Introduction
Seeing blood in your urine can be frightening. Sometimes it is visible as pink, red or cola-coloured urine. In other cases, blood can only be detected through a urine test. The medical term is hematuria.
Unexplained blood in urine deserves medical evaluation.
Does blood in urine always mean cancer?
No. There are many possible causes of hematuria, including urinary tract infection, kidney or ureteric stones,
prostate-related conditions, kidney disease, urinary tract injury, certain medications or other medical conditions, and urinary tract cancers.
You cannot determine the cause simply by looking at the urine.
What if there is no pain?
This is one of the most important misconceptions. Blood in urine does not have to be painful. Some people may have blood in the urine without significant discomfort. That does not mean it should be ignored.
Could a kidney stone cause blood in urine?
Yes. As a stone moves through the urinary tract, it can irritate the lining and cause bleeding. Kidney stones may
also cause severe pain in the side or back, pain that radiates toward the groin, nausea or urinary symptoms. But not every case of blood in urine is caused by a stone.
Could an infection cause it?
Yes. UTIs can cause blood in urine along with burning while urinating, frequent urination, urgency or lower
abdominal discomfort. If fever, chills or significant illness occurs, medical attention is particularly important.
What about prostate problems?
Conditions affecting the prostate can sometimes be associated with urinary symptoms and, in some situations,
blood in urine. Men with urinary changes should not assume the prostate is the cause without evaluation.
Why does age matter?
The likelihood of certain urinary conditions changes with age. For this reason, unexplained hematuria in an older adult deserves careful assessment rather than being automatically attributed to a UTI or another common cause.
What tests might a urologist recommend?
Depending on the patient’s history and symptoms, evaluation may involve urine testing, blood tests, ultrasound or other imaging, assessment of kidney function, prostate evaluation when appropriate, and additional urinary tract investigations when indicated.
When should you seek medical attention?
Speak to a urologist if you notice visible blood in urine, repeated blood on urine tests, blood with urinary symptoms, blood with unexplained pain, blood with fever, or recurrent urinary infections.
Do not wait for the blood to appear again before getting checked.
Blood in your urine is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It may have a simple explanation, but some causes require
prompt treatment. Finding the cause early gives you the best opportunity to receive the right care.
Dr. Yogesh Kaje, MCh – Urology, provides comprehensive urological evaluation and treatment at Ashirwad
Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
