Male Urinary Tract Infection Causes

What Causes A Bladder Infection

Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder can cause infections. Typically, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.

Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of your bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the bodys ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.

Most bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli. This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines.

• a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called urgency
• cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back

When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with an infection in the kidneys. Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity.

A kidney infection will often cause:

Youll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.

Anyone can get bladder infections, but there are different risks for women and men.

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Other Ways To Prevent Some Utis Coming Back

If you keep getting a bladder infection , there’s some evidence it may be helpful to take:

• D-mannose a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day
• cranberry products available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day

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.

If you’re taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.

Page last reviewed: 22 March 2022 Next review due: 22 March 2025

Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

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How Can I Prevent Utis

If you have repeated UTIs, try these self-help measures to prevent recurring infections:

• Drink more fluids to help flush out bacteria.
• Urinate as soon as you feel the need.
• Urinate immediately after intercourse.
• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants.
• Find an alternative method of birth control if you use spermicides.
• Dont use perfumed soaps, talcum powder or deodorant around the genital area.
• Avoid constipation.
• Use lubricant gel with intercourse if the vaginal area is dry.

There is conflicting evidence for drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. If you want to try cranberry products, ask your doctor for advice.

If infections are an ongoing problem, you may need to be referred to an urologist for further treatment.

Older Adults Dont Need Powerful Antibiotics For Utis

Treatment for UTIs should begin with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, say Dr. Lathia and Dr. Goldman.

These drugs are less likely to lead to antibiotic resistance and problematic side effects than broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Today, amoxicillin is commonly prescribed as first-line treatment for UTIs in older adults.

Other common narrow-spectrum must be used with caution when patients have chronic kidney disease or take blood pressure medication, as many older adults do or because their side effects can be serious in older adults.

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How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And Bladder Infection

Bladder infections are a type of UTI that involves the lower urinary tract, including the bladder. A bladder infection can spread to other parts of your urinary tract or kidneys if left untreated. The symptoms of bladder infections and UTIs can be similar. See a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, such as painful or frequent urination, pain in your central lower abdomen, or blood in your urine.

What Is Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection means that there is an infection in your urinary system including

• Bladder- an organ that collects and stores urine.

• Urethra- a tube that takes urine from your bladder out of the body.

It is an infection in the urinary tract that begins at the urethra on the bottom, but if it is not treated, it moves up toward the kidneys. This is why it’s important to deal with this problem immediately.

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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.

Seek Medical Attention For Utis

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.

Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics.

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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.

Whos Most Likely To Get A Kidney Infection

Women and children are most at risk of developing a kidney infection, as well as other urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

Other factors can also put you more at risk of developing a kidney infection, including:

• having a condition that blocks, or obstructs, your urinary tract, such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate children with constipation can also be at an increased risk
• being born with an abnormality in your urinary tract
• having a condition that prevents you emptying your bladder fully, such as an injury to your spinal cord this can allow bacteria in your bladder to multiply and spread
• having a weakened immune system for example, due to type 2 diabetes or as a side effect of chemotherapy
• having an infection of the prostate gland called prostatitis the infection can spread from the prostate gland into the kidneys
• having a urinary catheter
• being female and sexually active sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra and allow bacteria to travel into your bladder
• being pregnant this can cause physical changes that slow the flow of urine out of your body and make it easier for bacteria to spread to the kidneys
• having undergone female genital mutilation an illegal practice where a womans genitals are deliberately cut or changed for cultural, religious and social reasons

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you should see a doctor. Your symptoms could mean that you have a UTI or another condition, eg, a sexually transmitted infection STI, prostatitis or pyelonephritis.Symptoms of a UTI include:

• pain or burning during or immediately after peeing
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night
• pain in your lower tummy
• feeling the need to pee more often
• needing to pee without much warning
• suprapubic pain
• recent antibiotic use
• urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish.

Older men may have no symptoms or fever. Often the only symptoms are being more muddled, sleepier, incontinent, off food, or just generally unwell. Confusion and sleepiness can put older adults at risk of falls.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Utis

UTIs can cause such signs as:

• pain, burning, or a stinging sensation when peeing
• an increased urge or more frequent need to pee
• waking up at night a lot to go to the bathroom
• belly pain in the area of the bladder
• foul-smelling pee that may look cloudy or contain blood

If you have any symptoms of a UTI, youll need to go to a doctor right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the less uncomfortable youll be. Call your doctors office or clinic. If you cant reach your doctor, you can visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. The most important thing is to take action as soon as possible.

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How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infection In Men

Most cases of urinary tract infections in men cannot be prevented. Having safe sex using a condom will help prevent sexually transmitted infections.

In men with benign prostatic enlargement, reducing the use of caffeine and alcohol or taking certain prescription medications can help improve urine flow and prevent urine buildup in the bladder. Therefore, these measures reduce the possibility of infection.

