Urinary tract infections in men are less common than in women, but they require prompt antibiotic treatment. Unlike in women, where a simple UTI can sometimes resolve on its own, UTIs in men are generally classified as complicated infections because of the male anatomy, particularly the prostate’s proximity to the urinary tract. The lifetime risk for men is about 14%, with most infections occurring after age 50.
Why Men Get UTIs
The most common reason men develop UTIs is incomplete bladder emptying. As the prostate enlarges with age, it presses on the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) and restricts urine flow. Urine that sits in the bladder becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. This is why UTIs in men are relatively rare before age 50 but become increasingly common afterward.
Other causes include kidney stones blocking the urinary tract, catheter use, recent urological procedures, and structural abnormalities in the urinary system. Sexual activity can also introduce bacteria, though this is a more common trigger in women than in men.
What Treatment Looks Like
You will need antibiotics. There is no reliable way to clear a male UTI without them. Your doctor will likely ask for a urine sample, collected midstream after cleaning the area with an antiseptic pad. This sample gets tested for bacteria and white blood cells to confirm the infection, and a urine culture identifies exactly which bacteria are involved so your doctor can choose the most effective antibiotic.
For a straightforward complicated UTI, current guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend 7 days of antibiotics for most men, or 5 to 7 days if a fluoroquinolone is used. If your doctor suspects the infection has reached your prostate (acute bacterial prostatitis), expect a longer course of 10 to 14 days. You should start feeling better within 2 to 3 days. If you don’t, contact your doctor, as the bacteria may be resistant to the antibiotic you were prescribed.
Managing Symptoms While Antibiotics Work
The burning and urgency can be miserable while you wait for the antibiotic to kick in. Phenazopyridine is an over-the-counter pain reliever designed specifically for urinary tract discomfort. It won’t treat the infection itself, but it numbs the lining of your urinary tract to reduce burning and pain. The typical dose is 200 mg three times a day. One important note: it turns your urine bright orange, which is harmless but can stain clothing and contact lenses. Avoid it if you have kidney or liver problems.
Drinking plenty of water helps flush bacteria from your urinary tract and keeps you urinating frequently, which limits bacterial growth. The scientific evidence for hydration as a UTI treatment is limited, with the strongest data coming from studies in women rather than men. Still, staying well hydrated is a reasonable and low-risk strategy while your antibiotics do the heavy lifting.
Signs the Infection Has Spread
A UTI that moves from the bladder up to the kidneys becomes a serious medical situation. Seek immediate care if you develop a fever, chills, severe flank or back pain, bloody urine, or nausea and vomiting. These symptoms suggest a kidney infection or, in severe cases, the beginning of sepsis. If you’ve been on antibiotics for more than 2 to 3 days with no improvement in your symptoms, that also warrants a call to your doctor.
When Recurrent UTIs Point to a Deeper Problem
A single UTI in a man is enough to warrant a closer look. Clinical referral guidelines recommend that any man with even one confirmed UTI per year be evaluated by a urologist, especially if imaging reveals abnormalities like kidney stones, scarring, or tissue lesions. This is a notably lower threshold than for women, who are typically referred after three infections per year, and reflects the fact that male UTIs almost always have an identifiable underlying cause.
One of the most common culprits behind recurring UTIs in men is chronic bacterial prostatitis, a low-grade infection of the prostate gland. Bacteria can shelter within the prostate tissue, where standard short-course antibiotics don’t reach effectively. Treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis requires antibiotics that penetrate prostate tissue, taken for 6 to 12 weeks. Some men with persistent infections benefit from long-term low-dose antibiotic therapy to keep the bacteria suppressed.
If your UTIs keep coming back, your doctor may order imaging such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to look for structural problems. A cystoscopy, where a thin camera is inserted through the urethra to inspect the bladder, is another option for identifying issues that aren’t visible on standard imaging.
A Note on PSA Testing
If you’re due for a prostate screening, be aware that a UTI can artificially raise your PSA levels by inflaming the prostate. Wait at least six weeks after the infection clears before getting a PSA blood test to avoid a falsely elevated result that could lead to unnecessary worry or follow-up procedures.
Reducing Your Risk Going Forward
Preventing future UTIs depends largely on addressing whatever caused the first one. If an enlarged prostate is making it hard to fully empty your bladder, treating that underlying condition is the most effective prevention strategy. Beyond that, practical habits help: stay hydrated throughout the day, urinate when you feel the urge rather than holding it, and pee after sexual activity to flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urethra. Cranberry supplements and D-mannose (a natural sugar that may prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract wall) are sometimes recommended, though the evidence for these is stronger in women. For men with recurring post-sex UTIs, some doctors prescribe a single preventive antibiotic dose to take within 12 hours of sexual activity.