What Does Blood in the Urine Mean?

Seeing blood in your urine can be alarming—but what does it actually mean? In medical terms, this is called hematuria, and it can range from harmless to serious, depending on the cause. Sometimes the blood is visible to the eye (called gross hematuria), and at other times it can only be seen under a microscope (microscopic hematuria) during a urine test.

There are many possible reasons for blood to appear in your urine. One of the most common is a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially in women. Infections irritate the lining of the bladder or urethra and can cause bleeding. Another frequent cause is kidney or bladder stones, which may scratch the inner walls of the urinary tract as they move, leading to visible bleeding or microscopic traces of blood.

In men, enlarged prostate can press on the urethra and lead to blood in the urine. In both men and women, more serious conditions like bladder cancer, kidney cancer, or even ureteric tumors may present with blood in the urine as an early sign. This is why it is never safe to ignore—even if it happens only once and does not hurt.

Some people may also see blood in their urine after intense exercise, injury, or due to certain medications, such as blood thinners. However, a single episode of hematuria should always be investigated, especially if you are over 40, have a history of smoking, or have other urinary symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, or pain.

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