What does it mean if I see blood in my urine?

ACS Answer

Blood in the urine occurs when a patient is bleeding in some part of his or her urinary system, and the blood is being flushed out along with the urine. Common causes of blood in the urine include urinary tract infections, an injury to the urinary tract, kidney or bladder stones, a tumor growing in the urinary tract, or defects in blood clotting. 

What to look for

• Red or pink urine   
• Blood in urine   
• Pain when you urinate

What to do

• Drink about 1 quart of water (or other fluids) during each 8-hour period (3 quarts each day), unless your doctor has restricted the amount of fluids you can drink.
• Take medicines as prescribed.

Do not

• Wait longer than 2 hours before trying to urinate

Call the doctor

• When you first notice blood in the urine or discoloration of the urine   
• If you have pain in your lower back, or on the lower sides of back when you urinate   
• If the urine is pink or cloudy or smells foul   
• If your symptoms do not improve after treatment   
• If you have a sudden, urgent need to urinate   
• If you urinate more often than usual   
• If you cannot urinate   
• If you get fever and shaking chills

Related Resources

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this topic with your doctor or health care team.

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