8 symptoms of urinary tract infection in men (and how to treat them)

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Despite being more common in women, urinary tract infection can also affect men, especially after age 50, due to conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, which make it difficult to pass urine and facilitate the development of bacteria and other microorganisms. .

It is advisable to consult a urologist when symptoms such as:

  1. Frequent urge to urinate;
  2. Pain and burning when urinating;
  3. Difficulty holding urine;
  4. Cloudy and strong-smelling urine;
  5. Waking up at night to go to the bathroom;
  6. low fever;
  7. Presence of blood in the urine;
  8. Pain in the groin area or lower back.

It is also possible that these symptoms may arise from an STI or change in the prostate and, therefore, the urologist may order several tests to identify the correct cause and initiate the most appropriate treatment.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of male urinary tract infection is mainly based on the history of symptoms and through the urinalysis, which will identify the presence of microorganisms that may be causing the infection. The microorganisms that are most often found in people with a urinary tract infection are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus .

In addition, the doctor may ask questions about sex life to identify risk factors for infections or STIs, and may also perform a digital rectal exam to check for any changes in the size of the prostate.

In young men who have signs of an enlarged prostate, the urologist may also recommend tests such as a CT scan, ultrasound, and/or cystoscopy, to assess for other urinary tract problems. Learn about the 6 exams that evaluate the prostate .

Who is most at risk?

Some of the factors that can increase a man's risk of developing a urinary tract infection are:

  • Having unprotected anal sex;
  • Use a tube to urinate;
  • Having an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as a family history of this disease;
  • Drink few liquids;
  • Holding the urge to urinate for a long time and too often;
  • Having urine reflux from the bladder to the kidneys;
  • Kidney stone;
  • Diabetes;
  • Suffer from multiple sclerosis or other neurological disease;
  • Have chronic kidney failure;
  • Tumors in the urinary tract;
  • Use of certain medications;
  • Chronic prostatitis.

In addition, men who are not circumcised are also more likely to develop urinary tract infections, as excess skin on the penis makes it difficult to clean and increases the risk of proliferation of microorganisms in the place.

How is the treatment done?

Treatment for a urinary tract infection is based on the cause of the problem, and antibiotics are usually required.

In general, symptoms begin to improve after about 2 days of antibiotic use, but in more severe cases, longer treatment, lasting two or more weeks, or hospital admission may be necessary.

Also watch the following video and learn what to eat to prevent a urinary tract infection: