After 1 year of age, asymptomatic bacteriuria occurs more commonly in females than males because the urethra is shorter in females. The short urethra makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the anus or genital area up the urethra and into the bladder during normal activities such as wiping or sexual intercourse. Most bacterial infections of the urinary tract are caused this way. Bacteria can also enter the urine through the bloodstream, but this is rare. Elderly women and pregnant women, particularly pregnant women with diabetes or sickle cell trait, have an increased risk of getting asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Men can also develop asymptomatic bacteriuria.
In older men it is usually due to an enlargement of the prostate gland that blocks the flow of urine. Asymptomatic bacteriuria has no obvious symptoms. Your doctor may also order some blood tests. For a clean-catch specimen you will be asked to clean the genital area from front to back with a special antiseptic wipe and urinate a small amount into the toilet. Then you urinate into a sterile container.