Seeing blood in urine can be worrying, particularly when it happens without an obvious reason. Your urine may appear red pink, or brown. You might notice a small amount of blood once, or see repeated changes in colour.
Doctors call blood in urine haematuria. It can happen for many reasons. Urinary tract infections, kidney stones and an enlarged prostate are common causes. Bleeding can also occur because of conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder or other parts of the urinary system.
Sometimes you can see the blood. In other cases, a urine test finds red blood cells even though your urine looks normal. Unexplained blood in your urine should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.
What Is Blood in Urine?
Blood in urine means that blood has entered the urinary system and is present in your urine.
It can come from the:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
Doctors generally classify haematuria as visible or microscopic.
Visible Haematuria
Visible haematuria means you can see a change in your urine. It may look pink, red, dark red or brown. The blood is visible to the naked eye. The medical term gross hematuria is also used for visible blood in urine.
Microscopic Haematuria
With microscopic hematuria, you cannot see the blood yourself. A urine test detects red blood cells in the sample.
You may have no pain or other symptoms. The presence of blood does not tell you what caused it. Your doctor may need to carry out further checks based on your symptoms and medical history.
What Does Blood in Urine Look Like?
Blood can give urine several different colours.
You may notice:
- Pink urine
- Bright red urine
- Dark red urine
- Brown or cola-coloured urine
- Blood clots
The colour does not show how serious the underlying cause is.
Urine can also become red or brown because of certain foods or medicines. Testing can help determine whether the change is actually due to blood.
For specialist advice about urinary symptoms, you can explore Bloom Health's Urology service.
Common Causes of Blood in Urine
Haematuria can have several causes. Some are temporary, while others need medical investigation.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections can irritate the urinary tract and cause bleeding.
You may also experience:
- Burning or stinging when urinating
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- A sudden urge to urinate
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
A urine test can help identify an infection.
Bloom Health's Walk-In Centre can assess non-life-threatening urinary symptoms.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that can form inside the kidneys or urinary tract. When a stone moves, it can irritate the surrounding tissue and cause bleeding. The pain can be severe and may affect your side, back, abdomen or groin. Nausea and vomiting can also occur.
Small stones may pass naturally. Larger stones sometimes require treatment. Bloom Health's Urology service provides assessment for kidney stones and other urinary conditions.
Enlarged Prostate
The prostate surrounds part of the urethra below the bladder.
As the prostate becomes larger, it can restrict the flow of urine.
An enlarged prostate may cause:
- A weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- An interrupted flow
- Frequent urination
- Needing to urinate during the night
- A feeling that the bladder has not emptied
An enlarged prostate is different from prostate cancer. However, persistent changes in urination should be investigated to establish the cause.
Kidney Infections
A kidney infection can cause blood in urine along with more noticeable symptoms.
These can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Pain in the side or lower back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling generally unwell
Kidney infections need prompt treatment because they can become serious.
Vigorous Exercise
Very strenuous exercise can sometimes lead to temporary haematuria. This has been reported after activities such as long-distance running.
If bleeding continues or returns after exercise, arrange a medical assessment rather than assuming exercise was responsible.
Kidney Disease
Some forms of kidney disease can cause microscopic haematuria. You may not notice any visible change in your urine. Doctors may use urine and blood tests to assess kidney function and look for signs of an underlying condition.
Bladder or Kidney Conditions
Some conditions affecting the bladder or kidney can cause blood in urine. These include bladder and kidney cancers.
Bladder cancer can cause visible blood in urine. Other urinary symptoms may also occur. Blood in urine does not mean that you have cancer.
Infections, stones and other conditions are much more common explanations. However, unexplained bleeding needs appropriate investigation.
Can Blood in Urine Be Painless?
Yes. You can have haematuria without pain or any other noticeable symptoms. The bleeding may appear suddenly and then disappear. This does not necessarily mean that the cause has resolved.
If you notice unexplained blood in your urine, arrange a medical assessment even when you feel well.
Does Blood in Urine Mean Cancer?
No. There are many possible causes of haematuria, and most are not cancer. Urinary infections, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate and kidney conditions can all cause bleeding.
However, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer can also cause urinary symptoms. Your doctor will consider several factors when deciding whether you need further investigation. These may include your symptoms, age, medical history and test results.
The important thing is to investigate unexplained bleeding rather than trying to identify the cause yourself.
What Other Urinary Symptoms Can Occur?
Blood in urine may occur alongside other changes in your normal urinary habits.
