Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir

Passing blood clots in urine can be scary and alarming. It’s called hematuria with gross clotting. This means you see blood in your urine and need to see a doctor right away.

At Liv Hospital, we focus on treating urological issues with care and understanding. Many things can cause this, like infections, stones, or injuries. Knowing why you have blood clots is key to getting the right treatment.

We’ll look at the common reasons for blood clots in urine, what symptoms to watch for, and how to diagnose them. Our aim is to give you the best care with the newest methods and treatments.

Key Takeaways

• Hematuria with gross clotting is a visible sign of blood in the urine.
• Infections, stones, and trauma can cause blood clots in urine.
• Prompt medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.
• Proper diagnosis and treatment can help alleviate symptoms.
• Liv Hospital offers patient-centered care for urological conditions.

Understanding Blood Clots in Urine

It’s important to know why blood clots show up in urine and what it means. Blood in the urine, or hematuria, happens to about 30% of adults at some point. When you see blood clots, your urine might look pink, red, or brown. Sometimes, you can even see the clots.

Blood clots in urine can look like red or brown blobs. They might be stringy or jelly-like. It’s key to spot these clots correctly to figure out why they’re there. Seeing a lot of blood in your urine means there’s a big bleed in your urinary tract.

What Hematuria with Gross Clotting Means

Hematuria with gross clotting means you can see blood clots in your urine. This can happen for many reasons, like infections, stones, or injuries to your urinary tract. Seeing big clots means the bleeding is serious and might need quick medical attention.

• Infections: UTIs can make your urinary tract bleed.
• Stones: Kidney or bladder stones can hurt the lining and cause bleeding.
• Trauma: Injury to your urinary tract can lead to a lot of bleeding.

How to Identify Blood Clots in Your Urine

To spot blood clots in your urine, look at the color, texture, and how often they come out. It’s important to notice any changes in your urine and tell your doctor. Clots can be different colors, like red, brown, or black, depending on how long they’ve been there.

1. Check the color and texture of the clots.
2. See how often you pass clots.
3. Tell your doctor about any pain or trouble peeing.

Knowing about blood clots in urine helps you get medical help fast. This can stop bigger problems and fix health issues early on.

What Causes Small Blood Clots in Urine?

Seeing small blood clots in urine makes us wonder where they come from and what they mean for our health. These clots can be caused by infections, kidney stones, or trauma. Knowing the reasons is key to figuring out what to do next.

Common Triggers for Minor Clotting

Several things can cause minor clotting in urine. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause. Bacteria can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, causing bleeding. Kidney stones can also cause bleeding and clotting by scratching the urinary tract.

Trauma to the urinary tract, from medical procedures or accidents, can lead to small blood clots. Even intense physical activity can sometimes cause minor trauma, leading to clotting.

Differentiating Between Fresh and Old Blood Clots

Telling fresh from old blood clots can give us clues about what’s going on. Fresh clots are usually red or pink, showing active bleeding. Older clots are darker, like brown, which means the bleeding has stopped or is getting better.

Knowing if the clots are fresh or old helps us figure out the cause. Fresh clots might mean recent trauma or infection. Older clots could point to long-term issues.

When Small Clots Signal Bigger Problems

Small blood clots might seem harmless, but they can also warn of bigger health problems. For example, if you keep getting clots, it could mean you have bladder or kidney stones, chronic infections, or tumors.

It’s important to watch for changes in the blood clots, like more or bigger clots, and seek medical help if you have pain, trouble urinating, or fever. Catching and treating problems early can make a big difference.

Urinary Tract Infections and Blood Clotting

Blood clots in urine can signal a urinary tract infection. UTIs are common in women and can cause bleeding. We’ll look at how infections lead to bleeding and symptoms.

How Bacterial Infections Cause Bleeding

Bacteria, like E. coli, cause most UTIs. These infections can irritate and inflame the urinary tract. This irritation can lead to bleeding and damage to the tract’s lining.

The mechanism of bleeding involves several factors:

• Infection and inflammation of the urinary tract lining
• Damage to the blood vessels in the urinary tract
• Increased permeability of the blood vessels, allowing blood to leak into the urine

Symptoms That Accompany UTI-Related Clots

UTI-related blood clots come with other symptoms. These include:

• Pain or burning during urination
• Frequent urination
• Strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine

It’s important to recognize these symptoms. If you see blood clots in your urine, see a doctor. They can help diagnose and treat the issue.

