What Is A Urinary Tract Infection In Men

Is It Safe To Treat Utis Without Antibiotics

Antibiotics are effective treatments for UTIs. Sometimes, the body can resolve minor, uncomplicated UTIs on its own, without antibiotics.

Complicated UTIs require medical treatment. These are some factors that can make the infection complicated:

• changes in the urinary tract or organs, such as a swollen prostate or reduced flow of urine

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

Read Also: E Coli In Urinary Tract

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.

Read Also: Lower Back Pain Causing Urinary Problems

Urinary Tract Infections In Women

UTIs are common, particularly with increasing age. Women are more likely to get a UTI than men. Nearly 1 in 3 women will have a UTI needing treatment before the age of 24.

In women, the urethra is short and straight, making it easier for germs to travel into the bladder. For some women, UTIs relate to changes in their hormonal levels. Some are more likely to get an infection during certain times in their menstrual cycle, such as just before a period or during pregnancy.

In older women, the tissues of the urethra and bladder become thinner and drier with age as well as after menopause or a hysterectomy. This can be linked to increased UTIs.

During pregnancy, the drainage system from the kidney to the bladder widens so urine does not drain as quickly. This makes it easier to get a UTI. Sometimes germs can move from the bladder to the kidney causing a kidney infection. UTIs during pregnancy can result in increased blood pressure, so it is very important to have them treated as soon as possible.

Women are more at risk of repeated UTIs if they:

• use spermicide jelly or diaphragm for contraception
• have had a new sexual partner in the last year
• had their first UTI at or before 15 years of age
• have a family history of repeated UTIs, particularly their mother
• suffer from constipation

Men And Urinary Tract Infections

Q. What causes urinary tract infections and are men at risk for getting them?

A. Although urinary tract infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. They occur when bacteria build up somewhere along your urinary tract. In men, UTIs can develop in the urethra , the bladder, the prostate, or the kidney.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

• Research health conditions
• Prepare for a doctor’s visit or test
• Find the best treatments and procedures for you
• Explore options for better nutrition and exercise

Recommended Reading: What Is Urinary Tract Disease

Urinary Tract Infection In Men: Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Urinary tract infection in men is a very painful experience. It is caused usually by bacteria which attack the bladder and affects the urethra. The bacteria can go as far as affecting kidneys or the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Although women are more prone to this infection, men get it too under some circumstances. The best part is, although there are some home remedies to it, UTIs can be treated using antibiotics.

In this article we have given you the symptoms to look out for when you feel you have the infection and also the treatment you will get. Keep scrolling and be in the know.

Urinary Tract Infections In Babies And Young Children

Babies and children are at risk of UTIs. These infections always need to be investigated as they may indicate a serious underlying condition, such as urinary reflux. Reflux is caused by a bladder valve problem allowing urine to flow back into the kidneys from the bladder. Reflux can cause the urine to stay inside the body increasing the risk of infection. It may lead to kidney scarring, which in turn leads to high blood pressure and sometimes kidney problems.

Read Also: How To Relieve Urinary Tract Pain

What Is The Outlook

The vast majority of men improve within a few days of starting treatment. See a doctor if you do not quickly improve. If your symptoms do not improve despite taking an antibiotic medicine then you may need an alternative antibiotic. This is because some germs are resistant to some types of antibiotics. This can be identified from tests done on your urine sample.

Occasionally the infection may spread and cause you to be more unwell. Infection in the bladder may spread to the kidney . Infection may also spread to involve the prostate gland, causing infection of the prostate gland .Occasionally it may lead to a swelling caused by a collection of pus in the prostate gland.

Eating Diet & Nutrition

Experts dont think eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in preventing or treating bladder infections. If you have any type of UTI, talk with a health care professional about how much to drink each day to help prevent or relieve your infection.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and other components of the National Institutes of Health conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

Recommended Reading: Food Similar To Royal Canin Urinary So

What If The Infection Does Not Clear Up With Treatment

Most infections clear up with treatment. However, if an infection does not clear up, or if you have repeated infections, you may be given some special tests such as:

• a type of x-ray called an intravenous pyleogram , which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking pictures of your kidney and bladder

• an ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves

• a cytoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside the bladder.

What Causes Complicated Uti Symptoms

Escherichia coli is a bacteria and a primary culprit in most UTI cases. E. coli bacteria exist naturally in peoples bodies, but when these bacteria invade the urinary tract, they can become infectious.

