UTI in Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment at Urgent Care

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are much less common in men than women — but when they do occur, they often signal an underlying condition that needs attention. If you’re a man experiencing burning urination, urgency, or other UTI symptoms, same-day urgent care can diagnose and treat you quickly.

UTI Symptoms in Men

UTI symptoms in men are similar to women, but context matters:

• Burning or pain with urination (dysuria)
• Frequent urge to urinate, even when the bladder is nearly empty
• Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine
• Blood in the urine (hematuria) — can range from pink tint to visible blood
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pressure
• Feeling of incomplete emptying after urination

Additional symptoms that suggest the infection has reached the kidneys (pyelonephritis) or prostate (prostatitis):

• Fever and chills
• Flank or back pain
• Perineal or pelvic pain (can indicate prostatitis)
• Difficulty starting urination or weak urine stream (prostate involvement)

Why Do Men Get UTIs?

Men have a longer urethra than women, making it harder for bacteria to reach the bladder. UTIs in men are uncommon under age 50 and warrant investigation for an underlying cause:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Enlarged prostate obstructs urine flow, leading to incomplete emptying and bacterial growth
• Kidney stones: Can obstruct urine flow and create conditions for infection
• Urinary catheter use: Catheters are a direct route for bacteria into the urinary tract
• Structural abnormality: Any obstruction or anatomical issue that prevents complete bladder emptying
• Reduced immune function: Diabetes, HIV, or immunosuppressant medications increase UTI risk
• Sexual activity: Anal receptive intercourse increases UTI risk in men
• Uncircumcised men: Slightly higher UTI risk due to colonization under the foreskin

How Is a UTI Diagnosed in Men?

At CityHealth San Leandro, UTI diagnosis in men includes:

1. Urinalysis: Dipstick test checking for white blood cells, nitrites, and blood — results in minutes
2. Urine culture: Identifies the specific bacteria and its antibiotic susceptibility — critical for guiding treatment. Results in 24–72 hours.
3. Physical exam: Checking for prostate tenderness (a hallmark of bacterial prostatitis) and flank tenderness (kidney involvement)
4. STI testing: Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause urethritis with symptoms very similar to a UTI in men — a urine STI test is often recommended

UTI Treatment for Men

Treatment depends on whether the infection is in the bladder, kidneys, or prostate:

• Uncomplicated bladder UTI: 7-day antibiotic course (vs. 3 days for women) — fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) or TMP-SMX are commonly used
• Complicated UTI / pyelonephritis: 10–14 day antibiotic course; some cases require IV antibiotics at the hospital
• Bacterial prostatitis: 4–6 week antibiotic course (antibiotics must penetrate prostate tissue effectively)

Note: Culture results guide antibiotic selection. Starting antibiotics before culture results are available is common practice, with adjustment if needed once sensitivities are known.

When to Go to the ER for a UTI

Go to the emergency room if a UTI in a man is accompanied by:

• High fever (above 102°F) suggesting kidney infection or sepsis
• Complete inability to urinate (urinary retention)
• Severe flank or back pain with fever
• Altered mental status or confusion
• Signs of sepsis: rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, extreme weakness

Frequently Asked Questions: UTI in Men

Can men get UTIs?
Yes. While UTIs are much more common in women, men can get UTIs at any age. Men under 50 with a UTI often have an identifiable underlying cause that should be investigated.

What is the difference between a UTI and a prostate infection in men?
Both cause urinary symptoms but differ in location and treatment duration. Bacterial prostatitis involves infection of the prostate gland and typically causes perineal/pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, and fever. Treatment requires a 4–6 week antibiotic course. A bladder UTI in men is treated with 7 days of antibiotics.

Can a UTI in men go away on its own?
Unlike some mild women’s UTIs that may resolve spontaneously, UTIs in men typically require antibiotic treatment. Due to the greater likelihood of prostate or kidney involvement, untreated UTIs in men can progress to serious infection. Always see a provider.