Blood in urine (hematuria)

What blood in urine means

Blood can enter urine from different parts of the urinary tract. Possible explanations range from infection, stones, inflammation, recent procedures, or injury to kidney disease and cancers. Menstrual or other non-urinary bleeding can also affect a sample. A clinician needs context and testing to identify the source.

What a clinician may ask

Be ready to describe when the color appeared, whether there is pain, fever, urinary difficulty, clots, recent exercise or injury, medicines, smoking history, infections, stones, procedures, and other medical conditions.

Tests that may be considered

Assessment commonly begins with a history, examination, and urinalysis. Depending on the situation, a clinician may consider urine culture, blood tests, imaging, cystoscopy, or other tests. The appropriate pathway varies by age, risk factors, pregnancy, symptoms, and whether the finding is visible or laboratory-detected.

What not to do

Do not assume that red urine is harmless or that a single normal result explains a previous episode. Do not stop prescribed medicine without professional advice.

Questions to ask a clinician

• Was blood confirmed in the urine sample?
• What causes are most important to rule out in my situation?
• Do I need imaging, cystoscopy, repeat testing, or referral?
• Could a medicine or recent procedure affect the result?
• What changes should make me seek urgent care?