UTIs in men are extremely rare, it’s about 30 times less likely for a man to develop an UTI compared to a woman. This is in part because of the position of the urethra and its length which makes it less vulnerable to bacterial infections. Men with circumcised penises have even fewer chances of developing an UTI. 

The risk, however, increases with age. An UTI will affect the same organs as for women with the distinction that the prostate is also vulnerable.

The physiological changes produced by 
pregnancy can make it more likely for a woman to develop urinary tract infections and it’s also more likely for the infection to travel up to the kidneys. 

Since UTIs during pregnancy can pose a threat to the health of both the mother and the fetus, pregnant women get screened even in the absence of symptoms so they can receive treatment before the infection has the chance to spread. 

What Are Urinary Tract Infections?

The term urinary tract infection or UTI is the collective term used to refer to infections in any part of the urinary tract which includes your kidneys, ureters (the tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder and carry the urine), your bladder and your urethra (short tube used to evacuate the urine from inside the bladder). 

The urinary tract is divided into the upper urinary tract which includes kidneys and ureters and the lower urinary tract which refers to the bladder and urethra. Most UTIs affect the lower urinary tract, but if left untreated they can spread.

Depending on which organs are affected, these infections will have different names:

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  Urethritis – refers to the infection of the urethra. You might experience discharge and burning sensation or pain when urinating.

  
  


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  Cystitis – refers to the infection of the bladder but cystitis is not always caused by infection. Certain types of medication or hygiene products can cause inflammation. The treatment will depend on the cause. 
  Interstitial cystitis refers to a chronic condition also commonly known as painful bladder syndrome which causes the patient to experience bladder pressure and pain and a persistent need to urinate (up to 60 times per day, usually in small amounts). 

  
  

The exact causes for interstitial cystitis are unknown but it might be genetic defects in the lining of the bladder, trauma, autoimmune response or a dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles. Symptoms get worse with stress, menstruation, prolonged sitting, sexual activity, exercising, eating spicy food, drinking alcohol, coffee, tea or carbonated beverages.  

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  Pyelonephritis – refers to infection of the kidneys. The person will experience symptoms like fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, as fell as pain in the middle and lower back and flank pain (in the sides of the torso, below the ribcage). These symptoms will develop and worsen over the course of a few hours, very rarely over several days. If there is any chance that the infection has reached the kidneys it’s a medical emergency and you need to see a doctor immediately.  

  
  

Kidney infections can have life threatening complications such as septicemia – when the bacteria enter the bloodstream. In pregnant women it increases the risk of premature birth or low birth weight. 

The Most Common Symptoms of UTIs 

Urinary tract infections don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages but you’ll want to see a doctor if you’re experiencing any of the following:

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  You feel discomfort, pain or a burning sensation when you urinate

  
  


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  Frequent and urgent need to urinate although when you do, very little comes out and you have to wait for it

  
  


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  The urine has a strange smell and may be cloudy, dark or bloody

  
  


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  You feel unusually tired and shaky

  
  


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  You have a fever and chills – the infection may have reached your kidneys

  
  


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  Pain in the lower abdomen, flank pain and lower back pain

  
  

Diagnosis and Treatment of UTIs

If based on the symptoms mentioned earlier you suspect you have an UTI, you’ll need to go see your doctor or go to a 
healthcare centre. To confirm the diagnosis, you will have to provide a urine sample which needs to be a “clean catch” which means you have to collect the sample from the middle of the urinary stream and not from the very beginning. This is in order to avoid tainting the sample with any bacteria or yeast from your skin. You’ll get 
more detailed instructions there. 

Your sample will be tested for white blood cells which indicate the presence of an infection. If that’s the case a urine culture test will be performed to identify the bacteria or fungi that caused the infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment. 

In case of recurrent and frequent urinary tract infections you will be asked to do further tests to check for underlying cause that are making you more vulnerable. These tests include ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a 
cystoscopy – a cystoscope which is a long, thin tube with a lens will be passed through your urethra to see the inside of your bladder. 

UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics but it depends on your test results. If you have a fungal urinary tract Infection from Candida, for instance, you may be prescribed an antifungal agent like Fluconazole.

The most common antibiotics prescribed are Trimethoprim, Fosfomycin, Nitrofurantoin, Cephalexin and Ceftriaxone. You’ll need to take them for a week or more but the symptoms will clear up after only 3 or 4 days. You’ll probably also be given an analgesic (painkiller) to reduce the pain and discomfort you feel when you urinate. 

In case of a viral urinary infection further tests will need to be performed but they’re very uncommon in the general population. They usually occur in people who have had an organ transplant or have some other condition that compromises their immune system. 

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