Can a Guy Get a UTI? Yes, and Here’s How

Urinary tract infections, commonly known as UTIs, happen when harmful bacteria start growing in your urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and tubes (ureters) that carry urine. UTIs range in severity, but are easily treated with antibiotics. While anatomical differences make women more susceptible to these infections than men, up to 20% of men will have a UTI during their lifetime. In contrast, 50% to 80% of women will experience a UTI. 

UTIs are much less common in healthy men without underlying medical problems, but certain men are more susceptible to UTIs, such as older adults with prostate issues. Because of preexisting health issues, when UTIs do occur in men, they can be much more serious and lead to complications if left untreated.

For men of any age and health, knowing about UTIs and their symptoms can help you identify a potential infection, get effective treatment, and prevent it from coming back. 

How Men Can Get a UTI

In men and women, UTIs start when harmful bacteria get into the urinary tract. Most often, the bacteria enter the urethra from the surrounding skin. Normally, the body helps flush these bacteria from the urinary system when you urinate, and infections only begin when the bacteria gets past the urethra and into the bladder. 

Men have a much longer urethra than women, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to make its way to the bladder without first being flushed out through urination. While it is possible for a healthy male to get a UTI, it is rare unless there are other conditions or risk factors present.

There are several health conditions and risk factors that contribute to men getting a UTI. These include:

• Prostate issues: The prostate is a gland that sits just below the bladder. As men get older, the size of the prostate naturally gets bigger, which can sometimes block the urethra and make it hard to urinate and empty the bladder. Bacterial growth is more likely if urine sits in your bladder. Prostate conditions such as an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) makes it more difficult to empty the bladder, and so these are some of the most common conditions that can lead to a UTI in men.
• Urinary blockages: Anything that can block the urinary tract can lead to urinary retention and bacterial growth. Kidney or bladder stones can sometimes obstruct the urinary tract and lead to UTIs. Other common conditions that can block the urinary system include urethral strictures, tumors, or other foreign bodies that prevent the bladder from emptying.
• Using a catheter: Some medical problems require inserting a tube, called a urinary catheter, into the urethra to help drain urine from the body. This can create a direct pathway for bacteria to get into the bladder and significantly increases risks for UTIs. 
• Certain medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as diabetes and HIV, can weaken the body’s natural immune system and make it harder for the body to clear bacteria that enters the urinary tract, raising the risk of getting a UTI. Other conditions, such as neurological injuries that affect bladder control or cause incontinence, can also increase risk of infection. 
• Being uncircumcised: The foreskin on the penis can trap bacteria more easily. In fact, uncircumcised men are 3 times as likely to get a UTI in their lifetime compared to circumcised men. Good hygiene practices and keeping the foreskin clean and dry can help prevent bacterial growth and UTIs. 
• Unprotected intercourse: About 75% of UTIs are caused by the bacteria E. coli, which is a common bacteria that lives in the GI tract and rectum. When this bacteria gets introduced into the urinary tract, it can cause a UTI. Engaging in unprotected sex, particularly unprotected anal intercourse, can introduce bacteria from the rectum into the urinary tract, raising the risk for a UTI. Using a barrier such as a condom can reduce the risk of contracting a UTI.

A UTI can spread upwards to different parts of the urinary tract the longer it is left untreated. If the bacteria leaves the bladder, it can further spread and reach the kidneys. Bacterial spread plays a large role in infection severity. The higher up the infection spreads, the more dangerous the infection. For example, an infection that spreads to the kidneys can lead to sepsis because the kidneys are responsible for filtering blood of waste. Recognizing the symptoms of a UTI and seeking treatment as soon as possible can prevent complications. 

UTI Symptoms For Men

It is important to recognize the early signs of a UTI to get prompt testing and treatment. Pain when urinating is the most common first symptom of a UTI in men. This can feel like burning or a general discomfort. You may also feel like you need to urinate more often with a greater urgency to pee. Your urine can also look different, and may look darker, cloudy, have residue or blood, or have a foul-odor. 

While urinary symptoms are the most common symptoms of a UTI in men, it is important to recognize signs of a more severe or worsening infection. These can include more generalized symptoms, such as:

• Changes in the color or smell of your urine (appearing darker, bloody, more cloudy, or foul-smelling)
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in your lower abdomen or sides 

For older men, the symptoms may present differently than in younger adults. In fact, the most common first symptom of a potential UTI in older adults is sudden confusion, rather than the classic urinary discomfort. Older men with UTIs may also experience vague, generalized symptoms like agitation, trouble thinking clearly, weakness, or feeling generally unwell. 

