When it comes to urinary tract infections (UTIs), women tend to get the lion’s share of attention — arguably, for good reason: Women are about 30 times more likely than men to have a UTI, and most women will have at least one UTI over the course of a lifetime. What’s more, about 40% of women who develop an infection will have at least one recurrent infection within six months.
But just because UTIs are more common among women, that doesn’t mean they don’t happen among men. Nor does it mean the complications of UTIs aren’t as serious, particularly when infections become chronic or recurrent.
Alfred Shtainer, MD, FACS, is committed to helping men at Adult and Pediatric Urology identify and manage the underlying cause of recurrent UTIs, so they can enjoy better health and an improved quality of life.
UTIs happen when germs (usually bacteria) enter the urinary tract through the urethra, the opening where urine is excreted. Among women, chronic UTIs are often related to female anatomy. The female urethra is shorter, making it easier for germs to migrate into the bladder and other areas of the urinary tract, and the urethra is also much closer to the anus, a primary source for germs that cause UTIs.
Thanks to differences in the male anatomy, UTIs aren’t nearly as common, but they can and do still happen. Usually, though, the causes of UTIs in men are much different. Instead of germs invading the urethra from the outside, in men, infections typically happen when urine flow is impeded, giving germs in the urine more time to collect and grow inside the urinary tract.
Prostate enlargement, for instance, can block urine flow, allowing bacteria to linger. Kidney stones, structural abnormalities, or a weakened immune system can also bring on infection.
When a man experiences recurrent UTIs, it usually means there’s an underlying problem that hasn’t been addressed. Chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), not emptying your bladder completely during urination, or even undiagnosed diabetes, can all contribute. Long-term use of certain medications and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can play a role, too.
On its own, a UTI might not seem like a big deal, in part because they can be pretty common. But the fact is, delaying treatment allows germ populations to grow, which means even a seemingly minor or mild UTI can quickly turn into something much more serious.
As germs multiply, they move up the urinary tract, eventually reaching your kidneys, where these germs significantly increase the risk of dangerous kidney infections. If those germs enter your bloodstream, they can cause sepsis, a widespread, life-threatening infection that requires hospitalization.
Over time, repeated or untreated UTIs can also cause scarring in your kidneys. Tough scar tissue interferes with the way your kidneys work, eventually leading to more advanced stages of kidney disease, including kidney failure.
Targeted treatment for stubborn UTIs
Because germs can hide deep within prostate tissue or other areas of your urogenital system, traditional antibiotic therapy may not destroy all the infection-causing germs. As a result, germs left behind can multiply once more, causing the infection to recur.
If you have recurrent UTIs, having a complete workup with our team is essential. Through urine cultures, blood testing, diagnostic imaging, and other evaluations, our team can identify the underlying cause of your UTIs, focusing treatment on preventing recurrence and complications instead of simply relieving your current symptoms.
Depending on your needs, therapy may include medications to target and destroy specific types of germs, manage prostate issues, or improve urine flow. Blockages may benefit from minimally invasive procedures. And of course, lifestyle changes, like staying hydrated, urinating immediately after sex, and managing other underlying conditions, like diabetes, play critical roles, too.
Though UTIs can start as a mild burning or urgency to urinate, they can rapidly progress to a more serious — even life-threatening — medical issue. Early intervention helps prevent complications and even break the cycle that causes UTIs to recur.
To find relief for your UTIs, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Shtainer and the team at Adult and Pediatric Urology in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York, today.
