Men Can Get UTIs, Too
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are often thought of as a female-only problem. And indeed, they do tend to be more common in women. But they can absolutely develop in men, too. As a man, it's important to know the basics about male UTIs so you can recognize the signs and seek care from a local urologist when needed. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection is when foreign organisms, which are almost always bacteria, proliferate within the urinary tract. This can happen anywhere in the urinary tract, from the urethra, to the bladder, to the kidneys. Most UTIs start in the urethra. If you can catch and treat them at this point, they won't typically spread. But if you don't have your UTI treated promptly, it may spread up to your bladder, and then further up to your kidneys. The further the UTI travels, the more symptoms it causes and the harder it becomes to treat. This is why you need to see a urologist as soon as you start to suspect you have a UTI.
What are the signs of a UTI?
In men and women, one of the key signs of a UTI is constantly feeling like you have to urinate. You may go to the bathroom, urinate just a little, and then immediately feel like you have to go again. Men, especially, tend to feel a lot of burning when they urinate. You may also notice that your urine is cloudy or has an odd odor. As the infection progresses, you might start to experience pain in your lower back or in the area where your penis ties into your pelvic region. Sometimes, you may develop a fever, chills, or nausea.
How is a UTI diagnosed and treated?
If you head to the urologist complaining of the symptoms above, they'll likely take a urine sample, and they may conduct an ultrasound to see how far the infection will spread. If you do, indeed, have a UTI, they will likely prescribe antibiotics for you to take. You should start to feel better within a few days of using the antibiotics, but you'll need to keep taking them for the full duration that they are prescribed to you in order to completely clear the infection.
Men can get UTIs, too. Make sure you stay on the lookout for common signs and contact a urologist if you notice them.