A urinary tract infection is an accumulation of unhealthy bacteria in the urinary system

Urinary tract infections are often thought of as a woman’s health condition. In truth, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect men too. 

Quick Read:

  • The urinary system is a complex one and includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.
  • Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat UTIs.
  • Be sure to complete your course of antibiotics to help prevent recurring UTIs.

Understanding the urinary tract system

We all have a urinary system, with various parts, which all work together to produce urine and expel it from the body. The kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters are the main components that are tasked to make urine and filter out waste and fluid from the blood. Unfortunately, sometimes, an infection crops up in the tract (a UTI). This infection is most likely an accumulation of unhealthy bacteria.

What does a UTI feel like?

One of the most obvious signs of a UTI is the urge to pee constantly. Others include:

  • Burning or tingling sensation during and after urination
  • Pain after urination
  • Excessive urination at night
  • Pain, burning, or discomfort while peeing or just after
  • Wetting the bed
  • Cloudy or smelly urine
  • Blood in your urine
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Pain in your sides or upper back
Urinary tract infection symptoms

Why do men get urinary tract infections?

A few factors can come into play.

An enlarged prostate gland may cause the neck of the bladder to become restricted. This makes it difficult for urine to flow easily and the bladder doesn’t ever become completely empty. (Which is why you’re constantly peeing, even if you’ve just gone). Unfortunately, this means that bacteria tend to stay behind in the bladder, leading to infections. Prostatitis is the actual infection of the prostate.

A sexually transmitted infection is another common UTI culprit. An STI spreads bacteria or viruses that may infect the urinary tract. Which brings on the constant urge to urinate, or pain during urination.

Other conditions that can result in a UTI include kidney stones and diabetes. Kidney stones can block the urinary tract, trapping bacteria and making it easier for an infection to develop. The blockage prevents urine from fully emptying, creating exactly the environment that bacteria love! Diabetics, often due to a weaker immune system and more glucose in the urine, are also vulnerable to UTIs.

Help at hand

Please don’t ignore these symptoms, especially if you’ve had a sexually transmitted disease or have a medical condition like diabetes. Without treatment, UTIs can cause detrimental problems in your kidneys and lead to renal disease or even kidney failure.

The good news is that a UTI is usually treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe a course after a urine test and the UTI normally clears up after five to seven days. In the meantime, you can also do a lot to minimise your chances of a urinary tract infection.

  1. No coffee, tea, and alcohol before bedtime. Stop having these liquids at least a few hours before you go to sleep.
  2. If you have a medical condition, take your medication consistently.
  3. Get your weight under control if you’re seriously overweight.
  4. Wear a condom during sex to protect yourself against STDs and reduce your chances of getting a UTI.
  5. Stay up-to-date with your prostate exams. Prostate issues can be treated to reduce your health risks.
  6. Drink plenty of water as soon as you notice symptoms, and keep urinating as you need.
  7. Monitor your temperature. A severe UTI can bring on a fever, which is usually a sign of a more serious infection.
  8. If you do suspect you have a UTI, please don’t have sex and risk passing on the bacteria, until you see a doctor.
  9. When showering or bathing, try not to use heavily fragranced soaps and body washes.
  10. Cranberry juice may help to manage some of the milder symptoms of a UTI until you can see a doctor.

Images: Freepik

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