Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often thought of as a problem for women, but men can get them too—especially as they get older. A UTI happens when bacteria get into any part of the urinary system, like the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. UTIs in men can be different from those in women because of the way men’s bodies are built and because men can have other problems, like prostate issues, that make UTIs more complicated. This article will explore the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of UTIs in men. We'll delve into why men are affected differently, the specific symptoms they may experience, and the diagnostic tests typically used to identify these infections. Additionally, we'll discuss effective treatment options and strategies for preventing UTIs to help men manage and reduce their risk of these infections.

Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a bacterium that can spread in semen or vaginal fluid and infect the vagina, uterus (womb), urethra (tube for the passage of urine, plus semen in men), the penis, rectum and, less commonly, the throat and eyes. It may cause no symptoms at all but if it does, signs to look out for are a vaginal, penile or rectal discharge. This is usually watery and white or cloudy, and there may also be pain or stinging when peeing. In the longer term, men may get pain in the testicles and women develop pain in the pelvis, especially when having sex, and bleeding after sex or between periods. Ultimately it can cause infertility if left untreated. It may also cause joint inflammation (arthritis) and irritated red eyes (conjunctivitis). Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms at all, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are aged 16 to 25, as this is the highest risk age group. If you're a woman, sexually active and under 25, it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners. If you're a man, sexually active and under 25 it's recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you’re not using condoms with new or casual partners. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and if you’re changing partners regularly or have multiple partners, get tested every three months.

Erectile dysfunction is when you are unable to get an erection or maintain an erection in order to have sex. It can sometimes be referred to as impotence or shortened to ED, and it is a very common symptom men can experience from time to time. In most cases, there is no serious underlying cause, and it may improve on its own, although it is important to know there is a treatment that can help. It is especially common in older men, with around 1 in 2 men over the age of 40 experiencing ED at some point. Some of the things that can contribute to erectile dysfunction include tiredness, stress, or excessive alcohol. The causes of longer-term erectile dysfunction can be split into 3 main types, which are psychological, physical health, and medication-induced. Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include stress, performance anxiety (or any anxiety around having sex), relationship issues, or mental health conditions such as depression. With psychological causes, erectile dysfunction usually starts suddenly, not gradually, and it is best to treat the cause (e.g., the mood symptoms) rather than treating the symptom of erectile dysfunction. Treat the mood symptoms, and the erectile dysfunction will hopefully improve. Physical causes are usually the reason for ED in men over 40, with reduced blood flow to the penis being at the top of that list. The arteries in the penis become too narrow for enough blood flow to cause an erection. Men who smoke, have high blood pressure, or have high cholesterol levels are more at risk of developing this. With physical causes, erectile dysfunction tends to occur more gradually over time rather than suddenly. Chronic health conditions that affect nerves or blood flow, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, can also cause ED, as well as any damage to the penis or low testosterone levels, however these are less common. Some medications can cause or make erectile dysfunction worse. These include some of the medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure, and prostate problems. It is best to discuss this with your doctor if you think this might be the case. Don't stop taking the medication before speaking with your doctor.

Warts are small fleshy growths or bumps with a hardened dry top, most often flesh-colored, but can appear red if irritated. Several can appear in a cluster. Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and spread by vaginal, anal, digital, and oral sex or sharing sex toys. They are not harmful and can disappear within a few months, but they can become irritated and sore if they rub or catch on clothing, and some people are bothered by their appearance. You also put your partner or partners at risk of contracting them if left untreated. Depending on their size or location, they may catch on clothes or feel a bit sore and sometimes itch or bleed. They may not cause you any bother. Or you may be bothered by your appearance, which can affect your confidence and, inevitably, intimate relationships.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This can easily pass from person to person via unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex or sharing of sex toys. Condoms help to prevent catching gonorrhea. This may cause no noticeable symptoms, or it can cause a yellow/green, watery, or pus-like discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum. It may cause pain on peeing; for women, pain during sex, bleeding after sex, or bleeding between periods, and for men, pain in the testicles. It can cause joint inflammation (reactive arthritis) and eye symptoms (conjunctivitis) and, if left untreated, can cause infertility. Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are 16 to 25, as this is the highest-risk age group. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and at least once a year.

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition in which you might notice the area feels tight or itchy. It may be painful when passing urine, having sex, or – for men – getting an erection. If it's around the anus, you may find it sore when passing a stool. Skin can become fragile and bleed if rubbed or scratched and then feel very sore if it breaks down. It may form blood blisters or thickened areas with constant scratching. At first, there may be nothing to see on the skin. Later in the process, you may notice shiny white patches where it feels sore or itchy.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US, except for skin cancer. It mainly affects older men and is very common – about 13% of men will get it in their lifetime. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men by the base of the bladder that produces seminal fluid, which helps sustain and transport sperm. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the gland change, causing abnormal growth and – like many cancers - it develops slowly over time and so may cause few, if any, symptoms initially. Prostate cancer is often confined within the prostate gland and causes little serious harm, although it may cause troublesome symptoms. However, it can spread to other organs and become life-threatening and so for this reason the sooner prostate cancer is found, the better the chances of treatment being effective.