UTIs in Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Do men get urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Yes, of course they do! UTIs are less common in men than in women — but they can happen. The rate of UTIs in men increases after the age of 60. If you’ve had a UTI or you know someone who has, you know how uncomfortable they can be. And, if you’re older, a UTI can cause havoc with your physical and mental health. It’s important for all people to know about UTIs, so they can recognize the symptoms and get the right treatment. 

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria find their way into the urinary tract system. When this happens, it causes infection and inflammation. This causes symptoms like pain with peeing and a need to pee more often.

You’re less likely to develop a UTI if you have a penis because a penis has a long urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder. This means bacteria have farther to travel to reach the bladder and cause infection.

Most UTIs occur in the bladder. This is called cystitis, and it can be treated with a course of antibiotics. An untreated UTI can lead to complications, like kidney and prostate gland infections or even sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

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UTI symptoms in men

UTI symptoms can vary from person to person. You may feel some or all of these symptoms.

Common UTI symptoms in men include: 

• Pain or burning with urination (dysuria)

• A feeling like you need to urinate more often

• A feeling like you need to urinate suddenly, even though you’ve just emptied your bladder

• Cloudy or bloody urine

• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen

Sometimes, a UTI can turn into a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Pyelonephritis is a serious infection that sometimes requires a hospital stay. If you have a UTI (or think you have one) and develop any of these symptoms, see a healthcare professional right away:  

• Fever

• Chills

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Pain along the side of your back

If you develop an infection in your urethra (urethritis) or prostate (prostatitis) along with a UTI, you may notice: 

• Dribbling after you finish peeing

• A feeling that urine won’t come out when you’re trying to pee

• Painful ejaculation

• Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Common UTI triggers: Find out the most common causes of UTI in men and women.

• Sex and UTIs: Learn more about the link between sex and UTI, and how to prevent an infection.

• Quick UTI relief: These tips can help you get rid of a UTI and start feeling better faster.

People who are sexually active are more likely to develop urethritis and prostatitis. Like a UTI, taking antibiotics is the only way to treat these infections. 

How do men get UTIs?

UTIs happen when bacteria get into the urinary system. Normally, the one-way flow of urine out of the body helps prevent this from happening. And fluid from the prostate has antibacterial properties that help prevent UTIs.

Sometimes, though, bacteria do find a way in. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of UTIs in men.

Obstruction

If you have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), your prostate will be bigger than usual. That makes it more difficult for the urine to get out. This creates a good environment for bacteria to grow, and it can increase the risk of developing UTI. 

Other things that block urine from getting out, like kidney stones, can also increase the risk of developing a UTI. 

Weakened immune system

Anything that affects your immune system can make you more susceptible to infection.  This can include diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If you take medications that weaken the immune system, like chemotherapy, you’re also at higher risk of developing an infection.

Procedures

There’s a risk of infection anytime someone undergoes a procedure on their urinary system. Examples of these procedures include catheterization or an imaging study such as cystoscopy. With both, a flexible tube is inserted into the bladder. These procedures are done as carefully as possible. Still, there’s always a small chance the tube can carry bacteria into the urinary system, causing a UTI.

Other causes

If you’re not circumcised or engage in insertive anal intercourse, you have a higher risk of getting a UTI. 

If you have inflammatory bowel disease you may develop a UTI if you have a fistula. Fistulas can introduce bacteria from the bowel into the bladder, leading to infection.

Can you get a UTI through sex?

Yes, you can get a UTI from sex. But, the relationship between UTI and sex is complicated. Research suggests it’s possible for people to share UTI-causing bacteria with each other during sex, especially during anal sex. Escherichia coli or E. coli is the bacteria that causes most UTIs, and it lives in the colon. So during anal sex, it’s possible to pass E. coli to another person.

Is a UTI a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

A UTI isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are conditions that pass from person to person mainly from sexual intercourse. Although UTIs and sex may be related, most people don’t develop UTIs from sexual activity. 

But urethritis (infection of the urethra) is often caused by bacteria like gonorrhea or chlamydia, which are STIs. You can have a UTI and urethritis at the same time. If you’re sexually active, a healthcare professional may recommend testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia along with checking for a UTI. This lets you get treatment for both conditions at the same time.

