A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract, which can include the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. In men the most common symptoms include frequent urge to urinate and painful or burning sensation while urinating. UTIs are common in older men because of the increased likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia. For younger men, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common cause of UTIs. Other common risk factors include frequent sexual intercourse, which increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the urethra and bladder, narrowing of the urethra, prolapse of the bladder, neurological conditions, genetics, specifically the inherited genes that control the body’s immune response to infections.
Stay hydrated:
Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day will help encourage urination, which works to flush out bacteria from your urinary tract. It is when bacteria in the bladder is not flushed out correctly that infection can form. If you have been exercising, be sure to drink even more water. “It’s estimated 50 percent of UTIs can be treated by drinking a significant amount of fluid alone,” says Felecia Fick, a Mayo Clinic urogynecology physician assistant .
Practice safe sex:
Specifically condom use can help prevent bacterial infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. Bacteria from other places surrounding the the genital area can get into the urethra during sexual intercourse. Hence why condom use can be beneficial. Although UTIs are not sexually transmitted it is important to note that sex increases the risk your UTIs by introducing bacteria into the urethra.
Don’t hold in your urine:
Always urinate when you feel the urge. Urinating helps eliminate bacteria in the urethra. Holding it in can lead to a collection of bacteria in the bladder or urinary tract and gives it the chance to multiple. Additionally, holding in you urine can overstretch the bladder and cause functional problems which can lead to infection.
Good Hygiene:
Use good hygiene! Often time men feel like wiping after pee is unnecessary but that is false. Not wiping allows for bacteria to fester. Regularly bathing your genitals with soap and water to minimize growth and colonization of bacteria is key to preventing the contraction of a UTI. Practicing good hygiene before and after sex assists in the reduction of bacteria in the bladder.
Pee before and after sex:
The idea is to flush out bacteria that may cause UTIs. Urinating after sex not only flushes out bacteria that may have been introduced during intercourse, but also the bacteria that may have migrated up toward the bladder. Additionally, washing your genital area before sex can help keep the area clean and reduce the chance of bacteria spreading to your urethra.
Cleaning of foreskin if not circumcised
Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the male penis. There are a multitude benefits, the most important being the penis is now easier to clean. Circumcision lowers the risk of contracting various different infections and diseases. The odds of a man contracting a UTI when circumcised is reduced by 90%. To have a circumcision performed as an adult or even an adolescent is very painful so uncircumcised males need to make sure they are cleaning the foreskin thoroughly to prevent catching a UTI.
Treating Prostate Problems
As a man gets older hormonal changes occur and prostate expansion can be a consequence. When the prostate and tissue surrounding expands it is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The lack of regulation of the hormones in your body increases the risk of your prostate gland to enlarge and grow. ⅓ of people with BPH can get a urinary tract infection. Getting regularly checked out with the doctor can help catch prostate problems early.
If you have a catheter, clean it thoroughly:
If you have difficulty urinating and use a catheter to assist, performing all the proper cleaning steps is important. A catheter is easily dirted and when dirted it’s more susceptible to infection. One of the most primary infections being UTIs. One of the leading risk factors in male UTI contraction is actually catheter use.
Take Care of your Diabetes:
Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk for being diagnosed with a UTI by 50%! Because they are insufficient on the natural antibiotic that protects the body against urinary infections, diabetics are often prone to UTIs. In addition urinary tract infections in diabetics tend to be more serious, if left unmedicated the harm done to the kidneys can be irreparable.
Avoid lubricants:
Lubricants can act as a way to transport and harbor bacteria. Avoiding lubricants can help prevent bacteria from entering the urethra. Certain products of scented lubricant increase the risk of UTIs by disrupting the bacterial makeup inside your body. To prevent the possibility of contracting a UTI it is best to just avoid lubricants as often as possible.
