In this series

Most urine infections are caused by germs which come from your own bowel. They cause no harm in your bowel but can cause infection if they get into other parts of your body. Some bacteria lie around your back passage after you pass a stool . These bacteria sometimes travel to the tube which passes urine from your bladder and into your bladder. Some bacteria thrive in urine and multiply quickly to cause infection.

A urine infection is often called a urinary tract infection by doctors. When the infection is just in the bladder and urethra, this is called a lower UTI. If it travels up to affect one or both kidneys as well then it is called an upper UTI. This can be more serious than lower UTIs, as the kidneys can become damaged by the infection.

In this article

• A poor immune system.

In other cases the infection occurs for no apparent reason. There is no problem with the bladder, kidney, prostate gland, or defence system that can be identified.

In the average adult patient there should be a urine output of: 0.5-1 ml/kg/hr. This means that an average 70 kg man should produce 35-70 mls an hour.

Urine output decreases in older patients and the target urine output should be 0.25-0.5 ml/kg/hr. This means that a 70 kg man who is aged over 65 years should produce 17.5-35mls per hour.

You May Like: How Do You Get Rid Of Overactive Bladder

Seeing A Doctor For Dysuria

After a history and physical exam, your doctor may request lab tests to help diagnose the cause of your dysuria symptoms. Then you can begin targeted treatment.

To help determine the cause, the doctor may ask whether your painful urination:

• Started suddenly or gradually
• Occurred once or many times
• Is felt at the onset of urination

The doctor may also ask if your painful urination is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Abnormal discharge
• Flank pain

The doctor may also want to know if the painful urination is accompanied by changes in urine flow, such as:

• Dribbling
• Difficulty initiating flow
• Increased frequency or need to urinate

And you may also be asked by your doctor if there are changes in urine character along with painful urination. These include changes in urine such as:

• Color

Causes Of Utis In Men

As we mentioned, UTIs happen when bacteria get into the urinary system. Normally the one-way flow of urine out of the body helps prevent this from happening. Additionally, fluid from the prostate has antibacterial properties. If you have a prostate, this can help to prevent UTIs.

Sometimes, though, bacteria do find a way in.

Here are some conditions that can make a man more likely to get a UTI, regardless of what types of reproductive organs they have.

You May Like: How Do Doctors Test For Bladder Infection

How Urinary Tract Infections Are Treated In Men

Whether an infection affects a man or a woman, the treatment is the same: a round of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and get rid of UTI symptoms. For an uncomplicated infection, a woman typically needs to take an antibiotic for one to three days. For men, a longer course of at least seven days of antibiotics is required, says Trost.

How Is Cystitis In Men Diagnosed

There are a few tests your doctor will use to diagnose cystitis, including:

• Urinalysis. Youll provide a small sample of urine thats sent to a lab to test it for infectious bacteria. This may also involve a bacterial culture to figure out what kind of bacteria is causing the infection.
• Cystoscopy. Cystoscopy involves insertinga long, thin, tube-shaped tool with a tiny camera and light at the end into your urethra and up to your bladder. This allows your doctor to check for signs of inflammation or infection. They may also collect a tissue sample in the process if youve had cystitis multiple times.
• Imaging. If youre experiencing cystitis symptoms but dont show any signs of an infection, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound or X-ray. These allow your doctor to look at the tissues and structures around your bladder to see if any other condition is causing your bladder symptoms, such as a growth of some kind.

You May Like: Recurrent Bladder Infections And Cancer

Treatments For Urinary Tract Infections In Men

How do you treat a male UTI? The main mode of treatment for male UTIs is antibiotics, usually delivered over the course of one week or more. Your doctor may also prescribe medication that numbs your bladder and urethra to relieve painful, burning urination. The most common medications prescribed for urinary tract infections in men include:

• Ampicillin
• Sulfamethoxazole
• Amoxicillin

In recent years, doctors have also begun to prescribe a class of drugs called quinolones. These drugs include:

• Ciproflaxin
• Ofloxacin
• Trovafloxin

How long does a UTI last in males? Urinary tract infections should be cured within a couple days of the treatment, assuming the infection is not caused by an obstruction or a separate disorder. Always make sure you take the full course of the prescribed medication to ensure elimination of remaining bacteria. The full course often lasts for over a week.

Doctors will prescribe longer term treatment for patients who show signs of prostate or kidney infections and patients with diabetes or structural abnormalities. Doctors also recommend longer treatments for men who have urinary tract infections as a result of mycoplasma or chlamydia. These are often treated with doxycycline, tetracycline, or a mix of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

Read: Best Antibiotic for a UTI

Check If It’s A Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of a UTI may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night
• pee that looks cloudy
• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
• needing to pee more often than usual
• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C

Read Also: How To Test For A Bladder Infection At Home

Myth: Utis Can Be Treated By Cranberry Juice Or Probiotics

Fact: Its conventional wisdom that cranberry juice can help stop or even prevent a UTI. There is a scientific basis for it, given some of the properties of the drink. Cranberry juice has proanthocyanidin, a chemical that inhibits bacteria from sticking to the bladder. But studies show there is no evidence that it can stop or prevent urinary tract infections, and any evidence of probiotics helping to protect from UTIs are minor at best. If you think you may have a UTI, its important you see your doctor and follow a treatment plan, which may include taking a course of antibiotics.