Kidney Stones: A Major Source of Urinary Blood Clots

Kidney stones are a big reason for blood clots in urine. These stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts. They form inside the kidneys and can cause a lot of pain and bleeding when they move.

The Mechanism of Stone-Related Bleeding

Kidney stones can irritate or damage the urinary tract’s lining. This irritation can lead to bleeding. Sometimes, the bleeding is so bad it forms visible clots.

The size of the stone is key in how bad the bleeding will be. Bigger stones can cause more damage and bleeding. Where the stone is in the urinary tract also matters.

Distinguishing Stone-Related Clots from Other Causes

It’s important to tell the difference between blood clots from kidney stones and other causes. Stone-related clots often come with severe pain and urinary tract infections. Knowing the difference helps doctors figure out what’s causing the bleeding.

• Blood clots from kidney stones usually come with intense flank pain.
• Imaging studies can sometimes show the presence of stones.
• Other causes of blood clots might not hurt as much or have different symptoms.

Pain Patterns Associated with Kidney Stone Bleeding

The pain from kidney stones is sharp and cramping. It’s usually in the flank or lower back. This pain can spread to the groin or abdomen as the stone moves.

In summary, kidney stones are a major reason for blood clots in urine. Knowing how they cause bleeding, telling them apart from other causes, and recognizing the pain patterns are key for diagnosis and treatment.

Bladder Conditions Leading to Blood Clots

Blood clots in urine can signal bladder problems that need quick attention. The bladder is key to our urinary system. Issues with it can cause blood in the urine.

Acute and Chronic Bladder Infections

Bladder infections, or cystitis, often cause blood clots in urine. Acute bladder infections bring sudden, severe symptoms, including blood in the urine. These happen when bacteria get into the bladder, causing inflammation and bleeding.

Chronic bladder infections keep coming back, leading to long-term damage and a higher risk of blood clots. Symptoms include painful urination, needing to urinate often, and stomach pain. If not treated, these infections can harm the kidneys.

Interstitial Cystitis and Inflammatory Conditions

Interstitial cystitis is a long-term condition that makes the bladder wall inflamed. This causes pain and discomfort. It can also lead to blood clots in urine due to the irritation and inflammation of the bladder lining.

Understanding what causes interstitial cystitis is key to managing it. While the exact cause is often unknown, factors like bladder lining defects, autoimmune responses, and genetic predisposition may play a role.

Structural Problems in the Bladder

Structural issues in the bladder can also cause blood clots in urine. Bladder stones can irritate and bleed. Bladder tumors, whether benign or malignant, can also cause blood in the urine. Other structural problems, like bladder diverticula, can also lead to blood clots.

Diagnosing these problems usually involves imaging studies and cystoscopy. Treatment depends on the problem and may include surgery or other therapies aimed at fixing the issue.

Gender-Specific Causes of Blood Clots in Urine

Understanding blood clots in urine means looking at health issues for men and women. Some causes are the same for both, but others are unique. This is because of differences in body parts, hormones, and other factors.

Male-Specific Causes

In men, certain health problems can lead to blood clots in urine. These include:

• Enlarged Prostate: An enlarged prostate can irritate the bladder and urethra, causing bleeding.
• Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer can disrupt normal tissue, leading to bleeding in the urine.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate, from infection or other causes, can cause bleeding in the urine.

Female-Specific Causes

In women, different health issues can cause blood clots in urine. These include:

• Menstrual Contamination: Menstrual blood can sometimes be mistaken for urine bleeding, if it clots.
• Endometriosis: Rarely, endometriosis can affect the urinary tract, leading to bleeding.
• Uterine or Ovarian Pathology: Though rare, some conditions in the uterus or ovaries can cause bleeding in the urinary tract.

Healthcare providers must consider these gender-specific causes when dealing with blood clots in urine. A detailed evaluation, including history, physical exam, and tests, is key. This helps find the cause and the right treatment.

