Dr. Judith Bildau

ADP - What does the colour of urine mean and what does it indicate?

What does the colour of urine indicate?

In rarer cases, blood in the urine can signal more serious conditions, such as:

- Blockage of the kidney’s blood vessels.
- Endometriosis of the bladder – a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in the bladder or bladder wall, causing bleeding during menstruation.
- Kidney tuberculosis.
- Liver diseases that cause blood clotting disorders.

Blood in the urine should never be ignored. Consult a doctor to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment.


What else can blood in urine indicate?

The colour of your urine __can be a sign of an illness__. If you notice any of the following colour changes, you should consult a doctor:

- __Red__ – this colour is not uncommon and is a symptom of a [bladder or kidney infection](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/health-and-wellbeing/bladder-infection-symptoms/). In rare cases, it may indicate a malignant disease, such as cancer of the urinary or genital tract.
- __Brown__ – This colour of urine can occur in people with kidney disease or porphyria, which is characterised by disorders in the normal processing of haemoglobin in the blood.
- __Orange__ – This may indicate liver disease or a problem with the bile ducts.

__Blue urine__ is very rare. It can occur in people with __hypercalcaemia__, a condition in which there is __an excessive amount of calcium__ in the blood. If you notice blue urine, you should see a doctor immediately.

- __Sudden changes in urine colour are not always a cause for concern__. Often, they are the result of __eating certain foods__ that can discolour the urine:
- __Red__ – this colour can be caused by beetroot, blackberries, or beetroot leaves, which contain betanin, a pigment that induces a colour change.
- __Green__ – this colour can be due to asparagus or spinach.
- __Orange__ – this colour can result from the beta-carotene found in carrots and carrot juice.

Other urine colours beyond the usual yellow can be due to the following reasons:

- __Taking laxatives__, which can cause a large amount of fluid to be removed from the body, resulting in orange-coloured urine.
- __Intense physical activity__, such as in competitive sports, which can lead to colourless urine – urine that is too clear and transparent can also __indicate excessive fluid intake__.

Pregnant women, in particular, __should pay attention to the colour of their urine__. While it is completely normal for them to urinate frequently, the colour of their urine should be yellow or pale yellow. __White, green, or red urine, for example, can indicate a bacterial infection that could ultimately lead to premature labour__. Therefore, it is essential to see a gynaecologist immediately if this occurs.

If __the colour of your urine remains red or green for several days without change__, even after eating the foods like beetroot, asparagus, or taking certain medications, you should __consult a doctor__ to be on the safe side. This way, you can find out exactly what is happening in your body.

You should also see a doctor if __red, brown, or orange urine occurs along with other symptoms__. These include, for example, frequent urination in small amounts (even just a few drops at a time), [incontinence](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/bladder-problems/female-bladder-leakage-types-and-treatment), as well as pressure on the urethra and severe pressure in the lower abdomen. These may indicate a bladder infection.

Read more about incontinence.

If you are experiencing bladder leaks, you can use different products for protection. You can choose between sensitive bladder liners, pads, or pants depending on your preference and absorbency needs. 


What does the colour of urine mean?

ADP - Unusual urine odour – what does it indicate?

Advice from our Experts

Do you think your urine smells unusual? Find out what is causing the unusual odour of your urine.

Unusual urine odour – what does it indicate?

Is blood in the urine harmless?

There are many possible causes of blood in the urine. To obtain an accurate diagnosis, you should always consult your doctor. Some of the most common reasons for hematuria include:

- __Urinary tract infections (bladder inflammation)__ – usually caused by bacteria and often accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating and frequent urges to urinate.
- __Kidney stones__ – in addition to blood in the urine, they often cause severe back or flank pain.
- __Trauma to the urinary tract__ – injuries from falls or accidents can also lead to hematuria.
- __Intense physical exertion__ – excessive exercise or overexertion can temporarily cause blood in the urine.
- __Bladder or kidney tumors__ – malignant tumors in these organs can also trigger bleeding.
- __Vaginal bleeding__ – this can affect urine test results.

[Here you can find information about nighttime urinary incontinence.](/en-gb/discreet/incontinence-advice/urinary-incontinence-in-women/how-to-reduce-urinating-at-night)


What are the most common causes of blood in the urine?

Urine with a strong or unpleasant smell, could indicate a bladder infection. Even if you do not have any other symptoms, it is worth having a quick urine check with your doctor before the infection gets worse.

Read more about frequent urination.

You should see a doctor if an unusual urine odour persists for several days and is associated with other symptoms such as abdominal pain or blood in the urine. If you are unsure whether the urine is actually bloody or if the blood is coming from the vagina, incontinence liners can help provide clarity.


What should you do if you have strong smelling urine?

In general, urine has a characteristic, slightly acidic odour that is more intense when using the toilet for the first time in the morning — this is due to the higher concentration of urine after a night's sleep.

If you notice that the odour of your urine has changed, don't panic. It often isn’t a symptom of an illness. Instead, it could be connected with your diet. It is advisable to see a specialist if your urine has an unusual smell accompanied by symptoms such as incontinence, as this may indicate bladder inflammation.

Find out more about home remedies for overactive bladder.

The odour of urine can be influenced by various factors, including:

- How much water you have drunk during the day,
- The type of food and drinks consumed,
- Certain medications intake.