Can men get UTIs from women, and vice versa?

Men can get UTIs from women during insertive anal intercourse. That’s because you may come in contact with your partner’s E. coli during anal sex. There’s no way to get rid of E. coli from a person’s colon. E. coli is a natural bacteria that plays many important roles in how the body works. 

Women may notice that they develop UTIs after sexual activity, but it’s not passed directly from a man. The bacteria that cause UTIs may reach the urinary tract simply because the vaginal opening is near the anus — allowing for easy entry with sexual activity.

UTI diagnosis

If you think you have a UTI, talk with a healthcare professional. They’ll ask about your symptoms, if you’ve had a UTI before, and if you have any other medical problems. It’s important to let them know if you have a history of any conditions that can increase your risk of getting a UTI, like:

• Kidney stones

• Diabetes or high blood sugar

• A weakened immune system

• A recent procedure on your bladder or prostate

Beyond asking about your symptoms, a healthcare professional will perform a physical exam that includes:

• Checking your vital signs to make sure you don’t have a fever or low blood pressure

• Touching your back to check for tenderness

• Pressing on your abdomen to check for pain

• Checking your penis for ulcers or discharge

• A rectal exam to check if you have prostate pain or swelling

You’ll need to give a urine sample, so the healthcare professional can do a urine dipstick test in the office. This can show signs of a UTI, and the results are available right away. If your sample shows signs of a UTI, you’ll get a prescription for antibiotics.

Your urine sample might get sent to the lab for a urine culture. This test takes a few days to come back. It will show which bacteria is causing your UTI and make sure you’re taking the right antibiotic to treat your UTI.

If you’ve had multiple UTIs, you may need to complete more testing to figure out why you keep getting infections. This can mean having imaging tests or a cystoscopy, a test to look into the bladder with a camera.

Treatment for UTIs in men

Antibiotics will cure your UTI. Common antibiotics that treat UTIs include:

• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

• Fosfomycin (Monurol)

For most people, these are the best antibiotics for a UTI. People often take these antibiotics by mouth for 1 to 2 weeks. But newer research suggests that 7 days of antibiotics is long enough for most people. 

Your symptoms will be much better after 2 or 3 days of antibiotic treatment. Be sure to finish all of the antibiotics, even if you feel better. This is to make sure the UTI doesn’t come back. 

Home remedies for UTIs in men

Bacteria are the main cause for UTIs in both men and women. So, most UTIs ultimately require a visit to a healthcare professional and a prescription for antibiotics. But you can try a combination of some of these home remedies in the meantime until you can get medical care:

• Drink plenty of water to help flush out bacteria.

• Drink unsweetened cranberry juice to help acidify the urine.

• Don’t hold your urine. Go when you feel the urge.

• Take vitamin C to help acidify your urine.

• Take a probiotic to promote healthy gut flora, so that you have fewer harmful bacteria. 

Remember, home remedies aren’t usually a cure. If symptoms don’t go away within a day or two, or if they get worse, you need to see a healthcare professional for treatment.

Preventing UTIs in men

You can’t always keep a UTI from developing. But some important steps to help prevent a UTI are:

• Stay hydrated.

• Urinate after sex.

• Keep your genital area clean and dry.

• If you use a catheter, make sure your hands are clean and always use a fresh catheter.

Can over-the-counter treatments help men with UTIs?

There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can lessen your UTI symptoms. These medications can help you feel better while you’re waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. Some options include phenazopyridine (Azo, Pyridium), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin). Remember, these medications might make you feel better, but they can’t cure your UTI. 

How long does it take for a UTI to go away?

Most people start feeling better as early as 24 hours after starting their antibiotic. But it can take up to 3 days for all the symptoms to disappear. But make sure to finish your antibiotics so your UTI doesn’t come back. 

While you wait for your UTI to go away, drink plenty of fluids and consider trying OTC medications. Staying hydrated can help you get rid of your UTI faster.

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Frank Schwalbe, MD

Frank Schwalbe, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Yale School of Medicine. He has practiced anesthesiology for 30 years.

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