I have a uti and im bleeding

Blood in urine (pee) is not usually caused by anything serious, but you must get it checked out by a GP.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You have blood in your pee, even if:

  • you do not have any other symptoms
  • it's the first time it's happened
  • there's only a small amount of blood
  • you're not sure it's blood

Blood in your pee may be bright pink, red or dark brown.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Important: Cancer risk

Blood in pee must be checked out because it can be a sign of cancer. This is easier to treat if it's found early.

What happens at your appointment

If you have blood in your pee, a GP will ask about your symptoms and may need to check inside your bottom (rectal examination), and your vagina if you're a woman.

They might also:

  • ask for a pee sample or arrange a blood test
  • prescribe antibiotics if they think you have an infection
  • refer you to a specialist for tests

Causes of blood in urine

Blood in your pee could come from anywhere in the urinary tract – the bladder, kidneys or urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body).

If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you think it's blood in your pee.

Possible causes of blood in urine.Other symptomsPossible causeBurning pain when peeing, need to pee often, smelly or cloudy pee, high temperature, pain in sides or lower backUrinary tract infection (UTI)Bad pain in sides, lower back or groin that comes and goes, unable to lie still, feeling sickKidney stonesOlder men (common in over-50s) finding it difficult to pee, needing to pee suddenly and often, waking up to pee in middle of the nightEnlarged prostate

Seeing blood in your urine can be alarming. While in many instances the cause is harmless, blood in urine (hematuria) can indicate a serious disorder.

Blood that you can see is called gross hematuria. Urinary blood that's visible only under a microscope (microscopic hematuria) is found when your doctor tests your urine. Either way, it's important to determine the reason for the bleeding.

Treatment depends on the cause.

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Symptoms

Gross hematuria produces pink, red or cola-colored urine due to the presence of red blood cells. It takes little blood to produce red urine, and the bleeding usually isn't painful. Passing blood clots in your urine, however, can be painful.

Bloody urine often occurs without other signs or symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment to see your doctor anytime you notice blood in your urine.

Some medications, such as the laxative Ex-lax, and certain foods, including beets, rhubarb and berries, can cause your urine to turn red. A change in urine color caused by drugs, food or exercise might go away within a few days.

Bloody urine looks different, but you might not be able to tell the difference. It's best to see your doctor anytime you see red-colored urine.

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The urinary tract is composed of the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. Urinary tract infection (or UTI) refers to infection in the upper portion (kidneys and ureters) or lower (bladder and urethra) portions of the urinary tract.

UTIs are the most common type of bacterial infections seen in a medical office. They are more common in women than in men: About 12% of women will have a UTI every year, and in fact most women will have at least one UTI over the course of their life.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

I have a uti and im bleeding
UTIs start with bacteria which normally reside in the vagina or in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria can make their way to the urethra—the opening where urine comes out—and then climb up into the bladder, causing infection.

The #1 risk factor for UTI is sexual activity. UTI is not a sexually transmitted disease, but the rubbing and friction which occur during sexual activity help the bacteria in the vagina or anus to make their way to the urethra. From there, it’s just a short climb up to the bladder.

Rarely, children can have abnormalities in the structure of their urinary tract which can make them more susceptible to UTIs. In some children, for example, reflux of urine from the bladder up into the ureters can cause UTIs.

UTIs are the most common type of bacterial infections seen in a medical office and they are more common in women than in men.

What are the Symptoms of UTI?

Most UTIs occur in the lower urinary tract, i.e., the bladder and the urethra. These UTIs are commonly called “cystitis” or “urethritis.” The most frequent symptoms of UTI are:

  • Burning with urination
  • Urinary frequency and urgency
  • Pain in the lower abdomen

With some forms of UTI, blood may be seen after urinating and wiping. This may be just some pink staining when wiping after urination or you may see a toilet bowl that looks like it’s full of blood.

Women with upper UTIs occasionally have burning with urination, urgency, and frequency, but systemic (“whole-body”) symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting are more common. Women often have back or flank pain, high fever, and shaking chills. Women with upper tract infections feel truly ill.

Are There Other Conditions That May Seem Like a UTI?

We encourage women with urinary symptoms to be seen in the office to confirm the diagnosis. Urinary infections are sometimes mistaken for other conditions and vice-versa. Conditions that cause similar conditions include:

  • Vaginal infections are usually characterized by discharge, irritation, itching, and/or odor, but burning on urination is occasionally the only symptom.
  • Genital herpes can cause burning with urination.
  • Ovarian cysts can cause lower abdominal pain.
  • Bladder stones can sometimes cause blood in the urine.

With the exception of women who have already had numerous culture-proven UTIs, women who have symptoms suggesting a UTI should be seen in the office to rule out other causes for their symptoms.

How are UTIs Treated?

UTIs are generally treated with a short course of oral antibiotics. Most cases will resolve with 3 to 7 days of a first-line antibiotic. Most patients will feel better after a day or two of antibiotics, but it is important to complete the entire prescribed course of antibiotics to make sure the infection is completely cleared. Occasionally, infection with resistant bacteria may require retreatment with a different type of antibiotic.

If you have been diagnosed with a UTI, it’s generally a good idea to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the bacteria. Grape juice or cranberry juice may assist in clearing the bacteria by acidifying the urine.

How Do I Prevent UTIs?

Among healthy young women who have their first UTI, 25% will have a recurrence within 6 months. In some cases this represents relapse of the same infection, while other cases are new infections. Women in either case are generally retreated with good results.

Women who have a long history of recurrent UTIs can be offered prophylaxis: In this case, antibiotics are used to prevent UTIs, rather than waiting for them to occur. Several regimens have been used successfully. Since UTIs are commonly related to sexual activity, one very effective regimen involves taking a single dose of antibiotic with every sexual encounter. Other regimens, including daily doses of antibiotics, are occasionally necessary.

Women who have a long history of recurrent UTIs can be offered prophylaxis: In this case, antibiotics are used to prevent UTIs, rather than waiting for them to occur.

Urinary hygiene advice is customarily offered to women who suffer from UTIs. Women are advised to wipe from front to back; to urinate after intercourse; to drink plenty of fluids; and to make sure they void when they feel the urge. In truth, there is very little scientific evidence to suggest that these measures are effective, but these recommendations are still recommended as healthy low-risk practices.

At the Woman’s Health Pavilion, we offer urgent appointments to women with acute symptoms—including UTI symptoms. If you currently think you have a UTI, you should call today for an appointment.


May We Help You?

Would you like to find out more about our treatments and services? Are you looking for a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment recommendation you received at another practice? The experienced team at The Woman’s Health Pavilion is happy to help. Just let us know how and when you would like to hear from us.

Is it normal to bleed if I have a UTI?

It's “normal for a UTI to cause bloody urine. It happens because the infection-causing bacteria in your urinary tract cause inflammation and irritation to your cells there. Your urine may look pink, red, or cola-colored. If you have bleeding from a UTI, or if you have other UTI symptoms, see your doctor.

Can a UTI cause bleeding like a period?

Some people develop chronic UTI, which is an ongoing infection or frequently recurring infections. Along with the symptoms of acute UTI, chronic UTIs can cause spotting or blood in your urine. Severe UTIs can spread to your kidneys.

How much bleeding is normal with UTI?

With some forms of UTI, blood may be seen after urinating and wiping. This may be just some pink staining when wiping after urination or you may see a toilet bowl that looks like it's full of blood.

Can a UTI cause vaginal bleeding?

Abnormal bleeding may have other causes, such as: Infection of the vagina or uterus. Urinary tract infection (UTI)