Cystitis in men refers to the inflammation of the bladder and this condition is mainly caused by an infection present in the urinary tract. These infections are quite common in women, they can also affect men and sometimes even be dangerous.
Learn more about male cystitis by reading on. You will find out what symptoms to look out for, possible complications related to this condition, different diagnostic and treatment options as well as some preventive measures that can help you avoid this painful infection.
Symptoms of cystitis in men
Symptoms of this infection include frequent urination, urgency, cloudy or smelly urine, blood in the urine, burning or tingling after urination, difficulty urinating, and mild fever.
What are the factors that provoke cystitis in men?
In women, cystitis is usually caused by a urinary tract infection, this disorder frequently affects them because their urethra is located close to their anus and this facilitates bacterial contamination. This problem rarely affects men, but it can be caused by a bacterial imbalance inside the urethra following the use of harsh soaps or wearing tight synthetic underwear.
Certain medications, such as treatments used during chemotherapy, can also cause inflammation of the bladder. Radiation therapy can have the same effect on the pelvic area. Prolonged use of a catheter can also irritate the urethra and bladder and make these organs more susceptible to bacterial infections, which can cause cystitis. Finally, certain conditions, such as diabetes, kidney stones, enlarged prostate or spinal cord injury can also cause inflammation of the bladder.
Male Cystitis: Risk Factors and Complications
As we have already indicated, certain diseases such as an enlarged prostate, diabetes, kidney stones or spinal cord injuries can increase the risk of cystitis. These factors also include prolonged use of a catheter or cystoscopic examinations which can also cause inflammation of the bladder. Cystitis affects older men more frequently because they are the most affected by inflammation of the prostate.
If cystitis is not treated, certain complications can appear, such as the presence of blood in the urine, which generally disappears during treatment, or kidney infections which can cause irreversible damage if left untreated.
Male Cystitis: Diagnosis and Treatments
Your doctor may perform a urinalysis and/or cystoscopy to verify that your symptoms are caused by cystitis. He may also use radio or ultrasound. Urinalysis can identify bacteria, blood and pus in the urine and cystoscopy requires the insertion of a thin tube with a camera inside the urethra to reach the bladder and spot any signs of infection. Finally, although it is rarer, your doctor may also order an x-ray or ultrasound to look for other causes of inflammation, such as a tumor or structural abnormality. The doctor resorts to this type of examination when other methods do not make it possible to identify visible traces of infection.
To treat cystitis, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to neutralize the infection. Some over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, are also helpful in relieving pain while the antibiotic is working.
When should you consult?
We advise men to consult their doctor as soon as they notice the first symptoms that announce cystitis, as this condition can be more dangerous for them than for women. We also recommend that you tell your doctor if it is a recurring condition, tell him if you have localized pain in the flanks, fever or blood in your urine. You should also let them know if your symptoms persist after several days.
Preventive measures against cystitis
In order to prevent this type of disorder, we advise you to avoid baths and to favor showers and to use mild soaps to clean the areas located near your genitals. We also advise you to completely empty your bladder when you feel the need to urinate and to repeat this operation immediately after sexual intercourse. We also recommend that you favor loose cotton underwear and avoid tight underwear made of synthetic material. We also advise you to avoid wearing pants that are too tight. Finally, it is important to stay hydrated regularly by drinking plenty of water to limit the development of bacteria inside the bladder.
Although cystitis affects women more frequently, it can also affect men more seriously. Symptoms of this disorder include frequent urination, urgency, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, burning or tingling after urination, difficulty urinating, and mild fever. Men who notice these types of symptoms should see a doctor quickly so that they can diagnose and treat them as soon as possible. This will allow him to prevent possible complications, such as kidney infections that can cause irreversible damage.