A urinary tract infection, also called a UTI, is the term for an infection involving any area of the urinary system, including the bladder, the kidneys, the ureters and the urethra. A UTI is a common infection that is normally contained in the bladder and that affects more women than men. This is because women more easily transfer the bacteria into their body due to the size and position of the urethra, which is short and at the front of the vagina. The male urethra, on the other hand, extends the length of the penis. The most common causes of urinary tract infections in men are from an infection in the prostate--called prostatitis---and difficulty emptying the bladder, according to The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging.
Pain
Pain may take many forms for men with a urinary tract infection. A common symptom of this infection includes pain or a burning sensation while urinating. The pain may also feel like a dull ache or constant pressure in the pelvis. Some males may feel pain in the back or side, especially when the kidneys are infected.
Increased Urinary Frequency and Urgency
A urinary tract infection may make men feel the need to urinate more frequently than normal, or they may feel an immediate need to urinate. Most often, the amounts of urine that pass are small and may be only a few drops at a time. A small amount of urine in the bladder does not decrease the feeling of needing to urinate frequently. Increased urinary frequency and urgency occurs most often with a lower urinary tract infection.
Urine Changes
The urine itself may change for men with a urinary tract infection. The urine is normally clear and pale to straw-colored and does not have a noticeable odor. With a UTI, the urine may change drastically. A man may see the urine looking cloudy or darker than normal. The urine may also contain blood. The blood in the urine may vary from being microscopic in size to large amounts that turn the urine a red or rusty color. Urine may also begin to smell and have a strong odor, according to Medline Plus.
Fever and Generalized Discomfort
Men may run a low-grade fever with UTIs. A higher fever, nausea, vomiting, chills and severe pain in the back or side is indicative of a more serious kidney infection in the upper urinary tract and warrants further medical attention. A man may feel more tired if he has a UTI.