Over The Counter Medications For Urinary Tract Infections

• Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
• Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
• OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

Also Check: Can You Bleed If You Have A Bladder Infection

Why Do Women Get Utis More Often Than Men

The main reason that urinary tract infections are more common in women is their anatomy. A womans urethra is much shorter than a mans, making it much easier for E. coli and other bacteria to reach the bladder in women. In other words, bacteria dont have to travel as far to reach in the bladder in women.

Furthermore, a womans urethra is much closer to the anus. This makes it much easier for bacteria to travel from the anus to the urethra from something like toilet splash back or wiping improperly.

You Dont Pee After Sex

The threat of getting a UTI shouldnt stop you from getting it on. But that doesnt mean resigning yourself to the afterburn.

One simple way to cut your risk: Head to the potty after youve finished your romp. Youll possibly flush out the bacteria that may have made their way into your urinary tract. Urinary Tract Infection. .

Recommended Reading: Causes Of Weak Bladder Muscles

A Pharmacist Can Help With Utis

You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI. A pharmacist can:

• offer advice on things that can help you get better
• suggest the best painkiller to take
• tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms

Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service and can prescribe antibiotics if they’re needed.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Infections In Men

Bladder infections are a common problem in men that is highly misunderstood. There are many varieties of bladder infections, and each one has a different cause and effect. The most common variety is due to acute bacterial infection which occurs when there is an imbalance of bacteria in the urinary tract. Once the balance of healthy bacteria is disturbed, it allows for the multiplication of the infection-causing bacteria. Below are some of the common symptoms of bladder infections:

• Frequent urination.
• Cloudy urine with a strong odor.
• Blood in the urine .
• Trouble urinating, especially if you have a problem with your prostate.

Recommended Reading: Difference Uti And Bladder Infection

Children Can Get Utis

Five-year-old Samantha had been wetting the bed and waking up to use the bathroom multiple times per night. Then, she developed a fever. After she was unable to attend her first day of kindergarten, Samantha’s parents brought her to the pediatrician’s office, where she was diagnosed with a UTI.

UTIs are difficult to diagnose in children, so health professionals almost always collect and test a urine sample. It is common for children to have bladder and bowel dysfunction, such as difficulty urinating and passing stools, which are risk factors for recurrent UTIs. Children with a UTI can develop scarring on the kidney, which can lead to later urological issues.

Symptoms Of Uti Vs Std In Males

Having sex vaginal, oral, or anal increases your risk of a sexually transmitted disease or infection, notes the Mayo Clinic. While many sexually transmitted infections have no signs or symptoms, others can mimic signs and symptoms of a UTI.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for instance, are caused by bacteria that can infect the genital tract. Like UTIs, these STDs can cause pain or a burning sensation during urination.

Though theres little data in men, STDs are commonly misdiagnosed as UTIs in women, according to a study published in 2015 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Talk to your doctor if you think theres a possibility you could have an STD. Bacterial STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be treated with antibiotics.

Additional reporting by Barbara Kean, Diana Rodriguez.

You May Like: Medication To Treat Bladder Infection

Diagnosing And Treating Utis

UTIs can be diagnosed by your primary care doctoryou dont have to see a specialist initially. To diagnose a UTI, your doctor will send a sample of your urine to a lab for a urine culture where the urine is processed and evaluated for bacteria. The culture also can tell us what bug you have and what antibiotics can be used to help treat the infection. A urine analysis, which can be done quickly in our office, can suggest an infection, however, the best test is an actual culture.

Most UTIs are treated with oral antibiotics. However, there are superbugs that may be resistant to what we can give you by mouth, and those would require using stronger antibiotics through an IV. Most treatments last 5 to 7 days, but can be longer.

A quick internet search will give you home remedies for treating a UTI, but I dont recommend this. Untreated infections can spread to the rest of your body and put your life at risk.

Uti Causes And Risk Factors

The most common cause of a UTI in the urethra is a sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STDs that can cause a UTI. STDs are also the most common cause of UTIs in younger men.

Prostate problems can also cause UTIs. An enlarged prostate is common in older men and can block the flow of urine. This can increase the odds that bacteria will build up and cause a UTI.

Prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate, shares many of the same symptoms as UTIs.

Diabetes and other medical issues that affect your immune system can also make you more likely to get a UTI.

Read Also: What Happens When A Bladder Infection Goes Untreated

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Infection In Men

While different individuals will not have the same signs, the following are the most common symptoms of bladder infection:

A sudden and frequent urge to urinate

Peeing little amounts of urine

Lower back pain or cramping in the lower abdomen

Burning sensation when urinating

Frequent urination during the night

Foul-smelling urine that may appear cloudy

Fever

Feeling tired

Blood in the urine this is a sign that your bladder walls are inflamed, in which case you should seek medical assistance urgently.

The following UTI symptoms are specific to men:

Discharge from the penis

Swollen scrotum

It is important to note that bladder infection in males is more likely to recur after the initial infection because bacteria may hide and multiply within the prostate gland.