How do you get a uti in male

Factors That Put Men at Risk for UTIs

Besides age, there are additional factors that put you at a greater risk for getting a UTI if you're a man, including: (1,4)

• An enlarged prostate gland
• Kidney stones
• Diabetes
• Bladder catheter insertion
• Any health condition that affects the immune system
• Unprotected anal intercourse

Recognizing UTI Symptoms in Men

Some people don’t have any symptoms with a urinary tract infection, which usually entails an inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and can also involve an infection of the lower or upper urinary tract, and — in more serious cases — the kidneys. In addition, not every man, woman, or child who gets a UTI has typical UTI symptoms, but most do exhibit at least one or more signs of infection. And when men do get UTIs, their symptoms are generally not too different from those that women experience. Common UTI symptoms include: (1)

• Frequent urination
• A strong, constant urge to urinate
• Releasing only small amounts of urine at a time
• Cloudy, bloody, or bad-smelling urine
• Suprapubic (lower abdominal) pain
• Burning or pain during urination

Any of these symptoms accompanied by lower back pain, fever, nausea, or chills could indicate a kidney infection — a serious problem that needs prompt treatment.

RELATED: The Link Between UTIs and Sex: Causes and How to Prevent Them

How UTIs in Men Are Diagnosed

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria (or, less commonly, a virus or even a fungus) enters the urinary tract. In fact, according to the National Kidney Foundation, one particular bacteria, E. coli, causes 80 to 90 percent of all UTI cases. (5)

Diagnosing a urinary tract infection in men is initially the same as it is for women, consisting of a urine culture. But because a UTI in a man is often considered complicated, according to Dr. Trost, additional testing is usually necessary to determine why he got a UTI.

“This typically includes not only a urinary culture to confirm an infection, but also a special study to evaluate how much urine he leaves behind after urinating, and an imaging study, such as a CT [computerized tomography] scan, to evaluate for kidney stones or other anatomic abnormalities that may be causing this,” he explains.

If a man has recurrent infections or infections with the same organism, or UTI-like symptoms without a positive urine culture, then further testing may be necessary.

Any man who suspects he may have a UTI should see his doctor right away so that he can begin treatment as soon as possible.

RELATED: Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lowered Risk Of Urinary Tract 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. (1) 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 to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Men

Younger men can’t do too much in terms of preventing a UTI, according to Trost. But older men can take a few steps to lower their risk. “One of the best defense mechanisms against UTIs is to completely empty the bladder every time you urinate,” says urologist Howard B. Goldman MD, professor and institute vice chairman for quality at the Glickman Urologic and Kidney Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

It’s also important to drink lots of fluids, especially water, every day. If you already have a UTI, drinking plenty of fluids can help push the bacteria out of the urinary tract — and in some very mild UTI cases, that could be enough to treat it. (1) But 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 proper UTI treatment, the infection can quickly spread and become a serious — and 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. It’s important that you get these symptoms checked out promptly, too.

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. (6) 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. (6)

Though there’s 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. (7) Talk to your doctor if you think there’s 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.