Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by

What is frank hematuria (gross hematuria)? Learn the causes and severity of blood in the urine that is visible to the naked eye. Hematuria comes from the Greek words haima (blood) and ouron (urine). It means there’s blood in your urine. This happens to about 1 in 5 people who see a urologist.

There are two types of hematuria. You can see the blood with your eyes, called gross hematuria. Or, it might only show up when a doctor looks at it under a microscope, known as microscopic hematuria. At Liv Hospital, we use top-notch care to check and treat hematuria.

It’s important to know why you have hematuria. It can mean different things, from simple to serious health issues. We aim to give you the best care possible, supporting our international patients every step of the way.

Key Takeaways

• Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine.
• It can be visible (gross hematuria) or microscopic.
• A common condition affecting 1 in 5 patients evaluated by urologists.
• Understanding the underlying causes is key to the right diagnosis.
• Liv Hospital offers full care for those with hematuria.

Definition and Overview of Hematuria

Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, can signal health problems. It comes in two main types: gross and microscopic hematuria.

Etymology and Medical Definition

The word “hematuria” comes from Greek. “Haima” means blood, and “ouron” means urine. It’s when red blood cells are found in the urine.

Gross hematuria means you can see blood in your urine. Microscopic hematuria is when tests show blood, but you can’t see it.

Prevalence and Significance

Hematuria is common and can affect anyone. Its importance varies by age and diagnosis criteria. It can point to urinary or kidney problems, from infections to cancer.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you see blood in your urine, talk to your doctor. It could be a minor problem or a sign of something serious. Getting checked out is important.

See a doctor if you notice blood in your urine, have pain, or have had urinary problems before. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Types of Hematuria

It’s important to know the different types of hematuria for diagnosis and treatment. Hematuria is split into two main types: microscopic and gross hematuria. Each type can point to different causes.

Microscopic Hematuria

Microscopic hematuria means blood in the urine that only shows up under a microscope. It’s often found during routine tests. Even a few red blood cells can be a sign of a problem.

Frank Hematuria (Gross Hematuria)

Gross hematuria makes urine look bloody or discolored. It’s so obvious that it usually gets you to see a doctor right away. It can be caused by infections, stones, or tumors in the urinary tract.

Benign hematuria happens when tests don’t find any serious problems. Yet, it’s important to check for any big issues. Knowing the difference between microscopic and gross hematuria helps doctors decide what to do next.

Common Causes of Hematuria

Understanding why hematuria happens is key to treating it. Hematuria, or blood in urine, can stem from many sources. Recent studies show that 4-5 percent of people have microscopic hematuria without symptoms.

Common reasons include urinary tract infections, kidney infections, bladder or kidney stones, enlarged prostate, and some medicines. We’ll dive into these causes to see how they lead to hematuria.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a big reason for hematuria. When bacteria get into the urinary tract, it causes infection and swelling. This swelling can make you bleed, leading to hematuria. UTIs hit women more often than men, and risk factors include sex, certain birth controls, and urinary tract issues.

Kidney and Bladder Stones

Kidney and bladder stones also cause hematuria. These stones can irritate and hurt the urinary tract lining, causing bleeding. Stones can also raise the chance of UTIs, making things worse.

Enlarged Prostate

In men, an enlarged prostate often leads to hematuria. An enlarged prostate can block urine flow, leading to retention and bleeding. Symptoms include trouble starting to pee, weak flow, and needing to pee a lot.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is another cause of hematuria. Kidney disease can come from diabetes, high blood pressure, and genetics. As kidney disease worsens, it can damage the kidneys’ filters, causing hematuria.

Finding the cause of hematuria is key to treating it. We’ll look at more serious causes in the next section.

Serious Underlying Conditions

Hematuria can signal serious health issues that need quick medical help. Finding out why blood is in the urine is key. This helps avoid life-threatening problems.

Urinary Tract Cancers

Urinary tract cancers, like bladder, kidney, and ureter cancers, can cause hematuria. These cancers are more common in older people, smokers, and men. Doctors say, “Cancer: Bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer can sometimes cause blood in the urine.” Finding and treating these cancers early is critical.

Kidney Trauma or Injury

Kidney injuries can also lead to hematuria. Such injuries often happen from a hit to the back or side. They can cause a lot of bleeding in the urine. It’s important to see a doctor right away to check the injury and treat it.

Blood Disorders

Blood disorders can also cause hematuria. These include bleeding disorders or issues with blood clotting. They make it easier to bleed, showing up as blood in the urine. It’s important to find and manage these disorders to fix the hematuria.

In summary, hematuria can point to serious issues like urinary tract cancers, kidney injuries, and blood disorders. Getting medical help is key to figuring out the cause and getting the right treatment.

