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Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is a big health worry for millions of women. It shows up as either gross hematuria, where urine looks different, or microscopic hematuria, where blood is only seen under a microscope blood in urine female.
At Liv Hospital, finding blood in urine is scary. But, it usually means you have a treatable problem, not a serious disease. Doctors say blood in the urine can mean infection, kidney stones, or other issues.
Hematuria is when blood shows up in your urine. It can be seen with the naked eye or only under a microscope. We’ll look at the different kinds and what they mean.
There are two main types: gross and microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria makes the urine look red or brown. Microscopic hematuria means tiny blood cells are found in the urine, even if it looks clear.
Studies show that microscopic hematuria affects 2% to 31% of people. This wide range shows how different studies and populations can be.
| Type of Hematuria | Prevalence | Common Causes |
| Gross Hematuria | Less common than microscopic hematuria | Bladder or kidney stones, infections, trauma |
| Microscopic Hematuria | 2% to 31% of the general population | Infections, kidney disease, bladder or kidney stones |
Knowing about hematuria’s types and how common they are is key. It helps both patients and doctors figure out what’s going on and how to treat it.
Hematuria, or blood in urine, can have many causes in females. These range from infections to serious conditions. Knowing these causes is key for the right diagnosis and treatment.
The main reasons for hematuria in females fall into a few main categories. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a big cause. They can cause inflammation and bleeding in the urinary tract. About 40% to 60% of women get UTIs at some point, making them a big factor in hematuria.
Other causes include kidney stones, which can bleed as they move, and endometriosis. This is when tissue like the uterus lining grows outside the uterus and can affect the urinary system.
There are several risk factors for hematuria in women. These include:
Knowing these risk factors and main causes helps in early detection and management of hematuria. If you notice symptoms, seeing a healthcare professional is vital for the right evaluation and treatment.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common cause of blood in the urine for women. They can really affect your quality of life if not treated right. UTIs happen when bacteria get into the urinary tract and cause an infection.
This infection can lead to symptoms like blood in the urine. It’s important to know about UTIs and their symptoms.
UTIs cause blood in the urine because of inflammation and irritation in the urinary tract. Bacteria in the urinary tract cause an infection. This infection can lead to inflammation and bleeding.
The blood in the urine can be tiny or big enough to see. It depends on how bad the infection is.
Key factors that contribute to UTI-related hematuria include:
Women with UTI-related bleeding might also have other symptoms. These include:
If you think you have a UTI, you should see a doctor right away. Quick treatment can help with symptoms and prevent worse problems.
UTIs are a big health issue for women. Studies show UTIs are more common in women than men. This is mainly because of differences in anatomy.
| Age Group | Prevalence of UTIs |
| 18-24 years | High |
| 25-44 years | Moderate to High |
| 45-64 years | Moderate |
| 65+ years | Moderate to Low |
If a UTI is found, doctors usually start with antibiotics. Antibiotics are very effective in treating UTIs. It’s key for women to know about UTI risks and symptoms to get medical help fast.
It’s important to understand how kidney and bladder stones can cause blood in urine. These stones are a big health issue, leading to over 500,000 emergency room visits each year in the U.S.
Urinary stones form when urine’s mineral balance is off, causing minerals to crystallize. They can be made of different materials like calcium oxalate, uric acid, and cystine. Dehydration, diet, and genetics play a role in their formation.
The main types of urinary stones are:
Stones can damage the bladder or kidney lining by scraping against it. This damage can cause blood vessels to leak, leading to bleeding.
Kidney and bladder stones can cause more than just blood in urine. They can also lead to:
It’s key to recognize these symptoms early. Untreated stones can lead to serious issues like infection or kidney damage.
Many gynecological conditions can cause blood in urine. Hematuria is often linked to urinary tract issues. But, it’s important to think about gynecological factors, too, for female patients. We’ll look at some key gynecological causes and how they might lead to blood in urine.
Endometriosis affects over 11% of women in the U.S. It’s when tissue like the uterus lining grows outside the uterus. This can cause pelvic pain and sometimes blood in urine. Adenomyosis, where this tissue grows into the uterus wall, can also lead to heavy bleeding and blood in urine.
Key points about endometriosis and adenomyosis:
Menstruation is a normal part of female health. But, it can sometimes be mistaken for blood in urine. It’s important to understand the timing and characteristics of the bleeding to figure out its cause.
Factors to consider:
It’s key to tell vaginal bleeding from urinary bleeding. Vaginal bleeding can happen for many gynecological reasons, like menstruation. It might look like hematuria. A detailed medical check is needed to find out where the bleeding is coming from.
To find out why there’s blood in urine, doctors might do tests like urinalysis and imaging studies. They might also do gynecological exams. Knowing the cause is important for the right treatment.
Kidney diseases are a big reason for blood in the urine in women. They affect the urinary system in many ways. We’ll look at the kidney diseases and conditions that cause blood in the urine. Understanding their impact and the need for proper diagnosis is key.
Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease that inflames the glomeruli. These are the kidneys’ filtering units. This condition can cause blood in the urine because of the damage to the kidneys.
Symptoms and Causes: Symptoms include blood in the urine, too much protein in the urine, and high blood pressure. Causes can be infections or autoimmune diseases.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder. It causes many cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can damage the kidneys and make them not work right, leading to blood in the urine.
