While urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common among women, it抯 possible for men to suffer the scourge of this condition as well, resulting in penis pain and several other symptoms. Fortunately, when caught early, UTIs are easily treatable and tend not to cause any long-term problems. If left untreated, though, serious health problems can occur as the infection works its way up the urinary tract. It抯 important, then, for men to know the symptoms in order to take the appropriate penis care steps to treat such an infection as well as to prevent one. Below, men can learn about the causes, risks, symptoms, treatments and prevention methods for urinary tract infections.

Cause

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria is present in the urinary tract. This system includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. The infection is usually caught and treated when it is present in the lower tract (urethra and bladder). If left untreated, it can progress to the kidneys and lead to serious problems. Usually, the infection occurs when bacteria enters the tract through the urethra. However, it抯 also possible for one to occur if something like a kidney stone or bladder stone is blocking the flow of urine through the rest of the tract.

Risks

Risks factors for UTIs in men include:

- Catheterization

- A history of surgery on the prostate or urinary tract

- Kidney or bladder stones

- Unprotected sex with an infected partner

- Unprotected anal sex

- Intact penis

- Skin irritation around the urethra

Symptoms

Symptoms of a male UTI include:

- Penis pain while urinating

- Burning sensation on the penis while urinating

- Need to urinate frequently

- Feeling a need to urinate soon after the bladder has been emptied

- Abdominal pain

- Lower back pain (a sign that the kidneys are involved)

Men should note that UTIs share some symptoms with other infections. Yeast infections as well as several sexually transmitted infections can cause penis pain and burning while urinating, so diagnosis by a medical professional is recommended.

Treating a UTI

Oral antibiotics are the standard course of treatment for urinary tract infections in both men and women. When taking these medications, it抯 important to take all of them according to the prescribed treatment schedule. Even if a man feels better before he抯 out of antibiotics, it抯 possible for some bacteria to survive if he cuts the medication off too soon. The leftover bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics and increase a man抯 risk of recurrent, harder-to-treat infections.

Some doctors prescribe medication to help a man deal with the pain and burning sensation that accompany a urinary tract infection.

Drinking straight cranberry juice, in conjunction with taking antibiotics, may help rid the infection sooner. Choose a pure cranberry juice product, not one of those sugary juice cocktails.

Prevent UTIs

As with all medical conditions, UTIs are best avoided. Here are some things men can do to reduce the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection:

- Drink eight glasses of water daily.

- Drink either pure pineapple or cranberry juice regularly. These are acidic, and the acid may inhibit bacterial growth in the urinary tract.

- Have protected sex, both vaginal and anal.

- Avoid products that may irritate the skin around the urethral opening, such as harsh detergents or soaps.

- Wash under the foreskin regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria.

- Invest in a penis health cr鑝e (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Such a product can help prevent infections in a couple ways. First, it contains moisturizers that reduce skin irritation by keeping the skin smooth and free of cracks that may harbor bacteria. Second, a quality product containing vitamin A can help fight bacteria on the penis, thereby limiting the chances of it travelling into the urinary tract via the urethra.