Symptoms Associated with Hematuria

Blood in urine, known as hematuria, can cause various symptoms that need medical help. Seeing red or pink in your urine means you should know what it might mean and when to see a doctor. Hematuria can show up in different ways, and knowing the symptoms is key to finding the cause.

Gross Hematuria with Clots

Gross hematuria means you can see blood in your urine, sometimes with clots. These clots can hurt your bladder or back and might block urine flow. Clots mean you’re bleeding a lot, which might need quick medical attention.

Pain and Discomfort

Pain and discomfort often come with hematuria. You might feel it in your lower abdomen, back, or when you pee. Sometimes, the pain is so bathat d it could mean a kidney stone or infection.

“The presence of pain with hematuria often indicates an underlying condition that needs to be addressed,” says a leading urologist.

Other Accompanying Symptoms

Other symptoms can also show up with hematuria. These include fever, needing to pee a lot, or feeling a burning sensation when you pee. These signs might mean you have a urinary tract infection or something else serious.

It’s important to know the symptoms of hematuria to get the right medical care. If you notice any of these signs, seeing a doctor is a must for a proper check-up and diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

When hematuria is found, doctors start a detailed process to find its cause. This is key to figuring out what’s wrong and how to fix it.

Initial Assessment and Medical History

The first step is a deep dive into your medical history and a physical check-up. We ask about your symptoms, past health, and lifestyle to spot possible reasons for hematuria.

Urinalysis and Laboratory Tests

A urinalysis is a key test for hematuria. It checks a urine sample for blood, protein, or infection signs. Tests like blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels also check how well your kidneys are working.

Imaging Studies

Imaging tests are essential for seeing the urinary tract and finding any problems. Common ones include ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI.

Cystoscopy and Specialized Procedures

Cystoscopy is when a flexible tube with a camera is put into the bladder. It helps find bladder stones, tumors, or other issues. Other special tests might be needed based on what’s found first.

By using all these tests, we can find out why you have hematuria and create a good treatment plan.

Treatment Approaches for Hematuria

Knowing why you have hematuria is key to finding the right treatment. Blood in your urine can mean many things, from simple to serious. So, treatments are made to fit the exact cause of hematuria.

Addressing Underlying Causes

The first thing to do is find and fix the root cause of hematuria. For example, if it’s from a urinary tract infection, antibiotics are used to treat it. If kidney stones are the problem, you might need pain management and sometimes surgery to get rid of the stones.

Management of Benign Hematuria

For benign hematuria, like from too much exercise, changing your lifestyle can help. This might mean doing less intense workouts or drinking more water. Sometimes, just watching it closely is enough.

When Surgical Intervention Is Necessary

But if hematuria is from serious issues like tumors or big stones, surgical intervention is needed. The surgery can be simple or complex, depending on the problem.

Medications can also play a big role in treatment. They might help with symptoms or underlying conditions. For example, they could shrink an enlarged prostate or manage kidney disease.

Some common treatments for hematuria include:

• Antibiotics for urinary tract infections
• Lifestyle changes for exercise-induced hematuria
• Medications or procedures for conditions like an enlarged prostate or kidney stones
• Surgical intervention for severe or complex causes

Risk Factors and Prevention

It’s important to know the risk factors for hematuria to catch it early. Hematuria, or blood in urine, can come from many sources. We can change our lifestyle to lower these risks. Let’s look at the main risk factors and how to prevent them.

Age, Gender, and Genetic Factors

Older age, smoking, and being male increase the risk of hematuria. As we get older, the chance of urinary tract cancers goes up. Men are more likely to get conditions like an enlarged prostate that cause hematuria. Family history also plays a part, with a higher risk if there’s a history of kidney disease or cancer.

Lifestyle Modifications

Making lifestyle changes can lower the risk of hematuria. Quitting smoking is a big step, as it reduces the risk of bladder cancer and other issues. Eating well, drinking plenty of water, and exercising can also help. Managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can prevent kidney disease, a common cause of hematuria.

Preventive Screening Recommendations

Early detection is vital, like for bladder cancer. Regular check-ups and screenings can catch problems early. If you have risk factors, like smoking or a family history of cacancerou might need more tests. It’s key to talk to your doctor about your and your family’s health to figure out the best screening plan.

Conclusion

Hematuria is when blood shows up in your urine. It can happen for many reasons, like infections or kidney stones. Sometimes, it’s a sign of something serious like cancer.

We talked about the types of hematuria, its signs, how doctors find it, and how to treat it. If you see blood in your urine, you should see a doctor right away. Early treatment can make a big difference.

If you’re dealing with hematuria, make an appointment to get help. Our team is ready to provide top-notch care for patients from around the world.

Knowing about hematuria and its effects is key to staying healthy. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments, you can act fast to get better. This helps improve your health and well-being.

FAQ

References

Government Health Resource. (2025). What Is Hematuria? Understanding Blood iUrin ein. Hematuria. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/hematuria-blood-urine