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For men at every stage of life, recognising changes in urological health can help identify potential problems early.
Men’s Urological Health
Men’s urological health covers the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract, as well as the male reproductive system, including the prostate, testicles, penis, and scrotum. These systems can be affected by a range of conditions, from UTIs and kidney stones to prostate problems, and cancer. Knowing what symptoms to look out for, understanding your risk factors, and speaking to your doctor when something changes can all help protect your health.
Recognising some of the most common urological conditions affecting men is a useful first step in recognising when to seek medical advice. If symptoms do arise, a urologist can help diagnose and treat conditions affecting the urinary system and male reproductive organs. They can assess symptoms such as difficulty urinating, changes in urinary frequency, blood in the urine, testicular changes, and prostate problems. Regular health checks and screenings, awareness of your personal risk factors, and seeking medical advice when symptoms occur can help identify problems early.
Common Urological Conditions Affecting Men
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter and multiply in the urinary tract. UTIs are less common in men than women, and should be assessed by a doctor to ensure it’s not because of an underlying urinary or prostate problem.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Symptoms can include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Difficulty passing urine
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Need to urinate more often or urgently
A fever, chills, back or side pain, or feeling generally unwell can indicate that an infection has spread to the kidneys and requires prompt medical assessment.
How is a UTI treated?
Most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, is the most common diagnosis for men between the ages of 45 and 74. BPH occurs when the cells in the prostate multiply. This causes the prostate gland to get bigger, which puts pressure on the urethra and interferes with the flow of urine.
What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Symptoms of BPH can include:
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- Urinary urgency
- A feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely
- Getting up several times during the night to urinate
- A weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Dribbling after urination
How is benign prostatic hyperplasia treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and whether there is any obstruction caused by the increased size of the prostate gland. Treatment options may include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medication
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Surgery in some cases
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It can occur at any age, affecting almost 50 per cent of men at least once during their lifetime. It is the most common prostate condition for men under the age of 50.
What are the symptoms of prostatitis?
Symptoms can include:
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvis, lower abdomen, lower back, testicles, or penis
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Difficulty passing urine
- Blood in the urine
- Painful ejaculation
- Fever, chills, and muscle aches in acute bacterial prostatitis
How is prostatitis treated?
Some forms of prostatitis are caused by bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics. Other forms are not caused by infection and may require different approaches to treatment.
Simple lifestyle changes can help ease the discomfort associated with prostatitis. You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush the urinary tract. Limit coffee and alcohol, especially in the evening, which could make urinary symptoms worse. Avoid drinking fluids too close to bedtime. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. For pain management, medications like ibuprofen and at-home treatments like hot baths, hot water bottles, and heating pads may help.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting younger men, particularly those aged 15 to 34.
When found early, it is highly treatable. Men should become familiar with the normal size, shape, and feel of their testicles so that they can recognise changes. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes, so any new testicular change should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
Possible signs include:
- A lump or swelling in a testicle
- A testicle becoming larger or changing in shape
- An ache or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men and the risk of developing it increases with age.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, which is why testing is important. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- An urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- A weak or reduced urine stream
- Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Erectile difficulties
These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like BPH. Men should discuss their prostate cancer risk and whether testing is appropriate with their doctor. As early prostate cancer may not cause symptoms, understanding your individual risk factors and discussing appropriate testing with your doctor is important.
Bladder and Kidney Cancer
Blood in the urine can have many causes, including UTIs, kidney stones, and other conditions. However, it can also be a warning sign of bladder or kidney cancer.
What are the symptoms of bladder or kidney cancer?
Aside from blood in the urine, other possible symptoms can include:
- Changes in urination
- Persistent pain in the side or lower back
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Persistent urinary symptoms
Although these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, persistent symptoms or blood in the urine should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Male Infertility
Male infertility can result from problems with sperm production, sperm movement, or sperm function. Causes may include:
- Low sperm production
- Problems with sperm movement or shape
- Hormonal disorders
- Genetic conditions
- Previous injury or surgery involving the testicles
- Infections
- Certain medications or medical treatments
Investigating infertility may involve a thorough physical examination, hormone tests, and semen analysis.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys from minerals and salts in the urine. Small stones may pass through the urinary tract without treatment, while larger stones can cause severe pain or become lodged.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Symptoms of kidney stones may include:
- Severe pain in the side or back
- Pain that moves towards the lower abdomen or groin
- Blood in the urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain when urinating
- An increased need to urinate
How are kidney stones treated?
Small kidney stones often pass on their own with increased water intake and pain relievers, while larger stones require medical procedures such as:
- Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) – uses sound waves to break a kidney stone into smaller pieces
- Ureteroscopy – a surgeon uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera at one end to look inside your body
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) – a surgeon uses a small incision in the back and specialised instruments to locate and remove larger kidney stones.
Which treatment is right for you will depend on the size and location of the kidney stones.
