Finding blood in your urine (also known as hematuria) can be alarming when you aren’t expecting it. If this happens, you may be worried and looking for answers to your questions.
- Why is there blood in your urine?
- Will it go away on its own?
- Should I see a doctor?
Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more!
What Is Hematuria?
Hematuria is the medical term for having blood in your urine. Blood in the urine can be common but is never normal. It can be due to many different causes, some of which can resolve on their own and some that won’t.
There are two different types of hematuria: gross hematuria and microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria is what you may think of when you hear of blood in the urine. It causes the urine to appear pink, red, or brown. Microscopic hematuria, on the other hand, is only visible when the urine is examined underneath a microscope, so it often goes unnoticed.
Causes Of Blood in the Urine
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs for short, are infections of the urinary tract. Many people with UTIs experience blood in their urine, urinary burning, urgency, and back or flank pain.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
Bleeding caused by urinary tract infections does not usually go away on its own but will usually go away once antibiotics are started to treat the infection.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys or urinary tract. Kidney stones do not usually have symptoms until they start to travel down the urinary tract. At this time, people typically experience back or flank pain, urinary changes like urgency or burning, and, of course, blood in the urine. Blood appears in the urine due to the sharp edges of the kidney stone scraping along the urinary tract and causing minor abrasions as it exits the body.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
If a kidney stone causes bleeding, it will usually go away on its own once the kidney stone has passed. If there is still blood in your urine after the kidney stone has passed, it could be due to a urinary tract infection, which can sometimes happen when you have a kidney stone. If the blood persists due to an infection, you will need antibiotics to resolve the issue.
Exercise-Induced Hematuria
Exercise-induced hematuria is a common condition caused by strenuous physical exercise. The blood can be caused by trauma due to increased pressure on the bladder, the breakdown of red blood cells due to intense exercise, or dehydration.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
Rest assured, bleeding caused by strenuous exercise is usually temporary. For most people, the blood will resolve entirely on its own within 72 hours.
Trauma
Sometimes physical trauma to the kidneys or bladder, such as a hard hit to the back from a car accident, being hit by something heavy, or a fall, can cause bleeding.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
If a trauma causes the blood in your urine, it will usually go away on its own with rest and time. In more severe cases of trauma, surgery may be needed to stop the bleeding.
Medications
Some medications like blood thinners, antibiotics, and chemotherapy medications can cause bleeding in the urinary tract if they are not dosed or taken correctly.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
Blood in the urine caused by medications will usually resolve on its own once the medication is changed to the correct dose or stopped altogether.
Should You See Your Doctor?
Blood in the urine is never normal, and although it may resolve on its own, it’s always best to seek medical care to diagnose your symptoms.
If you have noticed blood in your urine, don’t delay – schedule an appointment today!