Can Men Get a UTI? Symptoms, 6 Causes and Treatment
Urinary tract infections are often thought of as a women’s problem, so many men are caught off guard when they get the familiar burning and urgency. Men do get UTIs, and because they’re less common, they’re more likely to point to an underlying issue that needs attention. Here’s what to know about symptoms, causes and treatment.
Quick answer: Can men get a UTI? Yes. UTIs are less common in men because the male urethra is longer, so bacteria have farther to travel, as Mayo Clinic explains. Men’s risk rises with an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, a urinary catheter, diabetes or a weakened immune system. A UTI in a man should always be checked by a doctor and is treated with antibiotics.
Can Men Get a UTI? Why It’s Less Common
A UTI happens when bacteria, usually from the bowel, get into the urinary tract and multiply. Mayo Clinic notes that women have a shorter urethra, so bacteria reach the bladder more easily. Men’s longer urethra offers more protection, which is why UTIs in men are less common and more often linked to another problem.
UTI Symptoms in Men
According to the NIDDK and Mayo Clinic, common symptoms include:
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Frequent or intense urges to urinate, even when little comes out
- Cloudy, bloody or strong-smelling urine
- Discomfort in the lower belly or pelvis
Signs of a kidney infection, which need prompt care, include fever and chills, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back, side or groin.
What Causes UTIs in Men?
| Risk factor | Why it raises risk |
|---|---|
| Enlarged prostate | Can block urine flow and trap bacteria |
| Kidney stones | Blockages that keep urine from draining |
| Urinary catheter | Gives bacteria a direct path into the bladder |
| Recent urinary procedures | Can introduce bacteria |
| Diabetes or a weakened immune system | Makes it harder to fight infection |
| Older age | Prostate enlargement and emptying problems become more common |
Risk factors are from Mayo Clinic. Keeping diabetes well controlled, with your A1C in your target range, lowers infection risk.
UTI or Prostatitis?
In men, a urinary infection can involve the prostate. The NIDDK says prostatitis is the most common urinary tract problem in men younger than 50. Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly with fever, chills, urgency and painful urination, and it needs medical care right away. It’s treated with antibiotics for at least two weeks, and sometimes longer. Chronic bacterial prostatitis develops slowly and may need several weeks to months of treatment.
How Are UTIs in Men Treated?
- Antibiotics: the main treatment. Men often need a longer course than women, depending on whether the prostate is involved.
- Urine test: a urine culture helps choose the right antibiotic.
- Finding the cause: your doctor may check your prostate, look for kidney stones or test how well your bladder empties.
- Finish every dose, even if you feel better.
Untreated UTIs can spread to the kidneys or bloodstream. Mayo Clinic notes complications in men can include scarring of the urethra.
How Men Can Prevent UTIs
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Don’t hold urine for long periods.
- Keep the genital area clean.
- Get prostate symptoms, like a weak stream or trouble emptying, checked early.
- Keep up with regular checkups, especially after age 50.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for any UTI symptoms. Get care right away if you have fever, chills, back or side pain, blood in your urine, or you can’t urinate at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are UTIs in men?
They’re much less common in men than in women because the male urethra is longer. Risk goes up with age, an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, catheters and diabetes.
Can a man get a UTI from a woman?
UTIs aren’t considered sexually transmitted, but sexual activity can move bacteria toward the urethra. Some sexually transmitted infections cause similar symptoms, so testing matters.
What does a UTI feel like for a man?
Usually burning when urinating, a frequent or urgent need to go, cloudy or bloody urine and lower belly or pelvic discomfort.
Will a UTI in a man go away on its own?
It’s not safe to wait. UTIs in men are more likely to involve the prostate or kidneys and should be treated with antibiotics after a doctor’s evaluation.
How long do men take antibiotics for a UTI?
It depends on the type of infection. The NIDDK says acute bacterial prostatitis is treated for at least two weeks, and your doctor will choose the right length for you.
The Bottom Line
Can men get a UTI? Yes, although it’s less common than in women. Men’s UTIs are often linked to an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, catheters or diabetes, and they can involve the prostate. See a doctor for any symptoms, finish your antibiotics and get care right away for fever or back pain.
Sources
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): Symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic
- Symptoms and Causes of Bladder Infection in Adults, NIDDK
- Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate, NIDDK
Sources accessed October 7, 2026. This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your doctor.
