What Would Cause Bleeding After Urination?

Blood that is present in the urine (hematuria), may be a sign of a serious medical condition. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have bleeding after urination.

Identification

• Blood in the urine may be so slight, it is not visible to the eye without a microscope. This is called microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria occurs when there is enough blood in the urine to be seen by the naked eye.

Discoloration

• Urine may become discolored with the use of certain medications. Some medications, such as over-the-counter medications for the urinary tract, may stain urine. Some foods, such as beets, may also stain the urine. These things may give the appearance of blood in the urine, though there is actually none present.

Kidney Disorders

• Certain kidney disorders may cause blood in the urine. These may include kidney cancer, bladder cancer, kidney failure, bladder infection, injury to the bladder or kidneys, or polycystic kidney disease. One common cause of bloody urine in children is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. This is a kidney disorder that can happen after a child suffers a bout of strep throat.

Blood Disorders

• Blood in the urine may occur with certain blood disorders. These may include hemophilia, a blood clot in the kidneys, low platelet count and sickle cell disease. Blood-thinning medications such as warfarin may also cause bloody urine.

Considerations

• Blood in the urine may be serious and should be treated by a doctor. Consult your doctor immediately if you also experience weight loss, fever, nausea, blood clots in urine, pain in the abdomen, pain in the side, pain in the back or are unable to urinate.