In a number of previous articles I have mentioned urinary tract infections. Millions of men acquire such infections each year, so it seems a good idea to look at the subject in more depth.
Even though urinary infections in men, especially boys and young men, are less common than in women, it is still important to recognize the symptoms and get treatment quickly. Infections of the urinary system (the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) can be very serious - even life threatening.
Function of the urinary system
The function of the urinary system is to rid the body of liquid waste (about a quart and a half per day of urine) keep a healthy balance of substances and salts in the blood and produce a hormone that contributes to the formation of red blood cells. The flow of urine helps prevent infection by washing out infections. The prostate gland also produces fluids that slow bacterial growth.
Causes of urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urine is normally sterile but under certain circumstances bacteria, often E-coli that live in the colon, moves into the urethra causing an infection called urethritis. The infection may move up the system to the bladder, called cystitis, or to the kidneys, pyelonephritis.
Interesting fact about urinary tract infections
It has been found that women whose male partners use condoms with spermicidal foam tend to have the E-coli bacteria in the vagina.