How To Keep Your Urological Health in Check
There is no single screening schedule that applies to every man. Your healthcare needs depend on your age, family history, ethnicity, lifestyle, and existing health conditions.
Younger men (between the ages of 18-40)
- Be aware of changes in the testicles
- Know your family history of bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer
- Practice safe sex and seek medical advice about symptoms of sexually transmitted infections
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly
- Don’t ignore persistent urinary osymptoms
Men in midlife (between the ages of 40-50)
- Have your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked regularly
- Discuss prostate cancer risk with your doctor
- Pay attention to changes in urinary habits
- Don’t ignore blood in the urine or semen
Older men (between the ages of 50-70+)
- Continue discussing prostate health and cancer risk with your doctor
- Report changes in urinary frequency, urgency, or flow
- Seek advice if you are waking frequently at night to urinate
- Maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active
- Keep other health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol well controlled.
Warning Signs To Look Out For
While many urological conditions are treatable, early assessment is important. Speak to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
PAIN: Persistent pain in the pelvis, genitals, side, abdomen, back, or when urinating
BLOOD IN THE URINE: Blood in the urine should always be assessed
CHANGES IN URINATION: Increased frequency, urgency, difficulty starting, a weak stream, or repeatedly waking at night to urinate
TESTICULAR CHANGES: A new lump, swelling, enlargement, heaviness, or persistent discomfort
UNEXPLAINED SYMPTOMS: Unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or other symptoms that do not resolve should be discussed with your doctor.
Top 5 Healthy Living Tips For Men
1. Exercise regularly
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week, alongside strength-based exercise on two days where possible. Regular exercise can support cardiovascular health, healthy weight management, and sexual health.
2. Eat a balanced diet
A Mediterranean-style diet - rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, fish, and other minimally processed foods - can support your overall health. Limit highly processed foods, excess saturated fats, salt, and added sugars. Caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can irritate the bladder in some men, so consider reducing them if you notice they make your urinary symptoms worse.
3. Don’t smoke
Smoking increases the risk of several cancers and cardiovascular diseases and can also contribute to several men's sexual health issues including infertility.
4. Manage stress and prioritise sleep
Chronic stress can affect your sleep, mood and sexual health. Make time for activities that help you relax, whether it’s walking, exercise, spending time in nature, meditation, or connecting with friends and family. Aim for around seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep each night.
5. Stay hydrated
Drink enough fluid throughout the day to stay hydrated. Aim to drink at least 6 or more glasses of water daily to stay well hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should speak to your doctor if your urinary symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your sleep or daily life. Symptoms such as blood in the urine, difficulty passing urine, severe pain or fever require prompt medical assessment.
Prostate cancer screening should be discussed with your doctor based on your age, family history, ethnicity, symptoms, and individual risk factors.
Men should be familiar with what is normal for them and report any new lump, swelling, change in size, or persistent discomfort to their doctor, who can advise whether further investigation is needed.
Yes. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can all support cardiovascular and sexual health in men.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and limiting alcohol can support overall health. Men should also discuss their individual risk of prostate cancer with their doctor, particularly if they have a family history of the disease.
Persistent or unexplained testicular pain should be assessed by your doctor. A new lump, swelling, or change in the size or shape of a testicle should also be checked promptly.
Key Takeaways
- Men’s urological health is important at every age. not just later in life.
- Changes in urinary habits should not be ignored, particularly persistent urgency, frequency, difficulty urinating, or a weak urine stream.
- Blood in the urine should always be investigated.
- Know what is normal for your testicles and see your doctor if you notice a new lump, swelling, change in size, or persistent discomfort.
- Prostate cancer may cause no symptoms in its early stages, so men should discuss individual risk and whether testing is appropriate with their doctor.
- Family history can influence cancer risk, making it important to tell your doctor if close relatives have had prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer.
- Male infertility can have several causes including problems with sperm production, sperm movement, hormones, or the reproductive system.
- Kidney stones can cause severe pain, particularly in the side, back, or groin, and symptoms accompanied by fever or difficulty passing urine require prompt medical attention.
- Lifestyle changes can support men’s long-term urological health including regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing stress.
- Don’t be embarrassed to discuss urinary or sexual symptoms with your doctor. Early assessment can help identify the cause and ensure appropriate treatment.
- Seek urgent medical attention for severe or sudden symptoms including sudden severe testicular pain, inability to pass urine, severe pain with fever, or significant blood in the urine.
Take Charge of Your Health
From prostate health and testosterone levels to fertility and sexual function, urological health concerns can affect men at every stage of life. Understanding common conditions and recognising potential warning signs can help support early diagnosis and treatment.
Explore the Allianz Men's Health and Wellness Hub for practical tools, expert-backed resources, and support to help you maintain your health and wellbeing at every stage of life. You can also access our Expat Assistance Programme (EAP), included in most plans, which provides confidential counselling and emotional support to help you navigate life's challenges and build resilience.
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