Article on this
What to Know and Do When Blood Clots Appear in the Urine
When blood clots appear in the urine, it could be nothing but could also indicate life-threatening issues. Curious? Worried? We get all the answers!
Seeing blood clots in the urine may be frightening, but it is a common problem. Often, when there are many red blood cells in the urine the urine color turns red, pink, or brownish, and this may considered hematuria, a medical term for blood in the urine. However, sometimes there are too little red blood cells in the urine, which cannot be seen by the naked eye. The presence of blood cells in the urine may be detected incidentally on a routine urine test using a microscope, and this is medically known as microscopic hematuria.
Hematuria occurs in up to 10% of the population, but only a few (about 3%) will see frank or gross hematuria, which refers to having a large amount of blood in the urine. Seeing blood clots in urine is more common among women than in men and it may or may not be accompanied by pain.
Causes of Blood Clots in Urine
Before discussing the possible causes of hematuria, it is worthwhile to note that the urine may sometimes turn pink, red, or brown for reasons other than bleeding in the urinary tract. This means that in spite of the color, no blood may be found in the urine, and the change in color may be due to:
Eating large amounts of dark colored foods like beets, rhubarb and berries
Consuming food or drinks containing food colorings
Using medications which can affect urine color, such as phenazopyridine
Having liver disease which can cause discolored urine
Sometimes, menstrual blood may be found in the urine, as well as blood clots from vaginal bleeding, but these are not considered hematuria, since the origin of the blood is not the urinary tract.
Bleeding in the urinary tract can come from any part of this system, from the kidneys to the ureters, urinary bladder, and the urethra. The urine, which is formed in the kidneys, carries with it the red blood cells as it passes along any of these structures. Real hematuria may be caused by many factors, including:
Urinary tract infection (most common cause in people younger than 40 years old)
Kidney stones
Injury to any part of the urinary tract and/or the genitals
Cancer in any part of the urinary tract (bladder or kidneys) - more common among people older than 40 years
Cancer of the prostate - common in older males
Any condition that causes blockage, stricture, or compression of the urinary tract
Kidney disease
Disorder in blood clotting
Non-cancerous tumor or enlargement of the prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia - also common in older males
Chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension)
Viral infections
Certain medications which can cause bleeding, including antibiotics like rifampin, analgesics like aspirin, blood thinners or anticoagulants like warfarin, anticonvulsants like phenytoin, and quinine
Any factor that causes kidney inflammation (usually unknown cause)
Strenuous exercise can cause a breakdown of muscle proteins which is manifested as blood in the urine (common among athletes)
Because there are many possible causes of blood in urine, one is advised to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis especially when accompanied by other symptoms.