Seeing blood in your urine can be alarming. Even if you don’t have pain or other symptoms, it’s natural to wonder whether something serious is happening.
Blood in the urine (hematuria) doesn’t always signal a medical emergency. However, you should never ignore it. Some causes are relatively minor, but others require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
In this blog, our experts at Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley, California, cover what blood in your urine could mean and when it’s a medical emergency.
Sometimes, blood is easy to see. Your urine may appear pink, red, or cola-colored. That’s known as gross hematuria.
In other cases, such as microscopic hematuria, blood is visible only under a microscope during a routine urine test.
Whether you can see the blood or not, an evaluation with our experts is the only way to understand what’s really going on. That’s why we recommend regular screenings so no sign goes undetected.
Many conditions can lead to hematuria. Some are temporary and easily treated; others require more extensive evaluation.
Common causes include:
Blood in the urine may be an early sign of bladder, kidney, or urinary tract cancer — yet another reason not to delay evaluation.
Contact our team anytime you notice blood in your urine, even if it only happens once or disappears quickly.
You should also schedule an appointment if you have blood in your urine along with:
We can determine the cause of the bleeding and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Many cases don’t require an emergency room visit, but some situations do. Seek immediate medical care if you have blood in your urine along with:
These symptoms may indicate a serious infection, urinary obstruction, significant bleeding, or another condition that requires immediate treatment.
Your evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you take. Depending on your situation, we may recommend:
These tests help identify the source of the bleeding and guide the next steps in your care.
Even if blood in your urine disappears after a day or two, we still recommend an evaluation. Some serious conditions cause intermittent bleeding, meaning symptoms come and go.
Early diagnosis often leads to more treatment options and better outcomes, especially if the cause is a urinary tract cancer or another progressive condition.
If you notice blood in your urine, don’t wait to see if it happens again. Call our friendly staff at 510-255-0013 or request an appointment online so we can determine the cause and help you get the care you need.
