A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in some part of the urinary tract. While UTIs are more common in women, it can certainly occur in men, as well. It can affect your kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra.
When you have a UTI, you are likely to experience symptoms, such as:
· Burning sensation when you urinate
· Pain when you urinate
· Frequent urge to urinate
· Urinary urgency
· Pain in the lower abdomen
· Blood in urine
If the UTI gets to the kidneys, you are likely to experience symptoms, such as:
· Nausea and vomiting
· Fever
· Chills
· Pain in the sides or the back
A common complication of UTIs is developing a prostate infection at the same time. This can cause symptoms, such as:
· Difficulty urinating
· Fever
· Chills
· Pelvis pain
· Pain in the perineum area
If you experience recurrent UTIs, it is critical to get treated by a medical professional. For men, this would mean seeing a urologist.
What is a Urologist?
A urologist is a doctor who specializes in the urinary system. This includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urologists also specialize in men’s reproductive system, which includes the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate. Men’s urinary and reproductive systems overlap in a lot of ways, so one issue can impact both systems simultaneously. As such, when a man has any type of reproductive or urinary problem, a urologist is the best physician to diagnose and treat it.
Why Do Men Get Recurrent UTIs?
Urinary tract infections occur due to the bacterium Escherichia coli. This bacterium is naturally present in the body and can get into the urinary tract through the urethra. UTIs in men are much more common in older ages.
The reality is, most men do not get recurrent UTIs. This is often an issue women face, but because of the anatomic advantages men have, UTIs are not a very common issue for most men. However, this doesn’t mean that some men won’t experience this problem. Chronic UTIs are a reality for men who have conditions that increase their risk. These conditions include prostatitis, epididymitis, cystitis, urethritis, and urinary catheters. Men who have anatomic abnormalities also have a higher risk of recurrent UTIs.
Treatment for Recurrent UTIs
Most UTIs are treated easily with antibiotic drugs. However, when you have recurrent UTIs, it means the underlying cause is not being addressed.
The treatment for recurrent UTIs primarily depends on the cause. If there is an anatomic abnormality, for example, the treatment will focus on addressing this issue. If another condition is causing the UTIs, such as prostatitis, getting it under control will result in stopping the UTIs, as well. An experienced urologist will be able to do a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your recurrent UTIs.
Why Choose Our Urologist in Phoenix, AZ
If you are experiencing a urinary or reproductive system issue, Dr. Desiderio Avila of Ironwood Urology can help. We routinely treat men with issues such as UTIs, prostatitis, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, and much more. With a wealth of experience in the field, rest assured that Dr. Avila can take care of you.
Call us at (480) 961-2323 to make an appointment, or use our online appointment request form to request a visit.
