How Do Males Get Bladder Infections

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.

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.

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Kidney Infection Symptoms In Men

Pain in the back, flank, groin, abdomen, fever, nausea are the most common symptoms of kidney infection in men. It is essential to identify the symptoms at an early stage, in order to prevent the condition from becoming severe.

Pain in the back, flank, groin, abdomen, fever, nausea are the most common symptoms of kidney infection in men. It is essential to identify the symptoms at an early stage, in order to prevent the condition from becoming severe.

Kidney infection, or Pyelonephritis, is an infection caused by bacteria. It is a type of Urinary Tract Infection , where infection originating at the urethra travels to the kidneys. Urinary tract infections and kidney infections are equally common in case of men as well as women, however women are at a higher risk of developing it.

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E Coli Urinary Tract Infection Men

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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 mans 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 bodys 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

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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

A UTI is caused by bacteria that get inside your urinary tract. Most bacteria that enter your urinary tract come out when you urinate. If the bacteria stay in your urinary tract, you may get an infection. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urine is made in your kidneys, and it flows from the ureters to the bladder. Urine leaves the bladder through the urethra. A UTI is more common in your lower urinary tract, which includes your bladder and urethra.

Frequency Of Urinary Intake

Youâll feel like you need to go 20 times per day. In addition, your bladder will be irritated and you will have to go to the toilet only a few times. The bladder is designed to hold a lot of urine. However, if your bladder becomes irritated from an infection, you will feel like you need to go every day.

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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.

Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.

The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:

• having sex

• do not use scented soap

• do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go

• do not rush when going for a pee try to fully empty your bladder

• do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon

• do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder

• do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow

• do not use condoms or diaphragms with spermicidal lube on them try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception

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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.

When To Call A Professional

If you are approaching age 50, call your doctor if you notice any of the following: a decrease in the force of your urine stream, difficulty in beginning urination, dribbling after you urinate, or a feeling that your bladder isn’t totally empty after you finish urinating. These could be symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a problem that can be treated effectively before it triggers a urinary tract infection.

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Other Ways To Prevent Recurring Utis

If you have more than 3 UTIs in 1 year, or 2 UTIs in 6 months, there are other things that may help prevent UTIs.

There is some evidence that women under 65 years old who keep getting UTIs may find it helpful to take:

• a supplement called D-mannose this is not recommended for pregnant women
• cranberry products, such as juice or tablets

Speak to your doctor before taking any of these during pregnancy.

Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar.

Page last reviewed: 18 November 2020 Next review due: 18 November 2023

Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.

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Congenital And Hereditary Diseases

Polycystic disease is the most common: 8% of chronic renal failure is due to this disease, characterized by the development of numerous cysts in both kidneys. It is an inherited disease that affects both sexes. The risk of transmission differs according to the genetic form. It can evolve into adulthood towards chronic renal failure but in a very slow way. A number of polycystoses never reach the stage of chronic end-stage renal failure.

Alport Syndrome is a hereditary disease characterized by abnormalities in the biochemical composition of the basement membrane of the glomerulus leading to a defect in filtration. The association of auditory and even ocular and renal insufficiency, especially in boys, must be reminiscent of this disease.

How Do Men Get Utis

In men the urethral opening is at the end of the penis a longer distance from the bladder than in women. Secretions from the prostate gland can also kill bacteria, so the frequency of a urinary tract infection is not as high.

But in men, kidney stones and enlarged prostates are common. Both of these can cause a urinary tract infection.

When men have an enlarged prostate, residual urine can stay in the bladder and collect bacteria, Dr. Bajic says. The enlarged prostate presses on the urethra and blocks urine flow so the bladder doesnt completely empty. This increases the chances of bacterial growth that can lead to a UTI.

Dr. Bajic says kidney stones can act as a sponge for bacteria. Even if the urinary tract infection clears up, the stones can act as a reservoir for bacteria to come back and create another infection, he adds. Sometimes the stones need to be removed to prevent infections from returning.

Acute bacterial prostatitis a prostate infection is another less common cause. This can be life threatening if not treated right away.

Men at higher risk include those who:

• Struggle with kidney stones.
• Participate in anal intercourse without condoms.