Many men with a urinary infection due to an enlarged prostate gland need surgery to remove part of the gland. This surgery can help prevent infections as it can improve urine flow.

How Can Utis Be Prevented

The best prevention is making sure first there is nothing anatomical that needs to be corrected, such as an enlarged prostate, kidney stone or blockage.

Proper hygiene can help prevent infections. Men with uncircumcised penises should make sure they can retract the foreskin and clean under the foreskin and the glans properly. Cranberry supplements have been shown to help prevent infections. Staying hydrated by drinking enough fluids/water during the day can also help. Making sure you dont hold your urine can help, too. Staying in good health to avoid chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease will also protect against infections.

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Urinary Tract Infections In Men

Men can get UTIs, particularly if they have trouble with urine flow. Older men who experience prostatitis are at a higher risk. If the bladder is not emptying properly, the build up ofurine makes it more difficult to cure the infection.

A small number of young men may get a UTI. In males, this is usually the result of a sexually transmitted disease.

A Urinary Tract Infection Can Spread To Other Parts Of The Body

First, a little primer on how UTIs happen: Bacteria gets into the urinary system, which includes the kidneys and the bladder. This typically happens through the urethra . The bacteria then begins to multiply once in the system, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The infection is most often seen or located in the bladder, but it can happen in any part of the urinary tract.

In some cases particularly if left untreated the infection can spread to the kidneys or other parts of the body, and sometimes make its way into the bloodstream. Complications from this can include permanent kidney damage. It can also lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication. As part of the process of responding to an infection, the body releases chemicals into the blood stream to fight it off. Sepsis can occur when the bodys response to those chemicals becomes out of balance, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can result in damage to your organs.

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Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

If your UTI comes back after treatment, you may have a urine test and be prescribed different antibiotics.

Your doctor or nurse will also offer advice on how to prevent UTIs.

If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, a GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics.

If you have been through the menopause, you may be offered a vaginal cream containing oestrogen.

What Puts Certain Men At A Higher Risk For Utis

There are many reasons why a guy may get a UTI all of them we take seriously and should not be ignored.

Men older than 50 tend to get more infections than younger men. As a urologist, I see men get recurrent infections when they do not properly empty their bladder because of an enlarged prostate. Beyond the prostate, men may not empty their bladder if they have nerve damage from stroke, uncontrolled diabetes or injury to the spine. Men can also get infections that start from the prostate or testicles that seed up into the bladder, or the opposite can happen where the infection goes from the bladder to the other organs. Kidney stones can also be a cause of infection.

Younger men may also present with urinary infections because of sexually transmitted diseases. Men can also get an infection if they have a recent procedure done in the urinary system.

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What Is Uti Urine Infection Symptoms And Causes Remedy

Urine InfectionUrinary Tract Infectionis mostly caused by bacteria to some people fungus or virus or stomach? It is caused by a malfunction or a disorder in the kidneys.

You can get a urinary tract infection anywhere from the urinary duct to the bladder. Most people have a lower urinary tract and bladder. Some have mild and some have severe infections.Urine infections are more common in adults than in children and are more common in women and girls than men.

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How Do I Know If The Treatment Isnt Working

If the treatment isnt working, your symptoms will stay the same, get worse, or you will develop new symptoms. Call your doctor if you have a fever , chills, lower stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.

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What Are Urinary Tract Infections

The infection can occur anywhere along the urinary tract, that includes your kidneys, bladder, the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder , and the tube that connects your bladder to the outside of your body are all included . However, urinary tract infections most commonly involve the lower urinary tract the bladder and the urethra.

Are Urinary Tract Infections Contagious

No. Urinary tract infections are not contagious.

• Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pressure or pain
• Mild fever , chills, and just not feeling well
• Urethra : Burning with urination

Upper urinary tract infection

Symptoms develop rapidly and may or may not include the symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection.

• Fairly high fever
• Flank pain: pain in the back or side, usually on only one side at about waist level

In newborns, infants, children, and elderly people, the classic symptoms of a urinary tract infection may not be present. Other symptoms may indicate a urinary tract infection.

• Newborns: fever or hypothermia , poor feeding, jaundice
• Infants: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, poor feeding, not thriving
• Children: irritability, eating poorly, unexplained fever that doesnt go away, loss of bowel control, loose bowels, change in urination pattern
• Elderly people: fever or hypothermia, poor appetite, lethargy, change in mental status

Pregnant women are at increased risk for a UTI. Typically, pregnant women do not have unusual or unique symptoms. If a woman is pregnant, her urine should be checked during prenatal visits because an unrecognized infection can cause pregnancy health complications.

Although most people have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, some do not.

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What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.

More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.