Key Features: PKD is marked by many cysts of different sizes. These cysts can cause problems like kidney stones, cyst infections, and kidney failure.
Interstitial cystitis, or bladder pain syndrome, causes bladder pressure and pain. It can also cause pelvic pain. Symptoms can get worse with certain foods and drinks.
Diagnostic Approaches: To diagnose interstitial cystitis, other conditions that could cause similar symptoms are ruled out. Treatment aims to manage symptoms.
| Kidney Condition | Primary Symptoms | Potential Complications |
| Glomerulonephritis | Hematuria, Proteinuria, Hypertension | Kidney Failure, Cardiovascular Disease |
| Polycystic Kidney Disease | Cysts in Kidneys, Hematuria, Pain | Kidney Failure, Cyst Infections, Kidney Stones |
| Interstitial Cystitis | Bladder Pain, Urgency, Frequency | Reduced Bladder Capacity, Pelvic Pain |
Certain medications can lead to hematuria, which is blood in the urine. It’s important for patients to know this, as it helps in finding the cause of hematuria.
Many medications can cause blood in the urine. This can happen as a side effect or because of how the medication works. Knowing this helps in diagnosing and treating hematuria.
Several types of medications have been linked to hematuria. These include:
These medications can cause blood in the urine in different ways. They might irritate the bladder or affect how the body clots blood.
Blood thinners and anticoagulants can also lead to hematuria. These drugs prevent blood clots or break them up.
They are key in stopping and treating blood clots. But, they can also increase the risk of bleeding, including blood in the urine. Common ones include warfarin, apixaban, and rivaroxaban.
People taking these drugs should watch for signs of blood in the urine. Their doctor might need to adjust their medication to lower this risk.
It’s important for both patients and doctors to understand how medications can cause hematuria. This helps manage side effects and find the true cause of blood in the urine.
Blood in urine can be scary, and sometimes it means cancer. Cancers of the bladder and kidney are big worries when we talk about hematuria.
Bladder cancer is a common disease that affects the bladder. Risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to chemicals, and radiation therapy. Symptoms include blood in urine, painful urination, and needing to urinate often.
Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma, can also cause blood in urine. Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, being overweight, and genetic conditions. Blood in urine is often the first sign, along with pain in the side and a noticeable mass.
Finding cancer early is key to better treatment. Knowing the signs of bladder and kidney cancer, like blood in urine, is vital. We stress the need to be aware of these symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment.
To diagnose hematuria, doctors need to look at your medical history, do a physical exam, and run tests. This helps find out why you have blood in your urine. Then, they can plan the best treatment.
When you see a doctor with hematuria, they start by asking about your health history. They also do a physical exam to find any signs of the problem.
Tests are key to figuring out why you have hematuria. These might include:
Treatment for hematuria depends on what’s causing it. For example, if it’s a urinary tract infection, you’ll need antibiotics. If it’s kidney stones, you might need pain meds, lots of water, and sometimes surgery.
For serious issues like kidney disease or cancer, treatment might include:
To prevent hematuria, you need to tackle its causes. For many women, this means keeping the urinary tract clean and drinking plenty of water. Others might need to manage chronic conditions.
Some ways to prevent hematuria include:
By knowing why hematuria happens and using these prevention tips, women can lower their risk. This helps keep their urinary system healthy.
It’s important for women to know when to see a doctor if they have blood in their urine. Hematuria can mean different things, from simple infections to serious diseases like cancer.
If you notice blood in your urine, get a doctor to check it out. Quick action is key. This way, you can find out what’s causing it and get the right treatment.
Women with hematuria should talk to a healthcare professional right away. Don’t wait if you see blood in your urine. Getting medical help quickly is the best way to get the care you need.
Blood in the urine, or hematuria, can mean many things. It could be a sign of infections, kidney stones, or even cancer. It’s important to see a doctor to find out why.
Blood in urine can happen for many reasons. It might be due to infections, stones, endometriosis, or some medicines. We can figure out why and find the right treatment.
Blood in urine can come from infections, stones, endometriosis, or kidney diseases. We’ll talk about these reasons and help you understand your situation.
Certain things can increase your risk of hematuria. These include past infections, stones, some medicines, and diseases like kidney problems or cancer. We can look at your specific risks.
Menstruation itself doesn’t cause urine blood. But, vaginal bleeding can sometimes mix with urine. We’ll help you tell the difference.
Doctors use several steps to diagnose hematuria. This includes looking at your medical history, doing a physical exam, and tests like ultrasound or CT scans. We’ll guide you through this process and suggest the right tests.
Treatment for hematuria varies based on the cause. It could be antibiotics for infections, surgery for stones or cancer, or other options. We’ll find the best treatment for you.
Yes, some medicines, like blood thinners, can lead to hematuria. We’ll check your medicines and explain how they might affect you.
Blood in urine can be a sign of cancer, like bladder or kidney cancer. But, it’s not the only reason. We’ll find out why you have it and give you a proper diagnosis.
To prevent hematuria, stay hydrated, keep good hygiene, and manage health conditions. We can give you advice to lower your risk.
If you see blood in your urine, see a doctor right away. This is important if you also have pain, fever, or trouble urinating. We’re here to help you figure out what’s going on and get the right treatment.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.. What Causes Blood in Urine for Females Hematuria. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534213/)
