Hematuria: Causes & Symptoms

Often there are no symptoms when blood is found in the urine. If it is related to a urinary infection, it may burn when you urinate. If it is due to a kidney or ureteral stone, you may have flank or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. If it is related to a large prostate, there may be a slow stream, urinary urgency, and urinary frequency. Blood can come from any of the organs of the urinary system – the kidneys, ureters (tubes that lead from kidney to bladder), the bladder, the prostate (which has ducts leading into the urethra), or the urethra itself.

There are many things that can cause hematuria; below are some of the more common findings:

• Kidney, ureteral, or bladder stones
• Viral or bacterial urinary infections
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Benign or cancerous tumors of the kidneys, ureters, or bladder
• Trauma involving one or more of the organs of the urinary system
• Medications, especially blood thinners or aspirin-like compounds
• Kidney diseases
• Certain medical diseases, such as Sickle Cell trait or disease, and Lupus
• Long-distance running (resulting in irritation of the lining of the bladder)
• Prior pelvic radiation, or prior chemotherapy with selected drugs
• Smoking, which leads to a higher risk of developing kidney or bladder cancer