Blood in your urine, called hematuria, can appear as red or brown urine and may signal infections or serious conditions like kidney disease. While often harmless, it requires medical evaluation.
Urine contains waste products filtered from your bloodstream. When blood cells leak into urine, they turn it red or brown. This can happen anywhere along the urinary tract: kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra.
| Type | Description | Common Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Gross hematuria | Visible blood in urine | UTIs, kidney stones, trauma |
| Microscopic hematuria | Blood only visible under microscope | Exercise, medications, early kidney disease |
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause about half of gross hematuria cases. Kidney stones account for 5%. Less common causes include:
I once noticed pink urine after an intense cycling session. A doctor confirmed it was exercise-induced hematuria-a temporary, harmless condition.
See a doctor immediately if you have blood in urine plus:
Microscopic hematuria usually requires testing only if you have risk factors for kidney disease or cancer.
Doctors diagnose hematuria through urine tests, imaging, or cystoscopy. Treatment depends on the cause:
Most cases resolve with treatment. Recurrent hematuria may require long-term monitoring.