What Is Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)? Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Created: 24.07.2026  ·  Last Updated: 24.07.2026  ·  Category: Urology  ·  Prepared by the Academic Hospital Web and Medical Editorial Board.

What Is Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)?

Blood in the urine, medically called hematuria, may be visible enough to notice with the naked eye or may be detected only through laboratory tests. This finding may be an important sign of a problem in the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the bladder.

Hematuria is not a disease by itself; it is a symptom of an underlying health problem. Therefore, it should not be ignored and should be evaluated by a specialist physician.

Hematuria is seen in two forms:

  • Gross hematuria: Urine appears pink, red or brown and can be noticed with the naked eye.
  • Microscopic hematuria: It is not visible to the eye; it is detected when red blood cells are found in a urine test.

In both cases, medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause.

Important Information: Blood in the urine may occur due to urinary tract infection, kidney stones, prostate conditions, trauma or kidney diseases. Painless and recurrent hematuria should be evaluated for bladder or kidney tumors.

What Causes Blood in the Urine?

The causes of blood in the urine range from simple and temporary conditions to serious diseases. The most common causes include:

  • Urinary tract infections: Bacterial growth in the urinary tract may irritate tissues and cause bleeding.
  • Kidney stones: Stones may scratch tissues while moving through the urinary tract and cause bleeding.
  • Bladder and kidney tumors: These are among the most important causes of painless and recurrent hematuria.
  • Prostate conditions: Benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis or prostate cancer.
  • Trauma and injuries: Impacts to the kidney area, falls or sports injuries.
  • Excessive and intense exercise: Long-duration and heavy exercise may cause temporary hematuria.
  • Medication use: Blood thinners, certain antibiotics and pain relievers.
  • Glomerular kidney diseases: Diseases affecting the filtering units of the kidney may cause microscopic or gross bleeding.

You can contact us for evaluation of blood in the urine, burning, pain or recurrent color change.

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Which Symptoms Are Warning Signs in Hematuria?

Blood in the urine alone is an important warning sign. However, the following symptoms may point to a more serious condition:

Warning signs:

  • Pink, red or dark color change in the urine
  • Painless bleeding
  • Back, flank or groin pain
  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Fever or chills
  • Clots in the urine
  • Recurrent bleeding

If even one of these symptoms accompanies blood in the urine, evaluation should be performed.

When Should You See a Doctor for Blood in the Urine?

Blood in the urine always requires professional evaluation. A doctor should be consulted without delay especially in the following situations:

  • Blood in the urine for the first time
  • Recurrent bleeding
  • Pain, fever or burning sensation
  • Clots in the urine
  • Long-lasting color change
  • History of kidney stones
  • Hematuria in individuals over the age of 40
  • Family history of kidney disease
  • New prostate-related complaints
  • Hematuria after trauma or impact

Diagnosis and Treatment Process for Blood in the Urine

The main goal in diagnosis is to identify the source of bleeding clearly. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is performed by a specialist physician.

Methods used in diagnosis:

  • Urinalysis (microscopy, culture)
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasonography
  • CT (computed tomography)
  • MR urography
  • Cystoscopy (camera examination of the bladder)

Which tests are performed is determined according to the patient’s symptoms and risk factors.

Treatment:

Treatment is planned according to the underlying cause. Early diagnosis and the correct treatment approach increase treatment success and help prevent possible serious diseases. Therefore, when blood is seen in the urine, specialist evaluation is required.

Do Not Ignore Blood in the Urine

Hematuria may occur due to different causes such as infection, stones, prostate conditions or tumors. Specialist evaluation is important to determine the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blood in the urine always serious?
Hematuria does not always mean a serious disease; however, it may occur due to infection, stones, tumors, prostate conditions or kidney diseases, so medical evaluation is required.
What is the difference between gross and microscopic hematuria?
In gross hematuria, urine appears pink, red or brown and can be seen with the naked eye. Microscopic hematuria is not visible and is detected only when red blood cells are found in a urine test.
When should I see a doctor for blood in the urine?
A doctor should be consulted without delay if blood in the urine occurs for the first time, recurs, is accompanied by pain, fever, burning, clots or trauma, or occurs in a person over the age of 40.
Which tests are used to diagnose hematuria?
Urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests, ultrasound, computed tomography, MR urography and cystoscopy may be used depending on the patient’s symptoms and risk factors.
Academic Hospital note: Hematuria evaluation should consider whether bleeding is visible, whether it recurs, pain or infection signs, stone history, prostate complaints, age and family history together. You can book an appointment for evaluation.

References

  1. NIDDK. Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
  2. Mayo Clinic. Blood in urine (hematuria) - Symptoms and causes
  3. Mayo Clinic. Blood in urine (hematuria) - Diagnosis and treatment
  4. American Urological Association. Microhematuria: AUA/SUFU Guideline (2020, Amended 2025)