Hematuria (Blood in Urine)

Hematuria Symptoms

Because hematuria is usually a symptom in itself, there are not very many signs to indicate it, other than visibly pink, red, or brownish colored urine. Many times, women mistake hematuria for menstrual bleeding. Bloody urine, however, is likely to be waterier and typically isn’t accompanied by pain.

Causes of Hematuria

There are various reasons you may experience red, pink, or brownish urine. Some medications and certain foods, such as beets, can cause your urine to appear red. Blood in the urine, however, looks very different. Also, strenuous exercise has been known to cause gross hematuria in rare cases, but the reasons why are not completely clear.

More common, and serious, conditions associated with hematuria are:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Microscopic hematuria is typically found during a urinalysis for an infection.
• Kidney infections. In the case of kidney infections, hematuria may be microscopic or gross.
• Bladder or kidney stone. Both can cause both gross and microscopic hematuria.
• Enlarged prostate. Only present in men, the prostate can grow with age and partially block urine flow. Hematuria is a common symptom of an enlarged prostate.
• Kidney disease. Microscopic hematuria can occur when the kidneys’ filtering system is inflamed.
• Kidney injury. A blow or injury to the kidneys can cause gross hematuria.
• Advanced kidney cancer, bladder cancer, or prostate cancer. Gross hematuria is sometimes the first sign of these cancers.

If you notice blood in your urine, you should contact a doctor immediately. The Urology specialists at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic can perform a comprehensive urinalysis to detect hematuria, determine the cause, and suggest treatment.