Large Blood Clots: Causes and Complications

Seeing large blood clots in your urine can be scary. It often means you have a serious health issue that needs quick attention. We know this symptom worries you a lot. It’s key to look into the possible causes and risks of large blood clots in urine.

Sources of Significant Bleeding in the Urinary Tract

Bleeding in the urinary tract can come from different places. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Issues like kidney stones, infections, bladder problems, and injuries can cause a lot of bleeding. This can lead to big blood clots.

Here are some common reasons for significant bleeding:

• Kidney stones can irritate and harm the urinary tract lining.
• Urinary tract infections can cause inflammation and bleeding.
• Bladder problems like cystitis or cancer can lead to bleeding.
• Damage or injury to the urinary tract can also cause bleeding.

Urinary Obstruction from Blood Clots

Big blood clots can block urine flow, causing urinary retention. This can be very painful and might harm your kidneys if not treated right away.

Getting medical help fast is key if you have blood clots blocking your urine. Doctors might use a catheter to clear the blockage and remove the clot. They’ll also work on fixing the bleeding’s cause.

If you have severe pain, can’t pee, or see big blood clots in your urine, get help right away. Quick action can stop serious problems and help you feel better.

Serious Medical Conditions Behind Urinary Blood Clots

Many serious health issues, like cancers and kidney diseases, can show up as blood clots in urine. It’s key to spot these problems early for the right treatment. We’ll look at the serious health problems that can lead to blood clots in urine.

Cancer of the Urinary Tract

Cancers in the urinary tract, like bladder cancer and kidney cancer, can cause bleeding. This bleeding can lead to blood clots in the urine. If you keep seeing blood clots in your urine, get checked by a doctor to check for cancer.

Kidney Disease and Blood Disorders

Kidney diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis, can also cause blood clots in urine. These diseases mess with the kidney’s filtering, leading to bleeding. Blood disorders like hemophilia and sickle cell disease can also make bleeding in the urinary tract more likely.

Medication Side Effects

Some medicines can cause bleeding in the urine as a side effect. Anticoagulants can make bleeding more likely, and some chemotherapy drugs can irritate the bladder, causing bleeding. If you’re taking meds and see blood clots in your urine, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of your treatment.

Knowing about the serious health issues that can cause blood clots in urine is important for getting the right care. If you see blood clots in your urine, see a doctor for a full check-up and diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation

When blood clots show up in urine, a detailed medical check is key to find the cause. This includes several steps from the first check to special tests. It’s all about finding out what’s behind the problem.

Initial Assessment and Physical Examination

The first step is a deep dive into the patient’s medical history and a physical check. We look at symptoms, past health, and lifestyle to spot possible reasons. This helps us decide what tests to run next.

During the physical exam, we search for signs like belly tenderness or lumps. These signs help us figure out what to do next.

Laboratory Tests for Urinary Blood Clots

Labs are vital in figuring out why there are blood clots in urine. We start with a urinalysis to check for blood, infection, or other issues. We might also do a urine culture and sensitivity test to find bacteria.

Blood tests are also important. They check kidney health, look for infection or inflammation, and spot other possible problems. Together with the patient’s history and physical exam, these tests help us narrow down the cause.

Imaging Studies and Specialized Procedures

Imaging tests are needed to see the urinary tract and find any problems. Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI can spot kidney stones, tumors, or other issues that might be causing the clots.

At times, we might do a cystoscopy. This involves using a scope to look inside the bladder. It helps find bladder problems, stones, or other issues that could be causing the bleeding.

By combining the findings from these tests and procedures, we can pinpoint the cause of the blood clots. Then, we can create a treatment plan that fits the patient’s needs.

Conclusion: When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

If you notice blood clots in your urine, knowing when to get help is key. Severe pain, trouble urinating, or big blood clots mean you need to act fast. We’ve talked about why this happens, like infections, stones, and bladder issues.

Spotting these signs early and getting medical help can stop bigger problems. If you’re not sure about your symptoms or have worries, see a doctor. They can check you out and figure out the best treatment.

Getting medical help right away is important. It helps find and treat the cause of the blood clots in your urine. Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly keeps you safe. It also helps you get the right care for your condition.

FAQ

References

Government Health Resource. (2025). Why Am I Passing Blood Clots in Urine. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/hematuria-blood-urine>