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What Are the Causes of Male Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is caused by bacteria gaining entry to the urinary tract, most often through the urethra, causing it to become infected. Women tend to get UTIs more then men, but there are several ways men can get UTIs, many of which are not risk factors for women.

  1. Sexual Contact

    • A UTI is contracted when bacteria, such as bacteria contained in fecal matter, gain entry to the body. Any sexual contact where a man's genitalia come in contact with a part of a partner's body that contains bacteria has a chance of causing a UTI. Anal sex is very likely to cause UTIs, especially when proper precautions, such as condoms, are not used.

    Hygiene

    • UTIs in men can sometimes be the result of poor hygiene. If a man does not adequately clean his genitalia, bacteria can build up and gain entry to the body. This issue is especially important for uncircumcised men, since the foreskin provides a place for bacteria to collect that is somewhat protected. The genitalia should be properly cleaned every day during a shower or bath.

    Obstruction

    • Another common way UTIs infect men is through obstructions to the urinary tract and urethra. Kidney stones are a common type of obstruction, originating from calcium and other mineral and salt deposits that grow in the kidneys and attempt to pass through the urinary tract. An enlarged prostate may also cause an obstruction that leads to a UTI.

    Incontinence Treatment

    • Men experiencing urinary incontinence (the inability to control one's need to urinate) may contract a UTI due to the use of catheters. A catheter is a tube inserted into the body to drain fluids, such as urine from the bladder. A dirty catheter, which can be a problem if it is reused and not sterilized, would likely cause a UTI.

    Risk Factors

    • Any condition that causes a man to have a weaker immune system will make him more likely to get a UTI. Conditions such as diabetes and obesity have been shown to be likely risk factors. Men are much more likely to get UTIs as they age, since immune systems generally decrease in effectiveness over time. They are also more likely to develop enlarged prostates and require the use of catheters as they age.

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