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What Causes Blood Clots in Urine?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

The presence of blood clots in urine, a condition known as hematuria, can indicate a variety of conditions, and patients are advised to see a medical professional to get an official diagnosis and treatment. Kidney stones can cause blood clots to appear in the urine, for example, though stones in the bladder can do the same. Urinary tract issues, such as a urinary tract infection, may also cause this symptom. In some cases, the cause is not a disease but inflammation resulting from an injury, such as falling or being hit in the kidney or bladder. One of the most serious causes of blood in the urine is a tumor in the kidney or bladder.

One of the most common causes of a blood clot passing in the urine is stones in the kidney or bladder. Kidney stones can be difficult to pass and may cause symptoms that include painful urination, pain in the groin, nausea, and vomiting. The resulting urine is often cloudy and orange, red, or pink, depending on the amount of blood in it. Stones can also occur in the bladder, with symptoms that include difficulty urinating despite the urge to do so frequently and abdominal pain. Medical professionals can usually diagnose kidney and bladder stones and may recommend treatment for particularly large stones.

Bad falls may cause blood clots to appear in the urine.
Bad falls may cause blood clots to appear in the urine.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is another common cause of blood clots in urine. The symptoms typically include pain in the lower back and abdomen, increased frequency of urination with a decreased amount of urine, and cloudy urine that smells bad. Patients who do not have any symptoms aside from blood in the urine may be suffering from an injury. Getting hit in the kidney or bladder, for example, can cause inflammation and bloody urine with no other symptoms aside from some pain in the flank or lower abdomen. Patients who suspect either an infection or injury in the urinary tract should see a medical professionals to ensure that the condition is not more serious than they assume.

Blood clots in the urine should be monitored and treated by a medical professional.
Blood clots in the urine should be monitored and treated by a medical professional.

In some cases, tumors in the organs of the urinary tract can cause this symptom. Bladder tumors often cause pain in the abdomen and back, recurrent UTIs, and bloody urine. Tumors may be benign or cancerous, so they should be checked out by a medical professional. The same goes for tumors in the kidney, which could be benign and fairly harmless or indicate renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. The symptoms of renal cell carcinoma also include pain in the abdomen and back and weight loss.

Discussion Comments

ZipLine

My dad experiences this from interstitial cystitis. I'm not sure why IC causes blood clots in urine. I asked his doctor about it once and all he said was that inflammation could lead to some bleeding.

Does anyone else here have IC? Do you experience blood in urine often? My dad hasn't had it for a while since he started his medications. Bloody urine is such a scary symptom. The worst possibility usually comes to mind.

donasmrs

@literally45-- Are you sure that the blood clots are in your urine? Since this happens after your period, could it just be left over blood clots from menstruation?

If you have cramps, pain or odor though, that's a different story. Cramps and pain in addition to blood clots can be due to kidney stones or kidney sand. If there is odor, there might be an infection.

I had blood clots in my urine once and it turned out that I was passing kidney sand. I had a constant lower back pain for two weeks before I passed sand and blood clots in my urine. Thankfully, it resolved on its own. I just had to drink a lot of water.

literally45

I notice small blood clots in my urine for a few days following my period, and then it disappears. Is this normal?

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    • Bad falls may cause blood clots to appear in the urine.
      By: elenarostunova
      Bad falls may cause blood clots to appear in the urine.
    • Blood clots in the urine should be monitored and treated by a medical professional.
      By: michaeljung
      Blood clots in the urine should be monitored and treated by a medical professional.
    • An example of a healthy kidney and one with cancer, which can cause blood clots in urine.
      By: Alila
      An example of a healthy kidney and one with cancer, which can cause blood clots in urine.
    • Blood clots in the urine can indicate a number of problems.
      By: jcreaxion
      Blood clots in the urine can indicate a number of problems.
    • The presence of blood clots in urine is called hematuria.
      By: clearviewstock
      The presence of blood clots in urine is called hematuria.
    • Kidney stones can cause blood clots to appear in the urine.
      By: airborne77
      Kidney stones can cause blood clots to appear in the urine.