Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir

Hematuria, or blood in urine, is common. It means red blood cells are in your urine. This can be a sign of many health issues.

At Liv Hospital, finding blood in urine is scary. But, not all cases are serious. It can be from simple things like hard exercise or serious problems that need quick doctor visits.

If you see blood in your urine, get medical help. We focus on you, using the latest tests and treatments. This way, we find the right cause and fix it.

Key Takeaways

• Hematuria affects more than 20% of people evaluated by urologists.
• Blood in urine can be a sign of infection, kidney stones, or cancer.
• Anyone with hematuria should have a doctor investigate the cause.
• Liv Hospital offers complete care for hematuria patients.
• Quick doctor visits are key for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding Hematuria: Blood in Urine Explained

It’s important to know about hematuria to find out why there’s blood in your urine. Hematuria means there’s blood in your urine. It can show that you have a health problem.

What is Hematuria?

Hematuria is when you have red blood cells in your urine. It’s split into two types: microscopic and gross hematuria.

Microscopic vs. Gross Hematuria

Microscopic hematuria means you can only see the blood with a microscope. Gross hematuria makes your urine look bloody or different. Gross hematuria is more serious and makes you go to the doctor right away. Microscopic hematuria is found during a routine test.

Prevalence in the Male Population

Microscopic hematuria happens in 2 to 31 percent of people. This shows it’s common but can vary. In men, it can mean different things, from nothing serious to serious diseases.

Knowing about hematuria helps both patients and doctors understand its importance. It shows why we need to check it out to find the cause.

Common Causes of Blood in Urine Male

Blood in urine, known as hematuria, can have many causes in men. These include urinary tract infections or kidney stones. Knowing these causes is key for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason for blood in urine in men. UTIs happen when bacteria infect the urinary system. Symptoms include blood in urine, pain while urinating, and frequent need to urinate.

UTIs causing blood in urine mean the infection is affecting the urinary tract. This can lead to serious problems if not treated quickly. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for UTIs. Sometimes, more tests are needed to check for other issues.

Prostate Conditions

Prostate issues, like BPH and prostatitis, also cause blood in urine in men. BPH makes the prostate gland grow, blocking urine flow and causing bleeding. Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, often from infection.

These conditions can lead to blood in urine due to increased pressure or inflammation. Symptoms include trouble urinating, painful urination, or needing to urinate often. Treatment depends on the condition and may include medications or antibiotics.

Kidney and Bladder Stones

Kidney and bladder stones are hard mineral deposits that can cause pain and bleeding. They can block urine flow, leading to blood in urine. Symptoms include severe pain in the side or back, below the ribs, or in the lower abdomen.

Treatment for these stones may include drinking lots of water, pain relief, or surgery to remove or break them up.

Prostate-Related Causes

Blood in urine can be scary, and for men, it often points to prostate issues. The prostate gland is key to male health. Problems with it can cause urinary symptoms, like blood in the urine.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland. As men get older, the prostate can grow, pressing on the urethra. This can cause bleeding from the urinary bladder due to the increased pressure.

Symptoms of BPH can vary. They include trouble starting to urinate, weak urine flow, and frequent need to urinate. Sometimes, there’s blood in the urine. BPH is not cancer, but it can really affect your life.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It can be caused by infection or other factors. Symptoms include pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, and sometimes blood in the urine.

Treating prostatitis usually means antibiotics for infections. But chronic prostatitis is harder to manage and might need a detailed treatment plan.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is serious. It’s when cancer cells grow in the prostate gland. Early-stage cancer might not show symptoms, but advanced cancer can cause urinary problems, including blood in the urine. It’s more common in older men and can be found through tests like the PSA test.

It’s important to catch prostate cancer early and treat it. The treatment depends on the cancer’s stage and how aggressive it is.

It’s key for men to know about prostate-related hematuria. If you see blood in your urine, see a doctor. They can find out why and help you get better.

Kidney and Bladder Conditions

Kidney and bladder issues are big reasons for hematuria, which is blood in the urine. These problems can be infections, cancer, or genetic disorders. Each has its own symptoms and risks.

Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis)

Kidney infections, or pyelonephritis, happen when bacteria from the urinary tract get into the kidneys. This can be very painful and serious if not treated quickly. Symptoms include fever, back pain, and painful urination.

If you have these symptoms and blood in your urine, you need to see a doctor right away.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer can also cause blood in the urine. It happens when cells in the bladder grow too much and form tumors. Visible hematuria is often the first sign of bladder cancer.

Other signs are dysuria (painful urination) and needing to urinate a lot. Finding it early is important for treatment.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder with many cysts in the kidneys. It doesn’t usually start with hematuria. But as it gets worse, it can cause kidney stones and cyst rupture, leading to blood in the urine.

PKD can also lead to kidney failure if not managed well.

Knowing about these kidney and bladder issues is key for those with hematuria. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve their health.

Trauma and Exercise-Induced Hematuria

Hematuria, or blood in urine, can happen for many reasons. This includes physical trauma and intense exercise. We’ll look at how these factors lead to blood in the urine and what recovery might be like.

Physical Injury to the Urinary Tract

Physical injury to the urinary tract is a main cause of hematuria. This injury can come from accidents, sports injuries, or other trauma. When the urinary tract gets hurt, it can bleed into the urine. The amount of bleeding depends on how bad the injury is.

Common causes of physical injury to the urinary tract include:

• Blunt trauma to the abdomen or back
• Sports injuries, like those in contact sports
• Accidents, such as falls or car crashes

Exercise-Induced Hematuria

About 12 percent of people experience hematuria during intense exercise. This is common in those who do a lot of running or high-impact activities. The exact reason is not known, but it’s thought that the impact during exercise might hurt the bladder or kidneys, causing bleeding.

Recovery Timeline

The time it takes to recover from hematuria caused by trauma or exercise varies. Often, it goes away in a few days without needing treatment. But, it’s important to watch it and see a doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop or if you have other symptoms.

Knowing why hematuria happens and how long it might take to get better can help manage it. If you have blood in your urine, seeing a doctor is key. They can figure out why and what to do next.

Medications and Blood Disorders

Certain medications and blood disorders can increase the risk of hematuria. This is when blood is found in the urine. We will look at how these factors contribute to hematuria and what you can do to manage your risk.

Blood-Thinning Medications

Blood-thinning medications, or anticoagulants, prevent blood clots. They are important for those at risk of clotting disorders. But, they can also raise the risk of bleeding, including hematuria.

Common blood-thinning medications include:

• Warfarin
• Aspirin
• Heparin
• Rivaroxaban
• Apixaban

Patients on these medications should be aware of the risk of hematuria. They should talk to their healthcare provider about any concerns.

Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders, like hemophilia, affect blood clotting. They can cause excessive bleeding, which may show up as hematuria.

The National Hemophilia Foundation says, “Bleeding disorders can cause significant health issues, including hematuria, if not properly managed.”

“Bleeding disorders require complete care to prevent complications such as hematuria.”

Other Medications That May Cause Hematuria

Other drugs can also cause hematuria as a side effect. These include certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and chemotherapy medications.

Examples of such medications are:

• Cyclophosphamide (used in chemotherapy)
• Penicillins and cephalosporins (antibiotics)
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen

It’s important for patients to know about these side effects. They should talk to their healthcare provider if they notice any unusual symptoms.

Understanding the link between medications, blood disorders, and hematuria helps individuals manage their health. If you’re experiencing hematuria and are on medication or have a bleeding disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help determine the best action to take.

Accompanying Symptoms and Their Significance

Knowing the symptoms that come with blood in urine can tell us if it’s serious. When we see blood in our urine, other signs can help figure out what’s wrong.

Chills and Fever with Blood in Urine

Chills and fever with blood in urine usually mean a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney infection. These are serious and need quick doctor visits. These symptoms show the body is fighting an infection, and ignoring them can cause bigger problems.

Pain During Urination

Pain while urinating is another sign with blood in urine. This pain can be mild or very bad, showing irritation or infection in the urinary tract. Painful urination is a big warning sign that needs checking out.

