Men and women aren't created equal when it comes to getting urinary tract infections.
Though one out of five women will develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in her life, most men will never have a UTI. In fact, only 20 percent of diagnosed urinary tract infections occur in men. Urinary tract infections are extremely rare in young men, but their risk does increase as a man ages; UTIs are more common in men after the age of 50.
Factors That Put Men at Risk for UTIs
Besides age, there are additional factors that put you at a greater risk for getting UTIs if you're a man, including:
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Kidney stones
- Bladder catheter insertion
- Any health condition that affects the immune system
Recognizing UTI Symptoms in Men
Not every man, woman, or child who gets a UTI has typical UTI symptoms. But when men do get them, their symptoms are generally not too different than those that women experience. Common UTI symptoms include:
- A constant urge to urinate
- Releasing only small amounts of urine at a time
- Bloody, cloudy, or bad-smelling urine
- Abdominal or lower back pain
- Burning pain during urination
But there is one symptom that's specific to men: fluid seeping from the penis. Any man noticing discharge from the penis should see his doctor for a diagnosis; it could indicate a UTI.
Any of these symptoms accompanied by fever, nausea, or chills could indicate a kidney infection — a serious problem that needs prompt treatment.
How Urinary Tract Infections Are Treated in Men
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria (or, less commonly, a virus or even a fungus) enters the urinary tract. Whether the 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.
But there are also things men can do to help prevent a UTI from setting in — especially if they have any of the risk factors. If you're a man, take these steps to reduce your risk of getting a UTI:
- If you're not circumcised, thoroughly clean the area beneath the foreskin each time you shower.
- Drink lots of fluids — water is best — every day.
- Don’t hold your urine — make frequent trips to the bathroom.
- Carefully cleanse your genitals before and after sex to help get rid of bacteria (this will also help your partner avoid UTIs).
- Wear condoms when you have sex.
If you've already got a UTI, drinking a lot of fluids can help push the bacteria out of the urinary tract — and in some very mild cases of UTI, that could be enough to treat it. However, if you notice any of the signs of a UTI, it's still very important to head to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.
Without UTI treatment, the infection can quickly spread and become a serious (sometimes even fatal) threat. So don't brush off symptoms like frequent urination or a burning sensation when you urinate, and don't assume that you can't get a UTI just because you're a man.
Last Updated: 10/29/2010