Typical causes in men
Urinary tract infections in men are also mostly caused by intestinal bacteria. However, due to their long urethra (on average 20 cm), men suffer much less frequently from urinary tract infections that spread to the bladder. As with women, foreign bodies such as inserted bladder catheters are the main cause of urinary tract infections.
Venereal diseases can also trigger urinary tract infections in men. Another risk factor in men is an enlarged prostate. The enlargement of the organ means that the urine can no longer be completely emptied from the bladder.
This promotes the migration of germs into the bladder and thus the development of urinary tract infections. Prostate enlargement (prostate hyperplasia) plays an important role in the development of cystitis in men, especially in older age. The prostate lies below the bladder and encloses the urethra.
If prostate enlargement occurs with age, which is the case in many men, it can constrict the urethra. In addition, above a certain size, the prostate raises the floor of the bladder slightly.Both mechanisms make it difficult for the urine to be completely discharged during urination. As a result, some residual urine remains in the bladder, which provides a good breeding ground for ascending bacteria. In addition, the urinary stream is usually significantly weakened due to the narrowness. This makes it easier for bacteria to migrate up the urethra.
Urinary tract infection after sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse is a possible cause of urinary tract infections. Sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted, which then lead to a urinary tract infection. These are usually caused by bacteria.
In addition, bacteria normally found on the skin are also carried over into the genital tract during sexual intercourse. If they settle there, a urinary tract infection can also occur. This is called “honeymoon” cystitis.
As a preventive measure, urination immediately after sexual intercourse can help, because it can flush out any bacteria that have been introduced. Condoms can also reduce the rate of urinary tract infections. Catheters, along with other foreign bodies, are a common cause of urinary tract infections in older people or those in need of care.
If the catheters remain in the bladder for a long time, they form a reservoir in which bacteria can collect. Along the plastic tube, the bacteria can penetrate unhindered into the bladder and cause a urinary tract infection there. In the worst case, the urinary tract infection can also cause blood poisoning (sepsis), which can be life-threatening, especially in older, prematurely ill patients.
For this reason, a urinary catheter must be removed immediately as soon as the patient no longer needs it. More detailed information about the structure of a urinary catheter and its function can be found on our main page urinary catheters. Bladder stones are urinary stones, i.e. small, hard accumulations of substances that are located in the bladder.
Since they are mainly found in the lower part of the bladder due to gravity, they can make urination more difficult. As a result, the bladder cannot empty itself completely, which in turn promotes the development of urinary tract infections, since this also keeps the bacteria in the bladder. In addition, the stones can damage the bladder wall and thus reduce the body’s resistance to bacteria. Also, when the bacteria have migrated up the urethra, they can sometimes attach themselves to the bladder stones more easily, leading to longer-lasting and more persistent urinary tract infections.