Whether you’re a man or a woman, you could develop a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women are more than 30 times more likely to develop a UTI than men are, and about four out of every 10 who get one will be stricken with at least one more within the next six months.
Women are more susceptible to UTIs because their bladders and urethras — where the UTI usually develops — are closer to their anus and also very close to their vagina. The E. coli bacteria in the stool are often a cause of a UTI. Women may also get UTIs during sexual intercourse, which may transmit bacteria to the urethral area.
Men’s anatomy is somewhat protective against UTIs, because the opening of the urethra at the end of the penis is far from the anus. However, you can still develop a UTI due to other reasons. In fact, UTIs in men are usually more complicated than in women.
Our knowledgeable and skilled urologist, Alex Lesani, MD, diagnoses and treats UTIs at our Las Vegas, Nevada, office. The symptoms of a UTI are similar to those of both prostate cancer and kidney cancer, which is why you should contact a urologist, even if you think it’s “just” a UTI.
How does a UTI occur in men? The following is a brief explanation.
Despite the advantages of a longer urethra, which protects you from UTIs, and of semen, which can kill bacteria, an enlarged prostate gland raises your risk for UTIs. If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate), the gland can press against your urethra.
Urine backs up in the urethra, behind the enlarged prostate. Stagnant urine that’s not flushed out of the body through urination can collect bacteria, and the bacteria can begin to grow out of control.
Eventually, you may develop enough bacteria to cause a UTI. Symptoms can include pain and burning while urinating, pelvic pain, and even blood in the urine.
Kidney stones are calcified mineral deposits that form due to various factors, including diet and insufficient hydration. Although the stones are hard (and hurt!), they’re actually porous and can collect bacteria while they’re lodged in your urethra.
In fact, the presence of kidney stones increases your chance of a recurrence of a UTI. Even if you cure your UTI with antibiotics, those lingering stones can harbor more bacteria, leading to a new infection.
If you penetrate your partner’s anus without a condom, you risk transferring their E. coli bacteria into your urethra and causing a UTI. Condoms protect you from UTIs and also from a number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you were never circumcised, you’re more at risk for a UTI than a circumcised man. You must regularly clean your foreskin to prevent the buildup of smegma and bacteria.
How does high blood sugar lead to a UTI? If you have diabetes, the extra glucose in your blood can enter your urine. Just as you love sugar, so do bacteria: It helps them thrive and grow. That’s not a situation you want if you’re trying to avoid a UTI.
The more aware you are of your risk for UTIs, the better you can prepare to prevent them. Here are a few steps to help keep your urine flowing and your urethra bacteria-free:
Contact Dr. Lesani if you have any of the signs or symptoms of a UTI. Not only do UTIs share symptoms with kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers, but untreated UTIs also raise your risk for those diseases. Watch out for:
If you have symptoms of a UTI or enlarged prostate, schedule a consultation right away by phoning us at 702-470-2579. You can also book your appointment online.
