Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 599.71      ICD10: R31.9      ICD11: MF50.4

Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine.
It's a sign that something is causing bleeding in your urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

There are two types of hematuria:

Gross hematuria: You can see the blood in your urine. It may appear pink, red, or cola-colored.
Microscopic hematuria: The blood is not visible to the naked eye and is only detected during a urine test under a microscope.

Causes of Hematuria:

Hematuria can be caused by a wide range of conditions, from relatively harmless to serious:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These are a common cause, especially in women.
Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis): Infections of the kidneys can cause hematuria.
Kidney Stones or Bladder Stones: These can irritate and damage the urinary tract lining, causing bleeding.
Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - BPH): Common in older men, an enlarged prostate can compress the urethra and cause bleeding.
Kidney Disease: Some kidney diseases, like glomerulonephritis, can cause hematuria.
Cancer: Cancer of the bladder, kidney, or prostate can cause blood in the urine.
Medications: Certain medications, such as blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) and some antibiotics, can increase the risk of hematuria.
Strenuous Exercise: In rare cases, intense physical activity can lead to hematuria. This is sometimes called "exercise-induced hematuria."
Trauma: Injury to the kidneys or urinary tract can cause bleeding.
Inherited Disorders: Conditions like sickle cell anemia and Alport syndrome can cause hematuria.
Idiopathic Hematuria: Sometimes, no cause can be found for the hematuria.

When to See a Doctor:

It's essential to see a doctor if you notice blood in your urine, even if it only happens once. While some causes are harmless, others can be serious and require prompt diagnosis and treatment.

What to Expect at the Doctor:

Your doctor will likely:

Ask about your medical history and symptoms.
Perform a physical exam.
Order a urine test to confirm the presence of blood and look for other abnormalities.
May order blood tests to assess kidney function.
May order imaging tests, such as a CT scan, ultrasound, or cystoscopy (a procedure where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the bladder to visualize the lining).

In summary, hematuria is a sign that needs medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.