Blood in the urine is always a concern. It should be taken seriously. Your doctor will want to determine the cause.
Blood in the urine could also be a sign of certain rare conditions outside the urinary system.
The colour of the blood in urine may appear pink, bright red, or smoky brown. Seeing blood during the urine stream may give a clue to the source. For example, if the blood appears when you start urinating and the urine clears during the stream, the source may be lower down, as in the penis or urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside). When one sees blood at the end of the stream, bleeding may be from the bladder or (in men) the prostate area. When the blood appears throughout the stream, the source may be the bladder, kidneys, or the tubes connecting them (ureters).
Certain kinds of foods, like beetroot or blackberries, may give the urine a reddish tint. This should only last for a day or so after eating these foods. A few medications may turn the urine reddish. If you have started a new medication, and notice a colour change in your urine, call your pharmacist to see if that is normal. If the redness persists and cannot be explained by food or medication, consult your doctor promptly.
Your kidneys and urinary tract filter your blood and are essential to good health.
Article #5262
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