These factors may present a more significant threat with UTIs and result in more complicated UTI symptoms:

• A previous history of UTIs
• Being physically inactive for a prolonged time
• Using a urinary catheter for a long time
• Drinking too little healthy fluids, especially water
• Recent surgery to the kidney or urinary tract
• Blockage to the urinary tract
• Suffering from any type of diabetes
• Experiencing fecal incontinence

Knowing the increased risks of UTIs can help you stay healthy and avoid a UTI. Lets talk about prevention!

Also Check: Purina Pro Plan Urinary For Dogs

Acute And Chronic Prostatitis

In the 1800s, prostatitis was thought to be secondary to excessive alcohol consumption or physical or sexual activity. It was often associated with gonorrhea and could be fatal or lead to abscess formation. By the 1920s, most cases were attributed to microorganisms, and antibiotics combined with prostate massage were standard therapy after World War II. Although the role of bacteria was questioned in the 1950s, it was reemphasized in 1968 when Meares and Stamey described their “4-glass test.”

Acute prostatitis is caused by an acute infection of the entire prostate gland, resulting in fever and localized pain. Microscopically, neutrophilic infiltrates, diffuse edema, and microabscesses may be seen, which may coalesce into larger collections.

Chronic prostatitis may be caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory diseases. This condition may arise via dysfunctional voiding, intraprostatic reflux, chronic exposure to microorganisms, autoimmune mechanisms, irritative urinary metabolites, and as a variant of neuropathic pain. Chronic bacterial prostatitis often produces few or no symptoms related to the prostate, but it is probably the most common cause of relapsing UTI in men.

Chronic prostatitis has been subdivided by the National Institutes of Health into the following categories:

Recognizing Uti Symptoms In Men

Some people dont have any symptoms with a urinary tract infection, which usually entails an inflammation of the bladder 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:

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

Read Also: Natural Cure For Urinary Tract Infection In Dogs

What Are The Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection In Men

• Urinary Tract Infections in Men are usually caused due to infection by bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, or Staphylococcus
• The infection can spread from the urethra through the urinary tract and reach the bloodstream from the kidneys
• Rarely, fungus and other parasites can also cause UTI in Men

How Can Urinary Tract Infection In Men Be Prevented

The following factors may help prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Men or reduce the risk for an infection:

• Drinking large amounts of water to increase urination, which can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
• Emptying the bladder after intercourse
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene, especially before and after sexual activities
• Having safe sex, such as by using condoms and avoiding multiple partners
• Avoiding holding-in of the urine regularly: Postponing urination when there is an urge to urinate can cause pooling of urine within the bladder. Such pooling over a prolonged period of time can create an environment for favorable bacterial growth
• Keeping diabetes under control
• Sexual partners may also have to be treated for infections
• Individuals with poor immune system have to be additionally careful as they are higher prone to infections

Also Check: Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence In Child

Can Males Get Uti From Females

UTIs affect women more as compared to men primarily because the urethra of women is shorter hence bacteria can easily travel to the urinary tract and attach itself there.

It is possible for a man to get a urinary tract infection from a woman during sexual intercourse. Although most men get UTIs from the bacteria E. Coli, which lives in the body. Therefore, it is necessary for both the man and woman to take necessary precautions to prevent getting the infection.

Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
• Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
• Take showers instead of tub baths.
• Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
• Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
• Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
• Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

You May Like: Causes Of Urinary Frequency And Burning

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.

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.

You May Like: Royal Canin Urinary Canine Treats 17.6 Oz

Who Is More Likely To Develop A Bladder Infection

People of any age or sex can develop bladder infections, but women are at higher risk than men. Some people are more prone to getting these infections than others, especially those who have certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors.

You are more likely to develop a bladder infection if you

• are sexually active

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.

Dont Miss: Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Urinary Tract Infection

Don’t Miss: Exercises To Prevent Urinary Incontinence

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 Does It Occur

Normally the urinary tract does not have any bacteria or other organisms in it. Bacteria that cause UTI often spread from the rectum to the urethra and then to the bladder or kidneys. Sometimes bacteria spread from another part of the body through the bloodstream to the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is less common in men than in women because the male urethra is long, making it difficult for bacteria to spread to the bladder.

Urinary tract infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes a stone in the urinary tract blocks the flow of urine and causes an infection. In older men, an enlarged prostate can cause a urinary tract infection by keeping urine from draining out of the bladder completely. Infection might also be caused by the use of a catheter used to drain the bladder or by urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra by scar tissue from previous infections or surgical procedures.

You may be more likely to have a UTI if you have diabetes or another medical problem that affects the immune system.

Don’t Miss: Urinary Tract Yeast Infection Treatment

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.