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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) In Men: Everything You Should Know
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in your bladder, kidneys, or ureters.
Your ureters are the tubes that drain urine from your kidneys into your bladder.
UTIs commonly happen when bacteria from your skin or rectum enter your urethra, which is the tube through which you pass urine. This leads to infection.
Are there different types of UTIs?
There are two categories of UTI: uncomplicated and complicated.
UTIs that are considered uncomplicated typically affect healthy, non-pregnant females. With antibiotic treatment, uncomplicated UTIs typically resolve in 3 days to 6 weeks.
Complicated UTIs refer to urinary tract infections that affect the following groups:
If you think you may have a UTI, it's best to contact your doctor. They will typically make a diagnosis using a sample of your urine. However, they may also recommend an ultrasound to check for any abnormalities in your urinary system.
People with vaginas typically have shorter urethras that are closer to the rectum. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
The prostate wraps around the urethra where it connects to bladder. Because of this, an enlarged prostate can compress the bladder neck, restricting urine flow. If the bladder does not empty completely, bacteria that are normally flushed out with urine can gain a foothold.
Some UTI symptoms are similar in males and females, and can include:
Males may also experience:
Symptoms of prostate infection (bacterial prostatitis)
If a UTI becomes acute, it can lead to a prostate infection in males. Signs you may have prostate infection include:
A UTI happens when a bacterium or virus enters your urinary tract through your urethra. For males, this is the tube that drains urine from your bladder through your penis.
Most UTIs in males are caused by the bacterium E. Coli, which is naturally present in your body. This type of UTI is more likely in males ages 60 years and older.
While less common, UTI symptoms in males under the age of 35 years are more likely to be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), like gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Factors that increase the risk of UTIs in males include:
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first perform a physical exam and ask about your:
Your doctor will then collect a urine sample to check for bacteria and white blood cells, which indicate an infection. If an infection is present, they may send the sample to a lab to identify the bacteria.
If you have no signs of an enlarged prostate, your doctor may order additional tests to check for abnormalities in your urinary tract. These can include an ultrasound or CT scan.
Treatment for a UTI typically involves taking a course of antibiotics for 10 to 14 days. For people with prostates, this may be longer due to the additional risk of prostate infection.
After starting antibiotics, UTI symptoms usually improve within 24 to 48 hours.
Fluid intake
If urinating with a UTI is uncomfortable, you may be tempted to reduce your fluid intake.
However, drinking adequate fluids with a UTI can help flush harmful bacteria from your system.
Additionally, it's important to stay hydrated while taking antibiotics.
A note about antibioticsIt's important to finish all the antibiotics your doctor has prescribed, even if you're feeling better.
Stopping your antibiotics prematurely can encourage the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Talk with your doctor if you still have symptoms after taking antibiotics.
If you suspect you have a UTI, seek immediate medical attention.
UTIs in males are generally considered complicated. This is because they are typically caused by factors like an enlarged prostate or other underlying issues.
Without treatment, a complicated UTI may lead to more serious complications.
Kidney infection (acute pyelonephritis)
If a UTI spreads to your upper urinary tract, it can potentially lead to a kidney infection.
In most cases, antibiotics are effective for kidney infections caused by a UTI. However, if the condition progresses, it may lead to more serious complications, like urosepsis or kidney failure.
Symptoms of a bacterial kidney infection due to a UTI include:
Bacterial prostatitis
In some cases, an UTI can lead to a bacterial infection of the prostate gland, known as bacterial prostatitis.
Without treatment, bacterial prostatitis can become difficult to treat and may potentially be life threatening.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include:
Urosepsis
Sepsis is a life threatening condition. It occurs when your immune system has an extreme response to an infection, leading to organ damage.
In some cases, onset of sepsis can occur quickly, leading to severe illness in a short period of time.
Urosepsis refers to sepsis caused by infections of the urinary tract.
Treatment for urosepsis typically involves a hospital stay, antibiotics, and intravenous fluids.
Sepsis in an emergencySepsis is a life threatening infection. If you or someone else may have sepsis, seek immediate emergency medical attention by calling 911 or your local emergency services.
How can you tell the difference between a UTI and bladder infection?
Bladder infections are a type of lower urinary tract infection. Without treatment, a bladder infection can spread to other parts of your urinary tract or kidneys. The symptoms of bladder infections and UTIs can be similar. Contact a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI.
Is it possible to treat a UTI at home without the use of antibiotics?
Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for UTIs. While some UTIs may resolve on their own, delaying treatment increases your risk of complications, like kidney infection or sepsis.
Are cranberries good for UTIs?
Cranberry juice and supplements are a popular home remedy for UTIs.
According to a 2024 review of studies, compounds in cranberry may improve UTI symptoms by inhibiting bacterial growth.
