Seeing blood in your urine can be scary. Whether your urine looks pink, red, or brown, or your doctor found blood during a routine urine test, it’s natural to wonder what’s causing it.
There are many possible blood in urine causes. Some are easy to treat. Others need prompt medical care. Knowing what could be behind the bleeding can help you know when it’s time to see a urologist.
What Does Blood in the Urine Look Like?
The medical term for blood in the urine is hematuria.
Sometimes you can see the blood. Your urine may look pink, red, rust-colored, or brown. This is called gross hematuria.
Other times, the blood can’t be seen with the naked eye. Instead, it’s found during a urine test. This is called microscopic hematuria because the red blood cells can only be seen under a microscope.
Whether the blood is visible or only found during testing, it’s important to find out what’s causing it.
Common Blood in Urine Causes
Blood can enter your urine anywhere along your urinary tract, including the:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
Some blood in urine causes are minor and go away with treatment. Others may need more testing or ongoing care. Finding the source of the bleeding helps your doctor choose the right treatment.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection can irritate the lining of your bladder and urinary tract, causing bleeding. Other symptoms often include:
- Burning when you urinate
- Frequent urination
- A sudden urge to urinate
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
While UTIs are more common in women, men can get them too.
Kidney And Bladder Stones
Kidney and bladder stones can scrape the lining of your urinary tract as they move. This can cause bleeding. Many people also have:
- Severe pain in the side or back
- Pain that spreads toward the groin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Frequent or urgent urination
Enlarged Prostate
As men get older, the prostate often gets larger. An enlarged prostate can affect urine flow and put pressure on nearby blood vessels, which may lead to blood in the urine.
Other symptoms may include:
- A weak urine stream
- Trouble starting urination
- Waking up often to urinate
- A feeling that your bladder isn’t completely empty
Kidney Disease
Some kidney diseases can allow blood cells to leak into the urine. In many cases, the blood is microscopic and found during routine testing.
Other signs may include:
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- High blood pressure
Bladder, Kidney, Or Prostate Cancer
Cancer isn’t the most common cause of blood in the urine, but it’s one doctors take seriously. In some cases, blood in the urine is the first or only symptom. It may happen without pain or other warning signs.
Your risk is higher if you:
- Are older
- Smoke or used to smoke
- Have been exposed to certain chemicals at work
- Have a history of urinary tract cancers
Medications
Some medicines can make bleeding more likely, including:
- Blood thinners
- Aspirin
- Antiplatelet medications
Never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.
Vigorous Exercise
Long-distance running and other intense exercise can sometimes cause temporary blood in the urine. It often goes away after you rest, but it should still be checked to rule out other causes.
Trauma Or Injury
An injury to your kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract can also cause bleeding. This may happen after:
- A fall
- A car accident
- A sports injury
- A recent urinary tract procedure
How Doctors Find The Cause Of Blood In The Urine
Because many blood in urine causes have similar symptoms, your doctor may recommend several tests to find the source of the bleeding.
These may include:
- A physical exam and medical history
- A urine test
- A urine culture to check for infection
- Blood tests
- Imaging, such as a CT scan or ultrasound
- A cystoscopy, which lets your urologist look inside your bladder with a small camera
Not everyone needs every test. Your doctor will recommend the right ones based on your symptoms and medical history.
When Should You See A Doctor?
Many blood in urine causes can look alike. A urinary tract infection, kidney stone, enlarged prostate, and even bladder cancer can all cause blood in the urine. You can’t tell the cause just by looking at your urine, so it’s important to get checked.
While many causes aren’t emergencies, you should seek medical care right away if you have:
- Blood clots in your urine
- Trouble urinating or can’t urinate
- Severe pain in your side, back, or abdomen
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
These symptoms may be a sign of a blockage, kidney stone, or serious infection.
Don’t Ignore Blood In Urine Causes
Blood in your urine is never something you should ignore, even if it only happens once or goes away on its own. While many blood in urine causes aren’t serious, others need prompt treatment to protect your urinary tract and overall health.
If you’ve noticed blood in your urine or your doctor found blood during a urine test, don’t wait to get answers. If you’re in the Eugene–Springfield, OR area, the team at Oregon Urology Institute can help find the cause and recommend the right treatment. Call (541) 334-3350 to schedule a consultation and discuss your questions, goals, and next steps.