Men with Recurrent UTIs May Have Underlying Health Issues – Health Expert Warns

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men may be a sign of deeper medical problems and should never be ignored, according to Dr. Isaac Tetteh Secorm, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

He cautioned that frequent UTIs in men are medically abnormal and require urgent evaluation.

Dr. Secorm explained that UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra and move into the bladder, ureters, or kidneys. While common in women, the condition is relatively rare in men due to anatomical differences.

“If a man keeps getting UTIs, we must suspect a deeper problem,” he emphasized.

He noted that women and young girls—including infants as young as six months—are more vulnerable because their shorter urethra makes it easier for bacteria, especially E. coli, to reach the bladder. Poor hygiene practices, such as wiping from back to front, also increase the risk of infection.

Dr. Secorm added that increased sexual activity can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract—a condition sometimes referred to as “honeymoon cystitis.” Although UTIs are not classified as sexually transmitted infections, sexual contact can facilitate bacterial transfer through hands, fingers, or other forms of contact.

Common symptoms include frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, and a strong urge to urinate with only small amounts passing. He clarified that UTIs are distinguishable from frequent urination due to hydration because infections often involve pain and low urine volume.

Treatment, he said, requires proper medical care, increased water intake, and maintaining good genital hygiene. Accurate diagnosis must involve laboratory testing—dipstick, microscopy, and culture—to identify the exact bacteria and determine the most effective medication.

“We must grow the bacteria and test which drug can kill it before giving the right medication,” he explained, cautioning the public against self-medicating with antibiotics, which can lead to drug-resistant infections.

Addressing UTIs in pregnancy, Dr. Secorm warned that hormonal changes and pressure on the urinary tract make pregnant women more susceptible to infections, which can trigger premature labour if untreated. Severe cases can develop into kidney infections (pyelonephritis), posing risks to both mother and child.

He debunked common home remedies, stating that sitting in warm salted water may ease discomfort but cannot cure the infection.

In his final advice, Dr. Secorm urged the public to prioritize personal hygiene, adopt proper cleaning techniques, and seek medical care early—especially men experiencing recurrent infections.

“If you keep getting UTIs, especially as a man, please seek medical help because it could mean something is wrong underneath,” he cautioned.