You might notice:
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- A weak stream
- An interrupted flow
- Burning or discomfort
- Needing to urinate more often
- A sudden urge to urinate
- Passing only a small amount
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied
The combination of symptoms can help a doctor work out what may be causing the problem.
For example, infections often cause burning and urgency, while an enlarged prostate can affect urine flow.
If you cannot pass urine at all, seek urgent medical help.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Arrange an assessment if you notice blood in your urine and do not know why it happened.
You should seek medical advice particularly if:
- The bleeding happens again
- You have no obvious explanation
- You have pain when urinating
- Your urine flow has changed
- You have repeated urinary infections
- You have pain in your side or lower back
- You develop fever or chills
Do not wait for another episode before seeking advice.
When Is Blood in Urine an Emergency?
Some situations require urgent medical attention.
Seek urgent help if you:
- Cannot pass urine
- Pass blood clots and struggle to urinate
- Have severe pain in your side or back
- Have severe pain with fever or vomiting
- Feel seriously unwell
For a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.
Bloom Health's Walk-In Centre is intended for non-life-threatening conditions and does not replace emergency services.
How Is Blood in Urine Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about the bleeding and any other symptoms.
They may want to know when it started, whether it has happened before and whether you have experienced changes in your usual urinary pattern.
A urine test can confirm whether blood is present. It can also identify signs of infection and other abnormalities.
Further investigations depend on the initial findings.
Your doctor may recommend blood tests, scans or other investigations to understand where the bleeding is coming from.
What Tests Might You Need?
Urine Tests
A urine sample can detect blood that is not visible.
It can also provide information about possible infections and other urinary problems.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can assess your general health and provide information about kidney function.
Imaging Tests
Your doctor may recommend imaging tests to examine the kidneys, bladder or other parts of the urinary system.
Depending on your symptoms, this may include an ultrasound or CT scan.
Bloom Health provides diagnostic services where clinically appropriate.
Specialist Assessment
If the cause remains unclear or your symptoms need further investigation, your doctor may refer you to a urologist.
A specialist can assess the urinary system and recommend appropriate investigations or treatment.
Bloom Health's Urology service provides specialist assessment for urinary and prostate-related concerns.
How Is Blood in Urine Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause.
There is no treatment for haematuria itself. Instead, doctors treat the condition responsible for the bleeding.
For example:
- Infections may require antibiotics.
- Some kidney stones pass without treatment, while others need intervention.
- An enlarged prostate may respond to medication or another treatment.
- Kidney conditions may require specialist management.
- Some bladder or kidney conditions need further investigation and treatment.
Your doctor will discuss the appropriate approach after identifying the likely cause.
What If Blood in Urine Keeps Coming Back?
Repeated bleeding deserves attention, even when each episode stops on its own. Your doctor may look for an underlying cause, particularly if the bleeding occurs alongside other urinary symptoms.
If you also experience repeated urinary infections, further testing may help explain why they keep returning. Depending on the findings, you may need urine tests, imaging or a urology assessment.
What Should You Tell Your Doctor?
Try to remember what happened when you first noticed the blood.
Useful details include:
- When it started
- The colour of your urine
- Whether you noticed clots
- Whether you had pain or burning
- Changes in your urine flow
- How frequently you needed to urinate
- Whether you have experienced it before
- Any medicines or supplements you take
Even if the bleeding has stopped, these details can help your doctor assess the situation.
Blood in Urine Assessment in Milton Keynes
Bloom Health provides walk-in and specialist healthcare services in Milton Keynes for people with urinary concerns. The Bloom Walk-In Centre can assess non-life-threatening symptoms.
For specialist concerns, Bloom Health's Urology service provides assessment for blood in urine, kidney stones, prostate-related symptoms, recurrent urinary infections and other urological conditions.
You do not need a GP referral to access the urology service. Bloom Health Hospital is located at 163–175 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1AE.
You can contact Bloom Health to discuss your healthcare needs.
Final Thoughts
Blood in urine can have a simple explanation, such as an infection or kidney stone. It can also occur with an enlarged prostate, kidney disease or other urinary conditions.
Sometimes the blood is easy to see. In other cases, a urine test detects microscopic bleeding that you cannot see. The cause cannot be determined from the colour of your urine alone.
If you notice unexplained blood in your urine, speak to a healthcare professional. Prompt assessment can help identify the cause and determine whether you need further treatment or investigation.
Quick note :
This article provides general health information and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have blood in your urine or worrying urinary symptoms, speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
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