Can Men Get a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

Anyone can get a urinary tract infection (UTI) — including men. That may come as a surprise to some. But up to 20% of males (1 in 5) will have a UTI at some point in their lives, even though they have longer urethras that help keep bacteria out of their bladder. That means if you have a penis, you should be aware of the signs and seek medical care if you ever experience symptoms.

Urologist Andrew Altman, MD, explains when and why men get UTIs and how to treat them.

What causes UTIs in men?

UTIs occur when bacteria on your skin enter your urethra and multiply. From there, they can make their way up to your bladder, causing a bladder infection (the most common type of UTI). Sometimes, bacteria can travel from your bladder to your kidneys, causing a kidney infection, which can be serious.

Because it’s harder for bacteria to infect male urethras, a UTI is usually a red flag that something else is going on. “Male UTIs tend to be more complicated because there’s often another medical problem causing it,” says Dr. Altman. “This means we need to look for the root cause of the infection so we can address it either by doing additional tests or taking a longer course of antibiotics.”

Some of the causes of UTIs include:

Diabetes

Diabetes can suppress your immune system, lowering your ability to fight illnesses and infections. But it does something else to raise UTI risk.

“People with diabetes often have more glucose (sugar) in their urine,” says Dr. Altman. “The glucose acts as food for bacteria and allows them to thrive. Certain diabetes medications also increase glucose in your urine, potentially causing UTIs as a side effect.”

Immune deficiencies

Some conditions directly interfere with your immune system, including primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs), cancer and HIV. “Just like with diabetes, these conditions make it harder for your body to fend off germs, including those that cause UTIs,” explains Dr. Altman. “Taking immunosuppressant drugs can also raise your risk.”

Urinary retention

Some conditions and medications can cause urinary retention, which means your bladder doesn’t completely empty when you pee. This can be a problem because bacteria like to set up shop in leftover urine. And if that urine sits in your bladder long enough, it becomes a potential breeding ground for germs.

Men might have urinary retention if they have:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a common condition that makes your prostate gland grow too large. “An enlarged prostate can squeeze your urethra, making it difficult to empty your bladder,” explains Dr. Altman.
• Urethral strictures. You can develop urethral strictures (scarring inside your urethra) from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or injuries to your genital area. The scarring can interfere with your urine stream, causing weak or low flow.
• Urinary stones. Bladder and kidney stones can block your urine flow, making it difficult to fully empty your bladder. “Bacteria can also collect on urinary stones and lead to a UTI,” adds Dr. Altman.

Sexual intercourse

You can also get UTIs after sex, but UTIs are not STIs.

Unlike STIs, which are viruses and bacteria that spread from person to person during sex, you can’t give someone else a UTI. UTIs often occur as a result of sex because everyone has bacteria living on their skin. If your urethra comes into contact with those bacteria, those tiny organisms might jump at the chance to get inside.

“Anal sex poses a higher risk of a UTI because there are more bacteria in that area,” says Dr. Altman. “But in this case, your partner didn’t spread the infection to you. Your urethra just came into contact with bacteria that made its way up your urinary tract.”

What to do for a UTI

Male UTIs require treatment with antibiotics from your provider. But it’s not as simple as calling in a prescription and sending you home. If you’re dealing with symptoms like dysuria (burning or pain during urination), frequent or urgent urination, blood in your urine or you have a fever, see a healthcare provider right away.

“When we’re treating UTIs in men, we usually order imaging tests to check the prostate and urinary tract,” says Dr. Altman. “We’re looking for blockages or scarring that could cause an infection. Testing allows us to identify and treat the underlying cause and hopefully prevent future UTIs.”

Dr. Altman also stresses the importance of prevention. “Men should get regular prostate exams starting at age 50 to check for BPH,” he advises. “If you have diabetes, work with your provider to keep it under good control.”

Above all, listen to your body and seek care if something seems off. “Males tend to avoid the doctor, and this isn’t a good thing,” notes Dr. Altman. “If you have symptoms of a UTI, your body is telling you something. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner we can help you feel better.”