Other Warning Signs

Other signs include stomach pain, back pain, and trouble starting or stopping urination. These can mean kidney stones, bladder problems, or prostate issues. Spotting these symptoms early is key for quick help.

We need to listen to our bodies and see a doctor if we have these symptoms with blood in urine. Quick diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference for many conditions.

Diagnostic Procedures for Blood in Urine

When blood is found in urine, doctors use several tests to find the cause. We’ll explain these tests so you know what to expect.

Physical Examination

A physical exam is the first step to find out why you have blood in your urine. A doctor will look for signs of illness like fever or pain in your belly. They might also check your prostate in men.

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests are key to diagnosing blood in urine. A urinalysis checks for blood, protein, and other issues in your urine. They might also do a urine culture to look for infections and blood tests to see how your kidneys are doing.

Imaging Studies

Imaging studies let doctors see inside your urinary tract. They use ultrasound, CT scans, and intravenous pyelography (IVP). These tests can spot stones, tumors, and other problems.

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is when a thin tube with a camera is put into your bladder. It lets doctors see inside your bladder and urethra for any issues like tumors or stones.

Treatment Options Based on Underlying Causes

Treatment for hematuria changes a lot depending on the cause. It could be an infection, a prostate issue, kidney or bladder stones, or cancer. Knowing the cause is key to finding the right treatment.

Treating Infections

For UTI-caused hematuria, antibiotics are the main treatment. It’s important to finish the whole antibiotic course. This ensures the infection is gone for good.

Managing Prostate Conditions

Prostate-related hematuria treatment varies. For BPH, medicines might help relax the prostate or shrink it. If it’s prostatitis, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs might be needed.

Addressing Kidney and Bladder Stones

Dealing with kidney and bladder stones involves managing pain and staying hydrated. Sometimes, surgery is needed. Small stones might pass with more water, but big ones might need lithotripsy or surgery.

Cancer Treatments

For bladder or kidney cancer, treatment depends on the cancer’s stage and type. It could be surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. Early detection makes these treatments more effective.

Here’s a quick look at treatment options based on the cause:

Managing hematuria well needs a detailed plan based on the diagnosis. Knowing the cause and treatment options helps patients make better choices for their care.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Blood in urine can be scary. Knowing when to get help is key. If you see blood, it’s important to know when to rush to the doctor.

Emergency Warning Signs

Some symptoms mean you need to see a doctor right away. These include:

• Severe pain: Sudden and severe pain in the lower abdomen, back, or flank area.
• Heavy bleeding: Passing large clots or experiencing heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop.
• Signs of infection: Fever, chills, or a burning sensation while urinating.
• Difficulty urinating: Inability to urinate or experiencing a weak urine flow.

Situations Requiring Urgent Care

Not all hematuria needs immediate care. But some situations do. These include:

• Trauma to the abdomen or back.
• Sudden onset of severe hematuria.
• Signs of dehydration or severe blood loss.

Knowing these situations helps you make the right choices for your care.

What to Tell Your Doctor

When you see a doctor for hematuria, tell them everything. Discuss:

• The duration and characteristics of your hematuria.
• Any accompanying symptoms, such as pain or difficulty urinating.
• Your medical history, including any previous episodes of hematuria.
• Any medications you’re currently taking.

Telling your doctor all this helps them find the cause of your hematuria.

Prevention Strategies

While you can’t prevent all hematuria, there are ways to lower your risk. These include:

• Staying hydrated to help prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
• Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.
• Managing underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
• Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.

By following these tips, you can lower your risk of hematuria.

Conclusion: Managing and Preventing Blood in Urine

Understanding hematuria and its causes is key to managing and preventing it. While some causes can’t be stopped, knowing the risks and keeping urinary health in check can help. This can lower the chance of bladder bleeding.

We’ve talked about why hematuria happens, like infections, prostate issues, and stones. Tests and scans help find the real cause.

Handling hematuria means treating the root problem, like an infection or stone. To stop blood in urine, keep clean, live healthy, and see doctors often.

If you have hematuria, seeing a doctor is a must. They can find the cause and fix it. Knowing why it happens and taking steps to prevent it can make life better.

FAQ

References

National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2025). What Causes Blood in Urine in Males and. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534213/