Are UTIs common in men?

UTIs are significantly less common in men than in women due to the longer male urethra. However, they do occur, particularly in men over 50 with an enlarged prostate, in those with urinary catheters, or in men with diabetes or structural urinary tract abnormalities. When a UTI does occur in a man, it is treated as a complicated infection requiring thorough evaluation.

What causes recurrent UTIs in men?

Recurrent UTIs in men are usually linked to an underlying structural or functional problem rather than simple re-infection. Common causes include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary stones, urethral stricture, incomplete bladder emptying, or chronic bacterial prostatitis. A urologist will investigate these causes with imaging and cystoscopy to guide targeted treatment and prevent further episodes.

How is a male UTI different from a female UTI?

Male UTIs are classified as complicated infections because the longer male urethra makes ascending infection less likely, meaning an underlying cause is more often present. They typically require a longer antibiotic course, more extensive investigation, and specialist urology review. Female UTIs are more frequently uncomplicated and may resolve with a short antibiotic course without further workup.

Can an untreated UTI in men affect the kidneys?

Yes. If a bladder infection is not treated promptly, bacteria can ascend to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis — a serious kidney infection associated with fever, flank pain, and risk of permanent kidney damage. In severe cases, infection can enter the bloodstream, leading to urosepsis. Men with UTI symptoms should seek medical attention early rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.

When does a UTI require specialist urology care rather than a GP visit?

A GP can manage straightforward UTIs, but urology referral is appropriate when symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours of antibiotics, when UTIs recur more than twice a year, when there is blood in the urine, when fever or back pain is present, or when an underlying structural problem such as prostate enlargement or a kidney stone is suspected. Use the booking form on this page to arrange a urology consultation.

What tests does a urologist do for a UTI in men?

A urologist will typically request a urine culture and sensitivity test to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic choice. Additional investigations may include an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder, blood tests to assess kidney function and systemic infection, a prostate assessment if prostatitis is suspected, and cystoscopy in recurrent or complex cases to examine the bladder and urethra directly.

Male UTI: Causes, Symptoms & Urology Care in Pune

Urinary Tract Infections in Men: Causes, Symptoms, and Urology Care

Can men get urinary tract infections, and how are they treated?

Yes, men can get urinary tract infections (UTIs), though they are less common in men than in women. When a UTI does occur in a man, it is more likely to involve the bladder, prostate, or kidneys, and often requires a thorough clinical evaluation. Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune offers specialist urology care for men with UTIs, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of recurrent infections.

Note: A UTI in a man is considered a complicated urinary tract infection by clinical convention, meaning it warrants careful investigation to identify any underlying cause.

What causes urinary tract infections in men?

Male UTIs are typically caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Because the male urethra is longer than the female urethra, bacteria have a greater distance to travel, which is why UTIs are less frequent in men. However, several factors can increase susceptibility:

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia): Obstructs urine flow, allowing bacteria to multiply in retained urine.
Kidney stones or bladder stones: Create surfaces where bacteria can adhere and persist.
Urinary catheter use: Introduces bacteria directly into the bladder.
Diabetes: Impairs immune response and promotes bacterial growth in urine.
Structural abnormalities: Narrowing of the urethra (stricture) or anatomical defects that impair drainage.
Recent urological procedures: Instrumentation of the urinary tract can introduce organisms.
Weakened immune system: Due to illness or medication.

The most common causative organism is Escherichia coli, though other bacteria such as Klebsiella and Enterococcus are also implicated.

What are the symptoms of a UTI in men?

Symptoms of a male UTI can overlap with other urological conditions, which is why clinical assessment is important. Common signs include:

Burning or pain during urination (dysuria)
Frequent urge to urinate, often with little output
Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine
Blood in the urine (haematuria)
Pelvic or lower abdominal discomfort
Difficulty starting urination or a weak urine stream

If the infection has spread to the kidneys or prostate, additional symptoms may appear:

Fever and chills
Flank or back pain (suggesting kidney involvement)
Perineal or rectal pain (suggesting prostatitis)
Nausea or vomiting

Warning: Fever, rigors, or back pain alongside urinary symptoms may indicate a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or urosepsis — seek medical attention promptly, as these conditions can become serious without treatment.

What tests does a urologist perform to diagnose a male UTI?

Because a UTI in a man is considered a complicated infection, a urologist will typically go beyond a basic urine test to identify any structural or functional cause. Standard investigations include:

Test	Purpose
Urine dipstick	Rapid screening for nitrites, leucocytes, and blood
Urine culture and sensitivity	Identifies the causative organism and guides antibiotic selection
Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder	Detects stones, obstruction, residual urine, or prostate enlargement
PSA and prostate examination	Assesses prostate involvement if prostatitis is suspected
Cystoscopy	Direct visualisation of the bladder and urethra in recurrent or complex cases
Blood tests (FBC, CRP, renal function)	Evaluates systemic infection and kidney function

How is a urinary tract infection treated in men?