UTI vs. STI: Symptoms That Overlap

While painful urination could signal a UTI, it could also be an STI. UTIs and STIs are caused by different pathogens and have very different treatments. Because UTIs and STIs can cause similar symptoms, especially in males, it can be difficult to tell them apart. For example,  chlamydia and gonorrhea are caused by bacteria transmitted during sex that causes inflammation of the urethra, leading to UTI-like symptoms such as burning or pain when urinating and a frequent urge to urinate.

However, UTIs and STIs are not the same. STIs are spread from one person to another through sexual contact, while UTIs are usually caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract from the surrounding skin or genital area. In addition, they are caused by different pathogens that require different treatments. A few key differences can help you tell them apart:

• Your sexual history: Recent sexual activity, especially unprotected sex or having multiple partners, can point to an STI as the cause. Engaging in unprotected sex, particularly anal sex, can also increase your risk of bacteria introduction to the urethra, so it is important to be honest in your sexual history with your healthcare provider to help identify any risks.
• Discharge: UTIs don’t usually involve discharge from the penis. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause cloudy, clear, or yellowish discharge.
• External symptoms: Chlamydia and gonorrhea may cause redness or rashes around the tip of the penis or genital area. Other STIs, such as genital herpes or syphilis, involve bumps, blisters, or sores.

It is crucial to get testing to determine whether your symptoms are being caused by a UTI or an STI because these are treated with different antibiotics. Treating the wrong condition can lead to unnecessary treatment and complications. If you have signs of either a UTI or STI, see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. 

Are UTIs Contagious? Catching UTI From a Woman: Fact or Fiction?

UTIs are not contagious or something you can catch from another person. However, there are certain activities and conditions that push bacteria into the urethra, including sexual intercourse. Sexual activity, whether with a woman or a man, can introduce bacteria into your urethra. Because of this, sex is a risk factor for getting a UTI, but it doesn’t mean the bacteria are transmitted from one person to another. In short, while unprotected sex increases the risk of contracting a UTI, you cannot catch a UTI from a sexual partner.

However, it is important to know that while UTIs are not contagious, they can have the same symptoms as some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are contagious and are treated differently. 

Why UTIs Are Less Common In Men… But Potentially More Complicated

UTIs are more common in women than men because women have a shorter urethra, so bacteria can more easily reach the bladder. For women, the urethra is also closer to the anus, increasing the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria, especially during activities that can introduce these bacteria to the urethra, such as intercourse or using the bathroom.

With aging, though, the gap narrows. Older men are more likely to have health issues, like prostate conditions, that raise UTI risk. This can also make UTIs more complicated in men. For example, bacteria can infect the prostate and then spread to the kidneys or the bloodstream, which can cause life-threatening organ damage or septic shock.

UTIs in men can also be harder to diagnose because men typically delay seeking care, not knowing they have a UTI. This in turn can delay treatment for a UTI, making a serious infection more likely to develop.

How to Get Rid of a UTI In Men

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for a UTI in men. These medications are designed to kill the harmful bacteria causing the infection so that symptoms improve and the UTI doesn’t spread. The antibiotic prescribed is based on the suspected cause of the infection, severity, as well as the patient’s medical history. 

The gold standard for UTI treatment is to match the antibiotic to the specific bacteria causing the infection. To do this, patients first provide a urine sample, which is then sent to a lab to identify the bacteria in the infection. However, this test can take days for results. Providers will often start first-line antibiotics based on the most common bacteria that typically cause UTIs while waiting for the lab results. Sometimes, providers may need to change the antibiotic type depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection. 

After starting antibiotics, it is common for your symptoms to get better as the antibiotics treat the infection. However, this does not mean the infection is gone. Many people stop taking their prescribed antibiotics before the entire course is complete, but this is a mistake. Always take the fully prescribed course even if your symptoms have improved. Stopping or not finishing antibiotics can lead to the bacteria not being completely eliminated, which can lead to the infection returning or getting worse.

Prescription UTI Treatments For Men

If you have a UTI without severe symptoms or signs of complications, treatment with antibiotics typically lasts 7 to 14 days. The antibiotics most commonly prescribed for uncomplicated male UTIs just confined to the bladder include:

• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ; Bactrim DS): This medication combines trimethoprim with another drug that disrupts the ability of bacteria to generate folate needed to grow. 
• Fluoroquinolones: This is a category of antibiotics that includes levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and works by preventing bacteria from synthesizing DNA.
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid): This drug treats infections by damaging the DNA of bacteria. However, this medication will not reach deeper tissues or the kidneys, so it is not used if a more complicated infection is suspected.

