Overview
Hematuria is the presence of blood in a person’s urine. There are two types of hematuria, including:
- Gross hematuria: visible blood in the urine.
- Microscopic hematuria: blood in the urine only seen under a microscope.
It is important to determine the reason for the bleeding to identify any underlying causes. Treatment for hematuria depends on its cause. For example, if an infection causes blood in the urine, then a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Symptoms
Gross hematuria produces pink, red or brown colored urine due to the presence of red blood cells. The bleeding usually isn’t painful. However, if a person has gross hematuria, they may also get blood clots in the urine, which may cause discomfort when passing through the urethra.
Causes
Reasons people may have blood in the urine include:
- Infection in the bladder, kidney, or prostate
- Vigorous exercise
- Viral illness, such as hepatitis
- Sexual activity
- Menstruation
- Endometriosis
More rare, serious causes of hematuria may include:
- Bladder or kidney cancer
- inflammation of the kidney, urethra, bladder, or prostate
- Blood-clotting disorders
- Sickle cell disease
Gross hematuria, or visible blood in the urine, is more likely to be tied to a more serious health issue that needs medical attention.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask you a variety of questions to obtain a thorough medical history. One or more of the following exams and tests are performed for diagnosis:
- Blood test
- Urinalysis
- Cystoscopy
- Physical exam
Treatment
Most patients with blood in their urine do not have major health problems and may only need antibiotics for treatment. However, in patients with a more serious condition, finding the underlying cause early can be lifesaving.