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection, the organism identified on culture, and any underlying cause. A urologist will tailor the approach accordingly:

Antibiotic therapy: The cornerstone of UTI treatment. The choice of antibiotic, dose, and duration are guided by urine culture results. Male UTIs typically require a longer course than female UTIs — often 7 to 14 days, or longer if the prostate is involved.
Treating the underlying cause: If an enlarged prostate, stone, or stricture is contributing to the infection, addressing that condition is essential to prevent recurrence.
Hospitalisation for severe infections: Kidney infections or suspected urosepsis may require intravenous antibiotics and monitoring in hospital.
Surgical or procedural intervention: Stone removal, relief of urinary obstruction, or prostate procedures may be indicated in selected cases.

Patients are advised to maintain adequate fluid intake, complete the full antibiotic course, and attend follow-up urine culture to confirm clearance of the infection.

When should a man with UTI symptoms see a urologist?

Any man with urinary symptoms should seek medical evaluation promptly. Specialist urology review is particularly important in the following situations:

Symptoms persist for more than 48 hours despite initial antibiotic treatment
Two or more UTIs occur within a 12-month period (recurrent UTI)
There is visible blood in the urine
Fever, chills, or back pain accompany urinary symptoms
There is difficulty passing urine or a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
The patient has diabetes, a known kidney condition, or a history of urological surgery
A urinary catheter is in place

Important: An untreated UTI in men can ascend to the kidneys or spread to the bloodstream. Early specialist review reduces the risk of serious complications such as pyelonephritis, renal abscess, or sepsis.

How does Deccan Hardikar Hospital support men with urinary tract infections in Pune?

Deccan Hardikar Hospital in Pune — located at 1160/61, University Road, Shivajinagar — provides comprehensive urology services for men presenting with UTIs and related urological conditions. The hospital's urology department offers in-house urine culture and sensitivity testing through its histopathology laboratory, ultrasound imaging, and cystoscopy, enabling a complete diagnostic workup under one roof.

For men with recurrent UTIs linked to structural causes, the urology team works alongside specialists in nephrology and general surgery to address underlying conditions such as kidney stones or bladder outlet obstruction. The hospital holds NABH Pre-Accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, and is recognised by the Quality Council of India — providing a framework of clinical standards for patient safety and care quality.

Deccan Hardikar Hospital is a superspeciality referral centre serving Western Maharashtra, with five decades of surgical and clinical experience across multiple disciplines.

Book a urology consultation at Deccan Hardikar Hospital

Use the booking form on this page to schedule an appointment with our urology team in Pune.

UTIs are significantly less common in men than in women due to the longer male urethra. However, they do occur, particularly in men over 50 with an enlarged prostate, in those with urinary catheters, or in men with diabetes or structural urinary tract abnormalities. When a UTI does occur in a man, it is treated as a complicated infection requiring thorough evaluation.
Recurrent UTIs in men are usually linked to an underlying structural or functional problem rather than simple re-infection. Common causes include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary stones, urethral stricture, incomplete bladder emptying, or chronic bacterial prostatitis. A urologist will investigate these causes with imaging and cystoscopy to guide targeted treatment and prevent further episodes.
Male UTIs are classified as complicated infections because the longer male urethra makes ascending infection less likely, meaning an underlying cause is more often present. They typically require a longer antibiotic course, more extensive investigation, and specialist urology review. Female UTIs are more frequently uncomplicated and may resolve with a short antibiotic course without further workup.
Yes. If a bladder infection is not treated promptly, bacteria can ascend to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis — a serious kidney infection associated with fever, flank pain, and risk of permanent kidney damage. In severe cases, infection can enter the bloodstream, leading to urosepsis. Men with UTI symptoms should seek medical attention early rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
A GP can manage straightforward UTIs, but urology referral is appropriate when symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours of antibiotics, when UTIs recur more than twice a year, when there is blood in the urine, when fever or back pain is present, or when an underlying structural problem such as prostate enlargement or a kidney stone is suspected. Use the booking form on this page to arrange a urology consultation.
A urologist will typically request a urine culture and sensitivity test to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic choice. Additional investigations may include an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder, blood tests to assess kidney function and systemic infection, a prostate assessment if prostatitis is suspected, and cystoscopy in recurrent or complex cases to examine the bladder and urethra directly.

Urinary Tract Infections in Men: Causes, Symptoms, and Urology Care