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Understanding Urinary Tract Infections In Men

Can a man get a urinary tract infection? A surprising number of people assume that only women can get a UTI. While the chance of women getting a UTI is highabout 1 in 2 women will get a urinary tract infection at some point in their livesmen can still contract urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections lead to an estimated 8.3 million doctor visits each year. About 20 percent of those cases are from men.

Urinary tract infections are rare in men younger than 50 years old, but the chances of contracting a UTI increase as men get older. Lets take a closer look at urinary tract infections in men, what causes them, symptoms, and how you can treat and prevent them.

What Causes Uti In Elderly Men

The main cause of UTIs, at any age, is usually bacteria. Escherichia coli is the primary cause, but other organisms can also cause a UTI. In older adults who use catheters or live in a nursing home or other full-time care facility, bacteria such as Enterococci and Staphylococci are more common causes.

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Can Men Get Utis From Women

Men can get UTIs from women during sex, by getting the bacteria from a woman with the infection. However, this is unlikely.

Typically, the infection arises from bacteria that are already present in the mans body.

A doctor can diagnose a UTI by carrying out a physical examination, taking a medical history, and through laboratory tests.

Physical examination

The doctor may perform a physical examination that includes:

• checking the vital signs
• checking the abdomen, bladder area, sides, and back for pain or swelling
• examining the genitals

Medical history

The doctor may ask if the person has had other UTIs in the past, or a family history of UTIs.

They may also question the person about their symptoms.

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests are required to diagnose the infection as the symptoms of a UTI can be common to other diseases.

A urine sample is usually needed to look for the presence of pus and the bacteria causing the infection.

Men may be asked to give a urine sample. A man will need to start the urine stream to clean the urethra, and then collect a midstream sample in a cup. As bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature, this urine sample is either sent to the laboratory immediately or kept refrigerated until later.

The doctor may also ask for a urine test strip, also known as a urine dipstick test. This is a quick test in which a plastic or paper ribbon is dipped into the urine sample and then removed. If the person has a UTI, the ribbon will turn a particular color.

You Dont Drink Enough Water

Guzzling H2O will make you go pretty often. And thats a good thing. When you do this, the bacteria gets flushed out before they have a chance to grab hold, Minkin says.

Consider that your cue to make a giant water bottle your BFF. Hooton TM, et al. . Effect of increased daily water intake in premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized clinical trial. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4204

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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.

Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections

Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including an enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse .

If you get frequent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may do tests to check for other health problems such as diabetes or an abnormal urinary systemthat may be contributing to your infections. People with frequent UTIs are occasionally given low-dose antibiotics for a period of time to prevent the infection from coming back. This cautious approach to treating frequent UTIs is because your body can develop a resistance to the antibiotic and you can get other types of infections, such as C. diff colitis. This practice is used very infrequently.

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What Can I Do To Prevent A Uti

• Empty your bladder often. Urinate and empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need. Do not hold your urine for long periods of time.
• Drink liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. You may need to drink more liquids than usual to help flush out the bacteria. Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or citrus juices. These can irritate your bladder and increase your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend cranberry juice to help prevent a UTI.
• Urinate after you have sex. This can help flush out bacteria passed during sex.
• Do pelvic muscle exercises often. Pelvic muscle exercises may help you start and stop urinating. Strong pelvic muscles may help you empty your bladder easier. Squeeze these muscles tightly for 5 seconds like you are trying to hold back urine. Then relax for 5 seconds. Gradually work up to squeezing for 10 seconds. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions a day, or as directed.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

One of the most common symptoms of a UTI is a frequent and urgent need to pee. You might feel like you need to pee all the time, even if you just went. Other UTI symptoms include:

• pain or burning when you pee

• bad-smelling or cloudy urine

• blood or pus in your urine

• soreness, pressure, or cramps in your lower belly, back, or sides

If the infection goes to your kidneys, your UTI symptoms may also include:

• pain in your mid-back

• fever

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What Is The Urinary Tract

The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the body’s liquid waste products. The urinary tract includes the following parts:

• Kidneys: These small organs are located on back of your body, just above the hips. They are the filters of your body removing waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
• Ureters: The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
• Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
• Urethra: This tube carries the urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.