Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men are less common than in women, but they can still occur. UTIs in men are usually considered complicated and more likely to spread to the kidneys and upper urinary tract. The most common causes of UTIs in men are:

• Bacteria: UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra and start multiplying. The most common bacteria that cause UTIs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other intestinal bacteria.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some cases of UTIs in younger men are typically caused by STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

• Prostate problems: An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) is common in older men and can block the flow of urine, which can increase the odds that bacteria will build up and cause a UTI.

• Kidney stones: Sometimes a stone in the urinary tract blocks the flow of urine and causes an infection.

• Catheter use: Infection might also be caused by the use of a catheter used to drain the bladder.

Other risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a UTI in men include:

• Diabetes

• An abnormal narrowing of the urethra

• An inability to voluntarily control urination

• Inguinal adenopathy

• Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Symptoms of UTIs in men include:

• Frequent bathroom trips

• Feeling like you have to pee all the time

• Pain, burning, or discomfort while peeing or just after

• Pain or tenderness below your stomach

• Wetting the bed

• Cloudy or smelly urine

• Blood in your urine

• Fever

• Nausea

• Pain in the sides or upper back

Some men don’t have any symptoms at all. If you suspect you have a UTI, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, and the length of treatment depends on the location of the infection.