Doctors may also consider stronger antibiotics for more complicated UTIs, which are UTIs that have spread towards the kidney and have more severe symptoms, such as fever, chills, vomiting, and flank pain. Most of these medications are usually administered through an IV or muscular injection, and are usually only available in the hospital or another medical setting:

• Ceftriaxone: This is one of the first-line medications given for a complicated UTI. It is an antibiotic that targets bacteria’s ability to develop a cell wall, and can be given as an injection into the muscle or through an IV. 
• Piperacillin-tazobactam: This treatment combines two antibiotics that work by attacking bacterial cell walls and protecting the medication from being destroyed by the bacteria. This is given only through an IV in a hospital. 
• Cefepime: This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works by disrupting bacteria’s cell walls. It can only be administered through an IV. It is typically used when other first-line medications cannot be used or if resistance is suspected. 
• Tebipenem pivoxil (Utebzi): This drug binds to specific proteins in bacteria so that they cannot maintain their cell wall. This is a newer FDA approved oral medication that can be used for complicated UTIs in patients that cannot take other alternative medications and are stable for outpatient treatment. 

Along with antibiotics, patients may be prescribed medication to help treat the uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI while waiting for the antibiotics to take effect. For example, phenazopyridine tablets may be prescribed to decrease urinary discomfort to take as needed. 

Home UTI Treatments For Men

Prescription antibiotics are required to actually treat a urinary tract infection. However, there are some home treatments that you can use alongside antibiotics that may help relieve UTI symptoms while the antibiotics take effect:

• Staying hydrated and pushing fluids: When you have a UTI, it is important to push oral fluids (water is best) to help you urinate more frequently, even if it causes discomfort. Each time you empty your bladder, you also remove bacteria. Not only is staying hydrated is important for your overall health, but urinating more actually helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract.
• Avoiding bladder irritation: Be mindful and avoid any drinks that tend to irritate your bladder. Common irritating substances to the bladder include alcohol, caffeine, or carbonated beverages such as soda. Limit consuming these, especially when you have an infection. 
• Using a heating pad: Putting a warm pad on or around your lower abdomen can ease pain and may reduce bladder spasms.
• Preventing constipation: Constipation can put pressure on your bladder, so take steps to promote bowel health, such as eating foods that are rich in fiber or using a gentle over-the-counter stool softener. 

Prevent Recurring UTIs

UTIs can be a recurring problem. Recurring infections can be a sign of other health issues, such as kidney stones, prostate enlargement or inflammation, resistant bacteria, or other conditions that affect urine flow. Work with your doctor to address underlying issues that could cause future UTIs.

In the meantime, there are some practical habits that may help reduce the risk of UTIs:

• Keep yourself hydrated
• Do not hold in your urine
• Urinate after sex
• Practice safe sex with protection, especially if engaging in anal sex
• Eat enough fiber to avoid constipation
• Practice good hygiene by cleaning your genital area regularly
• Be proactive about addressing any urinary difficulties with your healthcare provider

Finding Online UTI Treatment For Men

A UTI doesn’t always strike at a convenient time, and getting to a doctor’s office isn’t always easy. Online UTI treatment lets you get care without leaving home.

Digital pharmacy platforms can help you get prescription-strength UTI treatment delivered to your home. For example, TelyRx has 500+ FDA-approved medications across many common conditions, including UTI treatments. But when choosing an online source, look for clear trust signals to keep yourself safe. Make sure the platform you choose is licensed, sources its medications responsibly, and carries certification from third-party groups like LegitScript.

Working with a proven platform like TelyRx can help you get the care you need while avoiding pharmacy scams. TelyRx is LegitScript-certified, sources medications from reputable U.S. wholesalers, and operates licensed pharmacies in Clearwater, Florida and Dallas, Texas. All prescription orders are filled by knowledgeable licensed pharmacists using HIPAA-level privacy protections and shipped to your door in discreet packaging.

Your Next Steps

People too often think UTIs are only an issue for women. But they can be a major health concern for men, too. Having a UTI can cause painful symptoms and lead to serious complications if left untreated. UTIs are treatable with antibiotics, which is why prompt recognition of symptoms and seeking medical treatment is important to prevent worsening infection. If you’re noticing UTI symptoms, don’t wait it out. Once you know which medication you need, connect with TelyRx to start treatment quickly and privately.