Urine - bloody
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the blood is visible. It often turns the toilet water red or pink. Or, you may see spots of blood in the water after urinating.
Hematuria; Blood in the urine
There are many possible causes of blood in the urine.
Bloody urine is may be due to a problem in your kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract, such as:
If there is no problem with your kidneys, urinary tract, prostate, or genitals, your doctor may check to see if you have a bleeding disorder. Causes from blood disorders include:
Blood that looks like it is in the urine may actually be coming from other sources, such as:
The urine can also turn a red color from certain drugs, beets, or other foods.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
You may not see blood in your urine because it is too small. Your health care provider may find it while checking your urine during a routine exam.
Never ignore blood you see in the urine. Get checked by your doctor, especially if you also have:
Call your doctor right away if:
Also call your doctor if:
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions such as:
Tests that may be done include:
The treatment will depend on the cause of blood in the urine.
Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: History, physical examination, and the urinalysis In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 3.
Landry Dw, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Review Date: 12/27/2013
Reviewed By: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Chief of Urology, Cambridge Health Alliance, Visiting Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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