While a UTI in men is uncommon in younger men, the risk does increase as a person ages. A man can also be more at risk for a UTI if he has diabetes, an enlarged prostate, or kidney problems. Although the only way to resolve an aggressive UTI wholly is to see a doctor, the best remedy is prevention. If you already have a mild UTI and opt to go the natural route, you can try some UTI home remedies. Often times home remedies work great as long as the infection has not progressed too far.
As we mentioned earlier, prevention is the best remedy. Here are some ways to prevent a UTI in men or to help your body get over a UTI once you have sought treatment from a doctor:
Preventative Steps For a UTI in Men
1) Drink Fluids
Needless to say, your body will be trying to flush out the infection by making you pee. This may result in incontinence. The solution is to continue to drink plenty of fluids until your body does what it needs to do. It may be unpleasant and annoying, but it’s part of the process of getting over a UTI.
2) Let the Pee Go
Don’t hold your pee.
Not only can this put you at risk for UTIs, but it can also make you more prone to urinary problems in general. If you need to pee, then go, especially if you currently have a UTI.
You should be going many times a day with a constant, healthy flow if you’re drinking enough water anyway.
If you are not able to urinate or it is painful to do so, this could be one of the signs of a UTI.
One way you can do a quick check to see if you have a UTI is to use some inexpensive UTI test strips to test your urine. If you get a positive result, then you know a trip to the doctor might be in order.
3) Wash Yourself Regularly
It’s important to keep your genitalia clean, especially if you’re uncircumcised. Wash gently with soap and water. And make sure that dead skin and fluids are not accumulating under your foreskin. Be sure to wash your genitals before and after sex in particular. Not only will this help prevent a UTI for yourself, but it will also help prevent a UTI for your partner.
4) Protect Yourself
You might also consider using condoms when you have sex. E. Coli is a bacteria present in the human gut and feces. It is one of the major causes of UTI in men and in general, so keep this in mind. If you will be having contact with body fluids that may contain this bacteria, definitely wrap it up.
5) See a Doctor
If your symptoms are severe, then definitely see a doctor. If you allow a UTI to get worse, then it can end up doing irreparable damage to the urinary system. Protect your kidneys and your goods. If you have any of the telltale signs of a UTI, make sure to call up your doctor.
Preventing UTI in men—Conclusion
A UTI in men is preventable by following the simple steps we’ve shared. If you think you may already have a UTI and want to test yourself at home, you can use some UTI test strips to check.
This is a good tool to have on hand if you experience UTIs frequently. Plus, it can help you decide what to do next when you feel the symptoms developing.
As always, use discretion and go see a doctor immediately if your symptoms get worse. When a UTI progresses past a certain point, it can cause major damage. Antibiotics become a necessary treatment in such a case. Don’t wait until it gets to that point, take preventative steps now!
Elena Daisley is a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MT, ASCP certified) with over 10 years of experience in the medical field. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both Biology and Laboratory Science from the University of Central Florida. Elena enjoys helping others on their journey to healthier living.
