Blood in Urine

Seeing blood in your urine (known as hematuria) can be upsetting. Sometimes this symptom is harmless, and in other cases it can point to a more serious problem, such as kidney disease, an enlarged prostate or cancer, among other conditions.

If you notice blood when you go to the bathroom, schedule a visit with your doctor or other health care provider to find out what may be causing the blood leakage, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, including nausea, pain or difficulty urinating. If hematuria does not go away, your provider may refer you to a nephrologist to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Hematuria can have a number of causes, including:

• Bacterial infections in the urinary tract, bladder, kidney or prostate
• Bladder or kidney cancer
• Blood clotting disorders such as sickle cell disease
• Certain medications, such as blood thinners, aspirin and antibiotics
• Endometriosis
• Enlarged prostate
• Hepatitis
• Strenuous exercise
• Trauma

Blood in the urine can be pinkish, red or brown in color. In rare cases, you may see blood clots in your urine and experience bladder and back pain with hematuria.

The amount and frequency of blood in the urine may vary. Blood may be visible every time you urinate, or it may not be visible at all. Microscopic amounts of blood in the urine can only be detected through a urine test. Please note that hematuria does not refer to bleeding associated with the menstrual cycle.

Your doctor or other health care provider will review your medical history, complete a physical exam and ask about any medications or supplements you are taking. Sometimes, further testing — such as urinalysis or blood tests — may be necessary.

Treatment for hematuria varies depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, hematuria may resolve on its own without treatment. If the source of the bleeding is an infection, your provider may prescribe antibiotics. Other causes may require referral to specialists such as a nephrologist, urologist or oncologist.