Bladder Infections

Bladder Infections in Men

In men, an infection of the prostate can cause it to swell. This causes it to press on the urethra to block the flow of urine. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause swelling of the urethra or weakness of the bladder, both of which can cause urinary retention.

Although bladder infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. Men who suffer from bladder infection (cystitis) may experience the following symptoms:

· Frequent urination

· Strong urgency to pee

· Burning or tingling sensation during or just after urination (dysuria)

· Low-grade fever

· Cloudy urine with a strong odor

· Blood in urine (hematuria)

· A problem with your prostate can make it difficult to urinate

Increased risk of bladder infection in men may be linked to:

· An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)

· Kidney stones

Bladder stones

· Diabetes

· Abnormal narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)

· Recent use of a urinary catheter, a tube to drain your bladder

· Having a procedure done where an instrument is inserted into the urethra, the opening at the tip of the penis where urine leaves the body

Treatment of a bladder infection depends on the cause, but typically includes antibiotics.

Men can take a series of actions to reduce the risk of getting a UTI, such as:

  • emptying the bladder often

  • drinking plenty of liquids, especially water

  • The area under the foreskin should be carefully cleaned after showering if you are not circumcised

  • carefully cleaning the genitals before and after sex, to remove bacteria

  • cleaning from front to back when toileting

  • wearing condoms during sex.

  • urinating after sex is important to remove any bacteria that might have been passed during the sexual act

  • The sitting posture is the best position for men with urination problems, e.g. due to an enlarged prostate to urinate in, whereas no difference was found in healthy men. Having residual urine can cause complications such as infections and bladder stones, which is clinically important.

Take home massages

1. Comparing the standing with the sitting position, for patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) the sitting voiding position is preferable to the standing. However, there is medically no superior posture for healthy men to urinate in.

2. The positive influence of urinating in the sitting position approaches the effects of standard pharmacological therapy in LUTS patients.