3 Urinary conditions found more commonly in men than women
Both men and women are susceptible to urinary conditions such as UTIs, incontinence, and interstitial cystitis. But, certain medical conditions are shared by both sexes but are more commonly diagnosed in men than women. There are three such urinary conditions men are more likely to develop: Kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney stones.
3 urinary conditions that more commonly affect men
Since men often put their health last on their list, they could be harming their health by neglecting to see a urologist unless they are getting routine checkups and exams. The three conditions mentioned above, which are more prevalent in men than women, require a thorough medical work-up and follow-up with their doctor to help fight these potential life-altering conditions.
Let’s briefly explore each of these three conditions affecting the urinary system, keeping in mind that anyone having any of the symptoms or other concerning issues should contact their doctor right away:
Kidney cancer
One of the ten most common cancer diagnosed men in both men and women is kidney cancer. The disease can affect both sexes, but men have a higher lifetime risk of developing this disease (about 1 in 46) than the lifetime risk for women (about 1 in 80).
The risk factors for kidney cancer include old age, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, workplace exposure to certain substances, family history, and diabetes. Since men are twice as
likely to be told they have kidney cancer as women, they must know the symptoms of this disease.
Kidney cancer symptoms: blood in urine, side or back pain/pressure, lump/mass in side or back, leg/ankle swelling, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, men have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with bladder cancer, with a 1 in 28 chance of developing the disease, compared to women who have a 1 in 91 chance.
Most bladder cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 55, with the average age of diagnosis being 73. Smoking cigarettes is the most common cause of bladder cancer, accounting for around 50% of all cases. Smoking pipes or cigars can also increase the risk. Other risk factors include having a family history of the condition, exposure to harmful chemicals or substances, chronic bladder infections, and previous cancer treatments.
Additional risk factors for bladder cancer include a family history of the disease, exposure to harmful chemicals, chronic bladder infections, and prior cancer treatments.
Possible symptoms of kidney cancer may include bloody urine, side or back pain or pressure, a mass or lump in the side or back, leg or ankle swelling, appetite loss, weight loss, and fatigue.
Kidney stones
Men have a higher risk of kidney stones than women, believed to be explained by risk factors of their lifestyle. Some possible causes might be not drinking enough water, irregular exercise, obesity, having had weight loss surgery, eating a high-sodium diet, consuming too many sugary foods or beverages, and having a family history of kidney stones.
Symptoms of someone with a kidney may include blood in urine, nausea/vomiting, and back pain. Individuals who have experienced passing a kidney stone describe it as an intense, excruciating, and the most debilitating pain they’ve ever had.
Kidney stone sizes can vary widely from as small as a grain of sand to the size of a chickpea to as large as a golf ball.
Final thoughts
Common knowledge of urinary conditions found more commonly in men than women can help men pay attention to the health of their urinary tract. Any symptoms a man may be experiencing mentioned in this article should be seen by their healthcare professional as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and to begin treatment right away.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.