Passing blood clots when urinating is known as hematuria. This condition can be caused by various factors. Sometimes, only a little blood comes out without any symptoms. However, in some conditions, bloody urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or even kidney stones.
Causes of blood clots when urinating
The following are the causes of blood clots when urinating that you need to be aware of:
1. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by bacteria that appear in the channel where urine comes out. This condition can trigger various symptoms, one of which is bloody urine. Apart from that, urine will usually have a strong smell and there will be pain and burning when urinating.
2. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
Kidney infection is a disease caused by bacterial infections that enter the kidneys through the blood vessels in the lower urinary tract. Passing blood clots when urinating could be one of the symptoms of pyelonephritis that you need to watch out for. Apart from that, fever and back and groin pain can also be symptoms of this disease.
3. Kidney stones
Not drinking enough and frequently holding in urine can cause kidney stones. One of the symptoms is the release of blood clots when urinating.
Kidney stones often do not cause pain. However, if there is a blockage or it will exit the body through urine, then severe pain can appear. Blood in the urine can also be clearly seen when urinating.
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3. Enlargement of the prostate gland
Enlarged prostate is one of the causes of bloody urine in men. This condition can occur when the prostate gland under the bladder becomes larger, especially when entering middle age.
This swelling can put pressure on the urethra, thereby partially blocking the exit route for urine. As a result, you may experience difficulty urinating, a sudden urge to continue urinating, and even bleeding when urinating.
5. Consuming drugs
Some types of medication that can cause blood to pass out when urinating include:
- The anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide
- Antibiotic penicillin
- Aspirin pain reliever
- Medicines that thin the blood, such as heparin
6. Injuries due to sports
Bladder injuries can occur when you play sports that require heavy physical contact, such as football. This can cause the urine that comes out to contain blood clots.
However, you don’t need to worry because usually this condition is not permanent and can disappear on its own within a week.
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7. Cancer
Discharge of blood clots when urinating that can be clearly seen can be a sign of kidney cancer, bladder cancer, or even advanced prostate cancer. However, the symptoms of this cancer may not cause symptoms at first, especially in sufferers whose treatment is working well.
How to treat blood clots in urine
Treatment for bloody urine depends on the cause. Some of the treatments you may receive are:
- Antibiotic medication to clear bacteria that cause infections in the urinary tract
- Medication or surgical procedures to treat an enlarged prostate
- Surgery and medical procedures to treat kidney stones
Immediately consult a doctor even if you only see a little blood coming out when urinating or blood comes out without any painful symptoms.
In addition, you should immediately visit a doctor if you experience the following symptoms along with blood in your urine:
- Pain when urinating
- Fever
- Experience weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Weak body
- Stomach ache
Getting treatment early can help overcome the causes of bloody urine more quickly, so that more serious complications can be avoided.