However, most of these studies involved female participants, and increased fluid intake with cranberry juice may be a factor. Because of this, more research is needed to confirm whether cranberries can help speed recovery in males.
Man Claims E.coli Infection In His Penis Was From A Bidet – But Doctors Aren't So Sure
A MAN claims his member was infected with drug resistant E.Coli - after using a bidet.
Initially thinking he had a cold or "man flu", business owner Molson Hart said the superbug left him doubled over in pain and "peeing blood".
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Molton Hart claimed he got drug resistant E. Coli from using a bidetCredit: X / Molson_HartThe dad took to X - formerly Twitter - to described his symptoms and resulting trip to the ER in rather vivid detail.
He claimed water had splashed onto his penis while he was using a bidet - a basin or toilet attachment that cleans your nether regions with a jet of water - causing the bacteria to enter his urethra.
But doctors and other social media users have cast doubt on whether it was even physically possible.
E.Coli is a group of bacteria known for causing nasty gut infections.
But they can also be responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Since being posted on October 20, Molson's post has garnered over 36 million views and thousands of comments and likes.
Molson, who owns an educational toy company, said he'd started feeling unwell on October 14.
As everyone in his family had a cold, the dad assumed this was "no big deal".
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McDonald's E.Coli victim named as family say he 'put trust' in restaurantBut by the next day he was wondering: "Man, why do I get so sick when everyone else is fine? Man flu, I guess."
By Wednesday, Molson was feeling pretty rotten and noticed an unpleasant burning feeling when he was peeing.
Dr Philippa Kaye Answers Most Embarrassing Men's Health QuestionsThursday saw Molson "doubled over in pain after peeing" and grappling a raging fever.
His wife convinced him to visit a doctor, where he was diagnosed with a UTI after urine tests.
Molson was prescribed antibiotics and started taking them. But things took dramatic turn when, the following day, Molson passed blood clots while peeing.
Recalling his thoughts at the time, he wrote: "Ohhhh that really hurts. Is that a booger? Oh no it's coagulated blood."
Molson rushed to the ER, where he was told that the clots were probably caused by the UTI and "not something worse because [his] kidneys don't hurt".
"They prescribe backup antibiotics in case my UTI is resistant to what I'm on, but it's unlikely," he wrote.
To the business owner's surprise, he received a call from the physician's associate who saw to him on the Thursday.
What is a UTI?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by E.Coli bacteria - found in poo - entering the urinary tract.
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra).
Women are more likely than men to pick up UTIs as they have a shorter urethra than men.
This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
According to the NHS, things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:
Check if it's a UTI
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:
Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water.
What to do if you think you have a UTI
If you think you have UTI symptoms, you should speak to your GP to discuss treatment options.
Most people will need antibiotics.
Some people may be prescribed a 'delayed antibiotic', meaning they'll be asked only to use it if their symptoms don't go away after a certain amount of time.
If you keep getting UTIs, your GP might recommend you have a low dose of antibiotics over a long period of time or refer you to a specialist for more tests and treatments.
For women who have gone through menopause, there is evidence that vaginal oestrogen creams can reduce UTI symptoms.
Source: NHS
He claims he was told: "You have E. Coli that is resistant to the antibiotics you're on."
Molson said: "That explains why I ended up at ER. [The] infection was not being affected by drugs."
This left Molson wondering "how the **** did I get E.Coli?"
He theorised that using a bidet many have given him the UTI.
This is how he put it: "When you use a bidet it shoots water at your butthole and E. Coli is in healthy people.
"Well I shot water into my butt which then ended up getting shot into my penis. That's the best explanation I can come up with!"
But commenters were quick to cast doubt on this theory.
One said: "I don't get it. Doesn't a bidet shoot clean water?
"Are you saying the splash into the bowl gave you E. Coli?"
Urologists commenting on the post also questioned whether this was possible.
One, called Dario, highlighted how E.Coli was one of the most common causes of UTIs in general, and it could have multiple causes beyond Molson's alleged bidet mishap.
He wrote: "E.Coli is one of the most common UTI pathogens and in males, it can occur from urinary obstruction, residual urine and foreign bodies in the urinary tract (like stones).
"You didn't get it from a bidet.
"The fact that yours was resistant to an antibiotic is concerning, as is your presentation with hematuria."
Molson thanked him for his comment and promised to see a urologist after finishing his course of antibiotics.
Other commenters, however, seemed to assume that Molson was coming up with an elaborate excuse to explain how he got the antibiotic resistant UTI.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, most UTIs are in fact caused by E. Coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.
In most cases, you'll be given painkillers and a course of antibiotics to clear a UTI up.
There are things you can do yourself too.
The NHS recommends taking paracetamol to reduce pain and high temperature, abstaining from sex, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
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