Other factors include pregnancy and related hormonal changes. The vaginal flora changes during pregnancy, which can cause strong smelling urine, as well as vaginal odour. However, if the urine starts to smell unpleasantly, you should see a gynaecologist.


What affects urine odour?

How can blood in the urine be detected?

Specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Scientific Advisor

If you notice red urine, don’t panic. In many cases the red color is not related to any disease, as it can result from eating beetroot or taking certain medications.


ADP - Blood in the urine (hematuria) – symptoms and causes

Blood in the urine (hematuria) – symptoms and causes

Urine is __produced during the filtration of blood by the kidneys__. During this process, all substances necessary for the body return to the bloodstream, while the excess substances are __excreted in the urine through the urethra__. 

Urine __consists of__: 

- __Water__, which makes up about 96% of its content;
- __Nitrogenous metabolic products__, including urea, ammonia, and uric acid – 2.5%;
- __Mineral salts__, such as chlorides, phosphates, and carbonates – 1.5%;
- Small amounts of __substances that affect the smell and colour of urine__, including bile pigments.

A healthy person should pass between 600 and 2,500 ml of urine approximately six times a day. __The colour of urine is determined by the content of various components__, such as urobilinogen or bilirubin.

What affects urine colour?

Blood in urine, medically known as hematuria, can indicate various health problems. It usually appears as a red, pink, or brownish discoloration of the urine, caused by an increased number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the urine. There are two types of hematuria:

- __Macroscopic hematuria__ – Blood in the urine is visible to the naked eye.
- __Microscopic hematuria__ – The urine appears normal, but red blood cells can be detected under a microscope.


What does blood in the urine mean?

ADP - How to stop frequent urination at night

How to stop frequent urination at night

ADP - 7 Natural Remedies for an Overactive Bladder

7 Natural Remedies for an Overactive Bladder

Are you worried about blood in your urine? Find out what red blood cells in urine might indicate.

Blood in the urine – Symptoms and Causes

Why does urine have an odour?

If the __colour of your urine changes__, it may indicate a medical condition that should be investigated.
![Urine colour](//images.ctfassets.net/aqfuj2z95p5p/6YtTW4tjK5SJgcnipu0ZlU/d66eb4b186a516c57b1ff6ce95443d4c/Picture1.png)

Urine colour

Articles reviewed

ADP - My First Day Wearing Adult Incontinence Pants

My First Day Wearing Adult Incontinence Pants

Do you want to know what the colour of your urine means? Find out what the colour red or orange means.

To determine the source of blood in the urine, it is advised to consult a doctor and carry out further investigations. In women, it should be noted that the presence of red blood cells may also be linked to menstruation. Urine tests should not be done during, immediately before, or right after menstruation, as menstrual blood can affect the results. Regardless of the case, it is important to provide a midstream urine sample. This means that the first few drops of urine should be passed into the toilet, and the urine from the middle (even near the end) of the stream should be collected in a container.

For individuals with urinary incontinence, it is advisable to choose pads that provide effective protection while allowing comfortable participation in daily activities.

[Learn more about Always Discreet.](/en-gb/discreet/the-purpose-of-always-discreet/) Feel confident with urinary incontinence.


 Advice & Support - AS02 - Health & Wellbeing Advice

Health & Wellbeing Advice

__Light yellow__ or __yellow__ urine corresponds to the normal colour.

There may be __slight differences in shade__, but these __do not indicate any pathological changes__. These may occur due to the following reasons:

- __proper hydration__ – very pale (almost white) urine indicates a lot of water intake, while dark yellow urine may suggest that you need to drink more fluids.
- __an excess of certain substances in the body__ – if your urine is bright yellow, it is often due to a high intake of B vitamins, including B12. The following applies here: There is no reason to worry!

What colour is normal urine? Yellow or light yellow is the right colour

Dr. Judith Bildau - Discreet

Article reviewed by

All of us should observe the colour of our urine, as it is an important indicator of the state of health of our body. The colour of urine can vary, and any change of it may hint that something is wrong. Find out what red, brown, or yellow urine indicates.

Blood in urine can initially seem alarming, but in many cases the causes are harmless. Nevertheless, it is important to consult a doctor to exclude more serious conditions and to receive the appropriate treatment. In this article, you will learn what blood in the urine can indicate, its possible causes and symptoms, and what treatment options are available.


 Advice & Support - AS03 - Health & Wellbeing Advice

Urine should have a subtle, almost unnoticeable smell, but abnormalities can occur, resulting in a stronger odour. Should this be a cause for concern? Find out about it in this article.


If you notice an unusual odour when urinating, it may be related to the food consumed containing substances that change the smell of urine. This is often the case with asparagus.

You may also experience strong smelling urine after excessive alcohol or coffee consumption.

Certain medications can affect the colour and odour of urine. Changes in odour can also be a result of taking vitamins, particularly B vitamins.

Sometimes, urine can smell like ammonia. Why is that? This is often due to insufficient fluid intake, which leads to an excess of ammonia in the urine. In such cases, you should just drink more water.


Urine smells differently — what does that mean?

Dr Rhiannon Bray

ADP - Urge incontinence & frequent urination in women: causes and treatments

Urge incontinence & frequent urination in women: causes and treatments

What does the colour of urine mean and what does it indicate?

ADP - What does the colour of urine indicate?

# Dr. Judith Bildau
Specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Scientific Advisor

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