Blood in Urine

Overview

Hematuria is the presence of blood, specifically red blood cells, in the urine. Whether the blood is visible only under a microscope or visible to the naked eye, hematuria is a sign that something is causing bleeding in the genitourinary tract.

Causes of this condition range from non–life threatening (e.g., urinary tract infection) to profoundly serious (e.g., cancer, kidney disease). Therefore, a healthcare provider should be consulted as soon as possible.

Signs & Symptoms

Bleeding may happen once or it may be recurrent. It can indicate different problems in men and women.

Diagnosis & Treatment

There are many causes of hematuria. The most common causes include the following:

  • Enlarged prostate
  • Kidney and bladder stones
  • Kidney disease
  • Medications; blood thinners and arthritic medications
  • Trauma (e.g., a blow to the kidneys)
  • Tumors and/or cancer in the urinary system

The treatment of hematuria depends on the cause of the bleeding and where the bleeding is located. Since hematuria is not a disease in itself, bleeding can only be stopped when the underlying condition is found and treated.