While urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common among women, it’s possible for men to suffer the scourge of this condition as well, resulting in male organ pain and several other symptoms. Fortunately, when caught early, UTIs are easily treatable and tend not to cause any long-term problems. If left untreated, though, serious health problems can occur as the infection works its way up the urinary tract. It’s important, then, for men to know the symptoms in order to take the appropriate male organ care steps to treat such an infection as well as to prevent one. Below, men can learn about the causes, risks, symptoms, treatments and prevention methods for urinary tract infections.

Cause

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria is present in the urinary tract. This system includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. The infection is usually caught and treated when it is present in the lower tract (urethra and bladder). If left untreated, it can progress to the kidneys and lead to serious problems. Usually, the infection occurs when bacteria enters the tract through the urethra. However, it’s also possible for one to occur if something like a kidney stone or bladder stone is blocking the flow of urine through the rest of the tract.

Risks

Risks factors for UTIs in men include:

- Catheterization

- A history of surgery on the prostate or urinary tract

- Kidney or bladder stones

- Unprotected encounter with an infected partner

- Unprotected fussy penetration

- Intact male organ

- Skin irritation around the urethra

Symptoms

Symptoms of a male UTI include:

- Male organ pain while urinating

- Burning sensation on the male organ while urinating

- Need to urinate frequently

- Feeling a need to urinate soon after the bladder has been emptied

- Abdominal pain

- Lower back pain (a sign that the kidneys are involved)

Men should note that UTIs share some symptoms with other infections. Yeast infections as well as several partner-transmitted infections can cause male organ pain and burning while urinating, so diagnosis by a medical professional is recommended.

Treating a UTI

Oral antibiotics are the standard course of treatment for urinary tract infections in both men and women. When taking these medications, it’s important to take all of them according to the prescribed treatment schedule. Even if a man feels better before he’s out of antibiotics, it’s possible for some bacteria to survive if he cuts the medication off too soon. The leftover bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics and increase a man’s risk of recurrent, harder-to-treat infections.

Some doctors prescribe medication to help a man deal with the pain and burning sensation that accompany a urinary tract infection.

Drinking straight cranberry juice, in conjunction with taking antibiotics, may help rid the infection sooner. Choose a pure cranberry juice product, not one of those sugary juice cocktails.

Prevent UTIs

As with all medical conditions, UTIs are best avoided. Here are some things men can do to reduce the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection:

- Drink eight glasses of water daily.

- Drink either pure pineapple or cranberry juice regularly. These are acidic, and the acid may inhibit bacterial growth in the urinary tract.

- Have protected partner encounters, both front- and rear-end.

- Avoid products that may irritate the skin around the urethral opening, such as harsh detergents or soaps.

- Wash under the prepuce regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria.

- Invest in a male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Such a product can help prevent infections in a couple ways. First, it contains moisturizers that reduce skin irritation by keeping the skin smooth and free of cracks that may harbor bacteria. Second, a quality product containing vitamin A can help fight bacteria on the male organ, thereby limiting the chances of it travelling into the urinary tract via the urethra.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving organ sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy member. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.