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Blood in your pee can be frightening, but it isn’t usually a sign of anything serious. However, it does need to be investigated by your doctor as you may require treatment.

Finding Blood in Your Urine

Sometimes blood in urine is very obvious and appears bright red, but you might only notice a change in the colour of your urine. Blood could make your pee look reddish brown. Similar colour changes can happen if you’ve been eating a lot of beetroot or if you’re taking certain antibiotics. The blood could also be coming from your vagina, if you are a woman, or your rectum.

What Does Blood in Urine Mean?

If there is blood in your urine, it could have several different causes. You might have an infection in your bladder or kidney, a bladder or urinary tract infection, or a sexually transmitted infection affecting your urethra. If you are a man, you might have an enlarged prostate. Blood in urine can also be a sign of certain kinds of cancer, such as bladder and kidney cancer, although this is the least likely explanation.

When you see a doctor about blood in your urine, you will be asked about any other symptoms you’ve been experiencing. The doctor will usually need to perform a physical exam, which could include checking your vagina or rectum. Samples of your blood and urine may also be taken to check for signs of infection. Often your GP will be able to diagnose an infection and prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. However, if there seems to be another cause, you may need to see a specialist. You might have additional tests such as an ultrasound or a cytoscopy. If a more serious problem such as cancer is discovered, you will need treatment as soon as possible. It is therefore vital to go to your doctor right away if you think there is blood in your urine.