Yes, UTIs can definitely cause blood in the urine, and it’s actually more common than many people realize. In my practice, I see this symptom in about 30-40% of UTI patients, though the amount of blood can vary significantly.
Blood in urine (called hematuria) occurs because the bacterial infection irritates and inflames the bladder lining and urethral tissues. This inflammation can cause small blood vessels to leak, mixing blood with your urine.
You might notice blood in your urine in different ways:
- Visible blood makes urine appear pink, red, or rust-coloredÂ
- Microscopic blood isn’t visible to the naked eye but shows up on urine testsÂ
- Clots occasionally appear in severe casesÂ
The amount of blood doesn’t necessarily indicate infection severity. Some people with mild UTIs have visible blood, while others with more serious infections show only microscopic amounts.
Blood in urine combined with other UTI symptoms like burning during urination, frequency, urgency, and pelvic pressure can strongly suggest a urinary tract infection.
However, blood in urine can also indicate other serious conditions:
- Kidney stonesÂ
- Kidney diseaseÂ
- Bladder or kidney cancerÂ
- Enlarged prostate in menÂ
- Certain medicationsÂ
When to seek immediate medical attention:
- Large amounts of blood or clots in urineÂ
- Blood in urine without other UTI symptomsÂ
- Severe pain, especially in your back or sidesÂ
- Fever with bloody urineÂ
- Inability to urinate despite feeling the urgeÂ
Most UTI-related blood in urine generally resolves within 24-48 hours of starting appropriate antibiotic treatment. If blood persists after completing antibiotics, further evaluation is needed to rule out other causes.
If you’re seeing blood in your urine along with UTI symptoms, ChatRx can help determine if this represents a straightforward UTI requiring antibiotics or if you need a more urgent medical evaluation.
